The legendary Sunil Dutt, who is known for his films like “Mother India,” “Sadhna,” “Sujata,” “Waqt,” “Mujhe Jeene Do,” “Padosan,” and “Reshma aur Shera,” was an actor, filmmaker, and politician, but above all, he was a humanitarian who worked all his life to spread love and happiness.
During Partition, my entire family was saved by a Muslim. His name was Yakub — a friend of my father’s who lived a mile-and-a-half away from our village.
Sunil Dutt
Early Life
Sunil Dutt was born as Balraj Dutt on June 6, 1929, in “Nakka Khurd,” Jhelum, Punjab (now in Pakistan), into the family of Diwan Raghunath Dutt and Kulwantidevi Dutt. Dutt lost his father at the age of five. During partition, the family moved to Yamunanagar, Haryana, before settling in Lucknow, where he spent a significant part of his youth. After completing his early education in Lucknow, he joined the “Jai Hind College,” Bombay, and earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in History (Hons.) in 1954.
Even before completing his education, Sunil Dutt started working on the radio as an announcer at Radio Ceylon. His powerful and charming voice soon gave him his own radio show called “Lipton Ki Mehfil.” During the coverage of his film “Shikast (1953),” two major things happened.
First, he met Dilip Kumar, starting a lifelong relationship with the thespian who treats him like his brother. Second, he got in contact with director Ramesh Saigal, who offered him his first film, “Railway Platform (1955),” opposite Nalini Jaywant. Sunil then starred in Sohrab Modi’s Kundan (film) opposite Nimmi, which was a moderate success.
Breakthrough and Stardom
His breakthrough came with BR Chopra’s “Ek Hi Rasta (1955)” with Ashok Kumar and Meena Kumari. This film starts the long and successful working relationship between BR Chopra and Sunil Dutt, which produced five blockbuster films in the next 12 years.
Sunil Dutt was then signed by Mehboob Khan to play the role of “Birju” in the Oscar-nominated “Mother India (1957)” as the son of Nargis. The role, which was first offered to Dilip Kumar, catapulted him to stardom. The film not only proved to be a milestone in Dutt’s career but in Hindi cinema at large. It also helped him meet his future wife, Nargis; together, they became one of the most iconic couples in Indian cinema.
Next year, BR Chopra cast him in “Sadhna (1958),” with Vyjayanthimala in a story of the rehabilitation of prostitutes. Chopra and Dutt went on to do many films, including Gumrah (1963), Waqt (1965), and Hamraaz (1967).
In 1960, Bimal Roy cast him in the Nutan starrer Sujata about the practice of untouchability. Dutt then starred in many notable and important films, like Shakti Samanta‘s “Insaan Jaag Utha (1959)” opposite Madhubala, Moni Bhattacharjee’s “Usne Kaha Tha (1959),” Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s “Chhaya (1961),” A Bhimsingh’s “Main Chup Rahungi (1962),” Vasant Joglekar’s “Aaj aur Kal (1963),” Nitin Bose’s “Nartakee.”
Sunil Dutt – The Filmmaker
In 1963 he produced and starred in “Yeh Rastey Hain Pyar Ke,” based on the real-life Nanavati case and directed by R.K. Nayyar. The film featured Sunil Dutt, Leela Naidu, Rehman, Ashok Kumar, and Moti Lal in the lead roles. Initially “Ye Raste Hain Pyar Ke” was not a big success. But with time it gained cult status as a tense courtroom drama with a bold and unconventional story. It also have memorable songs composed by Ravi and penned by Rajinder Krishan. The songs “Yeh Khamoshiyaan Yeh Tanhaaiyaan,” ‘Yeh Raaste Hai Pyar Ke,” and “Tum Jispe Nazar Daalo,” since became classics.
Sunil Dutt then produced and starred in Mujhe Jeene Do, a crime drama directed by Moni Bhattacharjee. He played Thakur Jarnail Singh, a dacoit who reforms after falling in love. Waheeda Rehman portrayed Chameli, his love interest. The film touched upon the themes of Love and redemption. It also known for the realistic portrayal of banditry in the Chambal Valley. Mujhe Jeene Do won the Certificate of Merit at the 1964 National Film Awards.
In 1964, Dutt made his directorial debut with the highly unusual and experimental film “Yaadein” (1964). “The film was Indian cinema’s first and perhaps only film where only one actor appeared on screen, and for that, it found an entry in the “Guinness Book of World Records” in the category “Fewest actors in a narrative film.”
Sunil Dutt – Other Work
One more important film of his career was 1964’s “Ghazal,” which brought back his pairing with Meena Kumar. The film is known for its songs like “Rang Aur Noor Ki Baraat,” and “Mere Mehboob Kahin Aur.” In 1965, he starred in Yash Chopra directed the multi-starrer “Waqt” opposite Sadhana. The film had performers like Balraj Sahni, Raj Kumar, and Rehman but he stole the show as a quick-witted and jolly young lawyer.
