Sunil Dutt was an Indian actor, producer, director and politician. He was born on 6 June 1930 in Jhelum, Punjab, British India. He died on 25 May 2005 in Bandra, Mumbai. He earned a graduate degree from Jai Hind College, Mumbai. 

His father’s name was Diwan Raghunath Dutt, and his mother’s name was Kulvanti Dutt. He had a brother Som Dutt, and a sister Rajrani Bali. 

He was married to actress Nargis. They were parents to three children Sanjay Dutt, Priya Dutt, and Namrata Dutt. 

Sunil Dutt’s favourites

His hobbies were listening to music and travelling. 

His favourite dishes were chicken and fish curries. 

His favourite writer was Agha Jani Kashmiri. 

His favourite actress was Nargis. 

Interesting facts about Sunil Dutt

Sunil Dutt was 17 years old when he witnessed the riots during the India and Pakistan partition. 

After completing his graduation, Sunil Dutt worked in the transport department. 

He also worked as a radio jockey in Radio Ceylon, the oldest radio station in South Asia. 

In the year 1955, he was seen in the Hindi film ‘Railway Platform.’

Sunil Dutt gained recognition after starring in the 1957 blockbuster film ‘Mother India.’

Sunil Dutt’s legacy

With many successful projects, Sunil Dutt established himself as a successful Hindi film actor during the 1950s and 1960s. He starred in films like Sadhna (1958), Mujhe Jeene Do (1963), Waqt (1965), Padosan (1967), and Humraaz (1967). 

In the year 1964, he made his directorial debut with the film ‘Yaadon.’

In 1981, Sunil Dutt launched his son Sanjay Dutt with the superhit film ‘Rocky.’ A few months before the release of the film, his wife and actress Nargis died of cancer. 

He established the Nargis Dutt Foundation in memory of his wife for the treatment of cancer patients. 

Sunil Dutt was appointed as the ‘Sheriff of Mumbai’ by the Government of Maharashtra for one year. 

Sunil Dutt’s political career

In 1984, Sunil Dutt joined the Indian National Congress. He was a Lok Sabha member in the years 1989 and 1991. 

Sunil Dutt retained his Lok Sabha seat in the elections of 1999, 2000, and 2004. 

In the year 2004, he was appointed as the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports.

Sunil Dutt’s awards

In 1995, he won the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award for his significant contribution to the Indian film industry. 

The Government of India honoured Sunil Dutt with the prestigious Padma Shri award. 

Sunil Dutt died of a heart attack at his residence in Mumbai on 25 May 2005. 

Sunil Dutt’s filmography

Popular films of Sunil Dutt are Gaban (1966), Parampara (1993), Bhai Bhai (1970), Beti Bete (1964), Ek Hi Raasta (1956), Nehle Pe Dehla (1976), Heera (1973), Dard Ka Rishta (1982), Sujata (1959), Kshatriya (1993), Chirag (1969), Geetaa Mera Naam (1974), Gumrah (1963), and many more.