Sanjay Dutt

Sanjay Dutt (Hindi: संजय दत्त; Punjabi: ਸੰਜਯ ਦੁੱਤ) (born 29 July 1959) is an Indian Hindi film actor and politician. Dutt, son of Hindi film actors Sunil and Nargis Dutt, made his acting debut in 1981.

Personal life

Dutt was born on 29 July 1959 to Bollywood actors Sunil Dutt and Nargis. He was educated at the Lawrence School Sanawar. Dutt married actress Richa Sharma in 1987.^[3] Sharma died of brain tumor on 10 December 1996.^[3] The couple have a daughter, Trishala, born in 1989, who lives in the United States.^[4] Dutt's second marriage was to model Rhea Pillai in 1998.^[5] They divorced in 2005. Dutt married Manyata (also known as Dilnawaz Sheikh)^[6] in 2008 at a private ceremony in Goa, after two years of dating.^[7] On 21 October 2010, he became a father to twins, a boy named Shahraan and a girl named Iqra.^[8]

Film career

As an actor whilst he was a child Dutt appeared in the 1972 film Reshma Aur Shera, starring his father. He appears briefly as a qawali singer in his first film appearance. Dutt made his Bollywood movie debut with Rocky in 1981. He went on to act in many 1980's films including Vidhata, Jeeva, Naam and Taaqatwar.

In the 1990s Dutt acted in films such as Sadak and Khoon Ka Karz. He starred in the 1991 movie Saajan for which he was nominated for the Filmfare Best Actor Award. In 1993 he starred in the movie Khal Nayak for which he earned his second Filmfare Best Actor Award nomination. In 1999's Vaastav: The Reality, he finally won his first Filmfare Best Actor Award.

In the 2000s Dutt acted in many films such as Mission Kashmir, Jodi No.1, Hathyar, Kaante, Munna Bhai M.B.B.S, Dus, Lage Raho Munna Bhai, Shootout at Lokhandwala, Dhamaal, Blue (2009), All The Best: Fun Begins and Knockout (2010). During this time he got several more nominations and awards. Now he is all set to make his debut as a producer with the film Rascals, and Khotey Sikkey under the banner of Sanjay Dutt Productions Pvt Ltd.

Illegal possession of arms

Due to terrorist interactions, and supposed weapons possession, on 19 April 1993, Sanjay was arrested under the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities Act (TADA).^[9] He spent 16 months in jail as an undertrial until he was granted bail in October 1995 by the Supreme Court of India.

In November 1993, a 90,000-page long primary chargesheet was filed against the 189 accused in the 1993 Mumbai bomb blasts case including Sanjay.^[10]

In March 2006, when framing muthar charges against extradited Abu Salem and co-accused Riyaz Siddiqui in the 1993 Mumbai bomb blasts case, the prosecution said that Salem delivered 9 AK-56 rifles and some hand grenades to Dutt at his Bandra house in the second week of January 1993.^[11]

On 13 February 2007, the special branch of Mumbai police arrested Abdul Qayyum Abdul Karim Shaikh, a close aide of Dawood Ibrahim and wanted by Mumbai Police Special Task Force for his role in the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts from Mumbai.^[12] Qayuum had been named by Sanjay Dutt in his confessional statement. Sanjay had said that he met Qayuum in Dubai in September 1992 and bought a pistol from him. According to CBI, the pistol was sold to Sanjay at the instance of Dawood's brother Anees Ibrahim.^[13]

On 31 July 2007, Dutt was sentenced to six years rigorous imprisonment for illegally possessing weapons.^[14] At the same time, Dutt was also "cleared of terrorism conspiracy charges in the blasts" related to the 1993 bombings.^[14] According to The Guardian, "The actor claimed he feared for his life after the notorious "Black Friday" bombings, which were allegedly staged by Mumbai's Muslim-dominated mafia in retaliation for deadly Hindu-Muslim clashes a few months earlier. But the judge, Pramod Kode, rejected this defence and also refused bail."^[14] Dutt was immediately taken into custody and sent to Mumbai's Arthur Road Jail. As the sentence was pronounced, Dutt was "visibly shocked and was seen shivering and holding back tears".^[9]

On 2 August 2007, Sanjay Dutt was moved from Arthur Road jail in Mumbai to the Yeravada Jail in Pune.^[15] On 7 August 2007, Dutt appealed the sentence.^[16] Later, on 20 August 2007, the Supreme Court of India granted Dutt interim bail. He was released after Yeravada Jail authorities received a copy of the court's bail order. The bail was valid until the time the special TADA court, which sentenced Dutt on 31 July, provides a copy of its judgment to him.^[17] Dutt was released from jail on 23 August.^[18] On 22 October 2007 Dutt was back in jail but again applied for bail. On 27 November 2007, Dutt was granted bail by the Supreme Court.^[19] He currently has an appeal for an acquittal pending.^[20] In January 2009, Dutt announced that he would contest the 2009 Lok Sabha elections on the Samajwadi Party ticket.^[21] However, he withdrew his candidacy in March 2009 after the Supreme Court refused to suspend his conviction.^[22]

International humanitarian initiatives

On 16 December 2008, he was appointed a Goodwill Ambassador for IIMSAM - the Intergovernmental Institution for the use of Micro-algae Spirulina Against Malnutrition. He will be promoting the use of Spirulina to help the organization's advocacy and endeavor against malnutrition and hunger. His role will also support IIMSAM's efforts to secure the United Nations Millennium Development Goals by mainstreaming the use of Spirulina to eradicate malnutrition, achieve food security and bridge the health divide with a special priority for the developing and the least developed countries.^[23]

Bigg Boss

The veteran actor also hosts the Fifth Season of reality TV show, Bigg Boss on Colors.^[24]

Filmography

Awards and nominations

Actor

Producer

• Zinda (2006)
• Shootout at Lokhandwala (2007)
• Dus Kahaniyaan (2007)
• Rascals (2011)

Television

• Bigg Boss (season 5)... Host

References

External links

• Sanjay Dutt at the Internet Movie Database
• Sanjay Dutt to host Bigg Boss 5!