He played the role of an idealist but handicapped son in the family drama “Khandan (1965),” opposite Nutan. For the film, he won his second Filmfare Best Actor Award. He again paired with Nutan in the reincarnation drama “Milan (1967),” which earned him another nomination for Filmfare Best Actor.
In 1968, he palyed the dim-witted but golden-hearted Bhola in Mehmood‘s cult comedy “Padosan.” The film, also stars Mehmood, Kishore Kumar, and Saira Banu. Padosan went on to become one of the most beloved comedies of Hindi cinema. In 1971, Dutt returned as a director with “Reshma aur Shera,” a highly acclaimed film that earned Waheeda Rahman the National Award for Best Actress.
Some of his other notable films in this period were “Mera Saaya (1966),” “Gaban (1966),” “Amrapali (1966),” “Sadhu Aur Shaitaan (1968),” “Jwala (1969),” Chirag (1969),” “Darpan (1970),” “Zindagi Zindagi (1972),” “Pran Jaye Par Vachan Na Jaye (1972),” “36 Ghante (1974),” “Himalay Se Ooncha (1975),” “Nagin (1976),” “Daaku Aur Jawan (1978),” “Jaani Dushman (1979),” “Shaan (1980),” “Badle Ki Aag (1982),” “Raaj Tilak (1984),” Faasle (1985),” and many more.
In his later career, he mainly starred as a strong character actor in films like Watan Ke Rakhwale (1987), Dharamyudh (1988), Kurbaan (1991), Pratigyabadh (1991), Kshatriya (1993), and Parampara (1993). His last appearance was in Rajkumar Hirani’s “Munna Bhai M.B.B.S. (2003)” with his son Sanjay Dutt.
Personal Life
Sunil Dutt married the legendary actress Nargis on March 11, 1958. The couple went on to have three children: Sanjay, Namrata, and Priya Dutt. After her marriage, Nargis left films and focused on her family and philanthropic work.
I never knew there was a romance. The only thing I knew was that she came into my life. I was not concerned about her past. I know these questions arise. But I am concerned about the person who comes in my life; what matters from that day on is how true the person is to me. The past is nothing to me.
Sunil Dutt on being questioned about Nargis’s past relationship
Sunil and Nargis Dutt formed the “Ajanta Arts Cultural Troupe” and gathered many prominent actors and singers who used to perform to entertain the Indian soldiers at the border. In the aftermath of the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965, Dutt was instrumental in helping Nargis take an active role in providing aid and support to the refugees affected by the conflict.
Nargis’s life was tragically cut short when she passed away on May 3, 1981, due to pancreatic cancer. Sunil Dutt established the “Nargis Dutt Cancer Foundation” in 1981, with the mission to provide affordable cancer treatment to the underprivileged and to support cancer research.
In 1982, he made “Dard Ka Rishta,” a film to promote cancer awareness. He also directed “Ye Aag Kab Bujhegi” in 1991, which was a film against dowry.
Sunil Dutt – The Champion Of Peace
In 1987, at a time when Sikh militancy was at its peak in Punjab, he led a “76-day long Mahashanti Padyatra” from Mumbai to the Golden Temple in Amritsar. This peace march was a bold statement advocating for unity and peace, and it highlighted Dutt’s belief in non-violence and reconciliation.
It dates back to a day in 1987 when Punjab was burning. I read about a spastic girl and her parents being killed in Amritsar. It disturbed me and I decided to march to Amritsar from Mumbai on foot. It was part of Gandhian philosophy that if your people are doing wrong you punish yourself. Gandhiji would fast; likewise, I decided to walk and inflict some pain on myself. It was a way of sharing the pain.
Sunil Dutt
One of the lesser-known yet significant causes championed by Sunil Dutt was support for children with facial deformities. He sponsored the “India Project,” akin to the international organisation “Operation Smile.” The organisation provids medical assistance to children suffering from cleft lips and palates.
Dutt’s concern for the well-being of youth extended to the fight against drug abuse. He took up the cause with vigour following his son’s struggles with addiction. His efforts included raising awareness about the dangers of narcotics and supporting rehabilitation programs. He also worked for causes such as slum dwellers, education, women’s empowerment, and disaster relief efforts. He was also instrumental in setting up schools for children with special needs.
Sunil Dutt was elected to the Parliament of India for five terms from the Mumbai North West constituency. He aslo served as the “Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports” from 2004 to 2005.
On May 25, 2005, Dutt passed away due to a heart attack in Mumbai. Sunil Dutt’s legacy extends beyond his cinematic and political achievements. He was a social activist and a compassionate leader. His efforts in bridging communal divides and working for the youth of the country are well remembered.
Sunil Dutt on IMDB
