Daily Times

Bollywood’s Baba and son of veteran Hindi film actors Sunil Dutt and Nargis Dutt turns 59 today. With the latest release of Dutt biopic, Sanju, the actor has always been straightforward about all the controversies linked with his name. A multi-talented actor, a caring husband, and a loving father, Sanjay Dutt plays countless roles off screen. On the other hand, the roles played by Dutt on screen are worth mentioning.

On this special day, let’s take a look at his 5 most iconic roles that one our hearts.

Aman in ‘Saajan’ (1991)

‘Saajan,’ the romantic drama was the highest-grossing Bollywood film of 1991 with a super hit soundtrack. In the movie Dutt plays a limping orphan and a shy poet who falls in love with a poet, Pooja essayed by Madhuri Dixit. However, when he realizes that his brother Akash essayed by Salman Khan also loves Pooja he sacrifices his love. Even though Khan had the role of the charmer but it was Dutt who walked away with the girl in the end.

Ballu in ‘Khalnayak’ (1993)

In this Indian thriller by Subhash Ghai, Sanjay Dutt plays a notorious criminal, Ballu. He is a terrorist on lose who is wanted by the police for murders and thefts. Ballu is chased by Inspector Ram, played by Jackie Shroff. Khal Nayak is known for its catchy songs like ‘Choli Ke Peeche’, which rocked the 90s.

Chhota Rajan in ‘Vaastav’ (1999)

Sanjay Dutt is quite popular for his gangster roles. He won his first Filmfare Best Actor Award for his performance in this Indian crime drama. The movie is based on the life of Mumbai underworld criminal, Chhota Rajan, essayed by Dutt. The movie displays the ruthless realities of life in the Mumbai underworld.

Murali Prasad Sharma aka Munna Bhai in ‘Munna Bhai MBBS’ (2003)

This film is an Indian comedy in which a local “gunda” (thug) goes to a medical college in an attempt to become a doctor to fulfill his father’s dream. The “Bhai” of Mumbai won our hearts along with his sidekick, Circuit essayed by Arshad Warsi. The movie won the 2004 National Film Award for Best Popular Film, and several Filmfare awards, including the Critics Award for Best Movie and Best Screenplay.

Kancha Cheena in ‘Agneepath’ (2012)

Sanjay Dutt made a comeback with his performance as a dangerous, ugly and ruthless drug lord, Kancha Cheena in Karan Johar’s ‘Agneepath,’ a remake of Amitabh Bachchan’s 1990 film. Kancha’s role was very challenging as Dutt was pitted against Hrithik Roshan, but managed to steal the show.

Published in Daily Times, July 30^th 2018.