Jackie Shroff honours Sunil Dutt & Laxmikant on May 25 death anniversaries
Synopsis
Two legends, one date — Jackie Shroff's dual tribute on 25 May connects Sunil Dutt's 21-year absence and Laxmikant Kudalkar's 28th death anniversary, a quiet reminder that both pillars of Indian cinema share the same farewell day, and that their work — from 'Mother India' to the 'Hero' flute score — still resonates.
Key Takeaways
Jackie Shroff paid tribute to Sunil Dutt on his 21st death anniversary on 25 May 2026 , sharing a classic black-and-white portrait.
Shroff also remembered music composer Laxmikant Kudalkar , who passed away on 25 May 1998 at age 60 due to kidney complications.
Laxmikant-Pyarelal composed music for landmark films including 'Karz' , 'Amar Akbar Anthony' , 'Hero' , and 'Mr.
Sunil Dutt had a film career spanning over six decades , with 'Mother India' considered his most iconic performance.
Shroff's upcoming film 'The Great Grand Superhero: Aliens Ka Aagman' is set for theatrical release on 29 May 2026 .
Actor Jackie Shroff on 25 May 2026 paid tribute to two legends of Indian cinema — veteran actor and politician Sunil Dutt on his 21st death anniversary and music composer Laxmikant Kudalkar on his death anniversary — both of whom passed away on 25 May, years apart. Shroff shared nostalgic monochrome images of both icons on his social media account, underscoring a tradition he has long maintained of honouring film industry stalwarts on significant dates.
Shroff's Tribute Posts
For Sunil Dutt, Shroff shared a classic black-and-white portrait of the actor from his younger years in the Hindi film industry, captioning it: 'Sunil Dutt ji Always in our hearts' alongside the dates '6 June 1929 – 25 May 2005.' For Laxmikant Kudalkar, he posted a monochrome photograph of the composer seated beside a harmonium, writing: 'Remembering Laxmikant ji on his death anniversary.' Notably, Shroff also used the iconic flute background score from his cult classic film 'Hero' — originally composed by the legendary duo Laxmikant-Pyarelal — as part of the tribute.
Who Was Laxmikant Kudalkar
Along with Pyarelal Sharma, Laxmikant Kudalkar formed one of the most celebrated and commercially successful composer duos in the history of Indian cinema. Together as Laxmikant-Pyarelal, they created the soundtracks for dozens of blockbuster films including 'Karz', 'Amar Akbar Anthony', 'Satyam Shivam Sundaram', 'Ek Duuje Ke Liye', 'Hero', and 'Mr. India', among many others. Laxmikant passed away on 25 May 1998 due to kidney complications at the age of 60.
The Legacy of Sunil Dutt
Sunil Dutt, born on 6 June 1929, reportedly began his career as a radio jockey before making his acting debut with 'Railway Platform' in 1955. Over a career spanning more than six decades, he starred in acclaimed films including 'Mother India', 'Mujhe Jeene Do', 'Waqt', 'Padosan', 'Sadhna', 'Gumrah', and 'Reshma Aur Shera'. His performance in 'Mother India' is widely regarded as one of the most iconic in Indian cinema. It was during the making of that film that he met actress Nargis; the two married and had three children — actor Sanjay Dutt, politician Priya Dutt, and Namrata Dutt. Beyond cinema, Dutt was equally recognised for his contributions to politics and social work. He passed away on 25 May 2005.
What Jackie Shroff Is Working On
Shroff is currently gearing up for the release of the fantasy adventure film 'The Great Grand Superhero: Aliens Ka Aagman', directed by Manish Saini, which is set to arrive in theatres on 29 May 2026. He also has 'Welcome to the Jungle' and several other projects in the pipeline.
Point of View
Yet it is precisely what gives Shroff's dual tribute its emotional weight. Dutt's arc from radio jockey to 'Mother India' icon to parliamentarian is the kind of full-life story Indian cinema rarely produces twice. Laxmikant-Pyarelal's output, meanwhile, remains a masterclass in melodic range — from devotional to disco — that modern composers still sample. That both legacies are kept alive largely through peer tributes rather than institutional memory says something about how Indian cinema archives its own history.
NationPress
9 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is 25 May significant in Indian film history?
25 May marks the death anniversaries of both actor and politician Sunil Dutt, who passed away on 25 May 2005, and music composer Laxmikant Kudalkar, who died on 25 May 1998. Jackie Shroff paid tribute to both legends on this date in 2026.
Who was Sunil Dutt and what is he remembered for?
Sunil Dutt was a veteran Hindi film actor and politician born on 6 June 1929, best known for his iconic performance in 'Mother India' (1957). His career spanned over six decades and included acclaimed films such as 'Waqt', 'Padosan', and 'Reshma Aur Shera'. He was also the father of actor Sanjay Dutt.
Who was Laxmikant Kudalkar of Laxmikant-Pyarelal?
Laxmikant Kudalkar was one half of the iconic Bollywood composer duo Laxmikant-Pyarelal, alongside Pyarelal Sharma. The pair created music for landmark films including 'Amar Akbar Anthony', 'Karz', 'Hero', and 'Mr. India'. Laxmikant passed away on 25 May 1998 at the age of 60 due to kidney complications.
How did Jackie Shroff pay tribute to Sunil Dutt and Laxmikant?
Shroff shared monochrome photographs of both legends on his social media account. For Sunil Dutt, he posted a black-and-white portrait with the caption 'Sunil Dutt ji Always in our hearts'. For Laxmikant, he shared an image of the composer beside a harmonium and used the iconic flute score from 'Hero' as an audio tribute.
What upcoming films does Jackie Shroff have?
Jackie Shroff is set to appear in 'The Great Grand Superhero: Aliens Ka Aagman', a Hindi-language sci-fi fantasy film directed by Manish Saini, releasing in theatres on 29 May 2026. He also has 'Welcome to the Jungle' and other projects in the pipeline.
