Sunil Dutt was an Indian movie actor, born on June 6, 1929 in the Jhelum district of present day Pakistan. His initial name was Sunil Balraj Dutt. The actor was married to Bollywood actress Nargis and had 3 children, Sanjay Dutt, the famous Bollywood superstar, Priya Dutt, a former Member of Parliament and Namrata Dutt. Sunil Dutt was a renowned actor, filmmaker and even a politician. He was the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports in the Manmohan Singh Government (2004 - 2005). In 1968, he was honoured with the `Padma Shri` by the Government of India. In 1982 Dutt was appointed as the `Sheriff of Mumbai`.
Early Life of Sunil Dutt
At an early age Dutt was exposed to life`s struggle after the death of his father. His family was headed by his uncle and at the time of the 1947 partition they came to India. The actor previously studied in Mumbai`s Jai Hind College.
Career of Sunil Dutt
Sunil Dutt began working as a radio show host for Radio Ceylon in the early 1950s. He moved to acting in Hindi films and got introduced to the film industry in 1955 with director Ramesh Saigal`s movie "Railway Platform" but remained unnoticed till Mehboob Khan`s "Mother India" released in the year 1957. After working in this film Dutt emerged as an actor to be reckoned. After this success Dutt worked in commercial hits like "Zakhmee", "Umar Qaid" and "Nehle Pe Dehla". He also played the roles of sensitive lover in movies like "Sujata", "Usne Kaha Tha", "Chhaya" and "Sadhna". Dutt was one of the major stars of Hindi cinema in the late 1950s and 1960s and continued to star in many successful films. Dutt showed his flair for humour in the all-time comedy hit "Padosan" whereas he proved himself with an intense portrayal of a handicapped man in "Khaandan" in the 1960s. Dutt turned producer in the early sixties with a couple of offbeat movies like "Yeh Raaste Hain Pyar Ke", "Mujhe Jeene Do" and "Yaadein".
He launched his son Sanjay Dutt`s career with the film "Rocky" in 1981 which was a success. Shortly after the film`s release, Dutt`s wife died of pancreatic cancer. He founded the `Nargis Dutt Foundation` in her memory for the cure of cancer patients. Sunil produced and directed "Dard Ka Rishta" through which he reflected the agony of a family dealing with the scourge of cancer. It was in memory of his late wife Nargis. He retired from the film industry in the early 1990s. He reappeared in the screen again in Rajkumar Hirani"s "Munna Bhai M.B.B.S" where he acted with his son Sanjay Dutt in 2003.
Awards and Honours of Sunil Dutt
In the year 1963 Sunil Dutt got `Filmfare Best Actor Award` for the film "Mujhe Jeene Do". In 1965 he won `Filmfare Best Actor Award` for "Khandaan", in 1967 he won `BFJA Best Actor` for "Milan". He was awarded with `Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award` in 1995 while in 1997 he got `Star Screen Lifetime Achievement Award`. In 2001 he got `Zee Cine Award for Lifetime Achievement`. The actor Sunil Dutt was also awarded with the `Padma Shri`, India`s 4th highest civilian award from the Government of India in 1968. Dutt was a recipient of the `Glory of India Award` by IIFS, London as well as the `Phalke Ratna Award` by the Dadasaheb Phalke Academy in 2005.
Death of Sunil Dutt
Sunil Dutt was a man of nature and an actor worth competing with. The legendary actor died of a heart attack at his Bandra residence in 25th May 2005 at the age of 75.
Filmography of Sunil Dutt
•"Railway Platform" (1955)
•"Kundan" (1955)
•"Ek Hi Raasta" (1956)
•"Kismet Ka Khel" (1956)
•"Mother India" (1957)
•"Sadhna" (1958)
•"Sujata" (1959)
•"Insaan Jaag Utha" (1959)
•"Ek Phool Char Kaante" (1960)
•"Hum Hindustani" (1960)
•"Chhaya" (1961)
•"Main Chup Rahoongi" (1962)
•"Gumraah" (1963)
•"Mujhe Jeene Do" (1963)
•"Nartaki" (1963)
•"Yeh Rastey Hain Pyar Ke" (1963)
•"Aaj Aur Kal" (1963)
•"Beti Bete" (1964)
•"Yaadein" (1964)
•"Gazal" (1964)
•"Khandan" (1965)
•"Waqt" (1965)
•"Mera Saaya" (1966)
•"Hamraaz" (1967)
•"Meherbaan" (1967)
•"Milan" (1967)
•"Padosan" (1968)
•"Jwala" (1971)
•"Reshma Aur Shera" (1971)
•"Heera" (1973)
•"Geeta Mera Naam" (1974)
•"36 Ghante" (1974)
•"Zakhmee" (1975)
•"Nagin" (1976)
•"Darinda" (1977)
•"Paapi" (1977)
•"Kala Aadmi" (1978)
•"Daaku Aur Jawaan" (1978)
•"Jaani Dushman" (1979)
•"Ahinsa" (1979)
•"Shaan" (1980)
•"Rocky" (1981)
•"Badle Ki Aag" (1982)
•"Dard Ka Rishta" (1982)
•"Raaj Tilak" (1984)
•"Faasle" (1985)
•"Dharam Yudh" (1989)
•"Kurbaan" (1991)
•"Yeh Aag Kab Bhujegi" (1991)
•"Parampara" (1992)
•"Phool" (1993)
•"Kshatriya" (1993)
•"Munna Bhai M.B.B.S." (2003)
