Jackie Shroff honours Sunil Dutt on his 97th birth anniversary
Synopsis
Jackie Shroff's social media tribute to Sunil Dutt on his 97th birth anniversary is a reminder of a career that ran from 'Mother India' — India's first Oscar submission — to 'Munna Bhai M.B.B.S.', bookending five decades of Hindi cinema's most consequential era.
Key Takeaways
Jackie Shroff paid tribute to Sunil Dutt on his 97th birth anniversary on 6 June , sharing rare black-and-white photographs on social media.
The post was accompanied by the Mohammed Rafi song from the 1963 film 'Aaj Aur Kal' and tagged Sanjay Dutt .
Sunil Dutt was born on 6 June 1929 and rose to stardom with the 1957 classic 'Mother India' — India's first Academy Awards submission .
He reportedly rescued co-star Nargis from a fire on set; the two married in 1958 and had three children: Sanjay , Namrata , and Priya Dutt .
His final film was 'Munna Bhai M.B.B.S.' ( 2003 ); he passed away on 25 May 2005 in Mumbai , aged 75 .
Bollywood actor Jackie Shroff on 6 June paid a heartfelt tribute to the late Sunil Dutt, one of Hindi cinema's most enduring icons, on what would have been the legendary star's 97th birth anniversary. Shroff shared a collage of rare black-and-white photographs on his social media account, capturing Dutt's unmistakable screen charisma from his prime years.
The Tribute
Alongside the photographs, Jackie Shroff wrote, 'Remembering Sunil Dutt ji on his birth anniversary' and tagged the late actor's son, Sanjay Dutt. The post was accompanied by the timeless song 'Yeh Wadiyan Yeh Fizayen Bula Rahi Hain Tumhe', rendered by the legendary Mohammed Rafi. The track belongs to the 1963 film 'Aaj Aur Kal', in which Sunil Dutt starred opposite Nanda.
A Career That Defined an Era
Sunil Dutt was born on 6 June 1929 and reportedly began his professional life as a radio announcer before making his acting debut in the 1955 film 'Railway Platform'. It was, however, the 1957 classic 'Mother India' — directed by Mehboob Khan and featuring Nargis in the lead — that transformed him into a major star. In the film, Dutt portrayed Birju, the rebellious son of Nargis's character. 'Mother India' became one of the greatest milestones in Indian cinema and was India's first official submission to the Academy Awards in the Best Foreign Language Film category.
A Love Story Born on Set
The making of 'Mother India' also gave rise to one of Bollywood's most celebrated romances. It has been widely reported that during filming, Sunil Dutt rescued Nargis from a fire on set — an act of bravery that reportedly brought the two closer. The couple married in 1958 and remained devoted to each other until Nargis's death in 1981. Together they had three children: Sanjay Dutt, Namrata Dutt, and Priya Dutt.
Filmography and Public Life
Over a career spanning several decades, Sunil Dutt delivered acclaimed performances in films including 'Sujata', 'Mujhe Jeene Do', 'Waqt', 'Khandan', 'Padosan', 'Hamraaz', 'Reshma Aur Shera', 'Heera', 'Jaani Dushman', and 'Rocky', among many others. His final screen appearance came in the 2003 blockbuster 'Munna Bhai M.B.B.S.', where he starred alongside his son Sanjay Dutt. Following Nargis's passing, Dutt channelled his energy into public service, later serving as a Member of Parliament and earning recognition for his humanitarian work and commitment to social harmony.
A Legacy That Endures
Sunil Dutt passed away on 25 May 2005 in Mumbai following a heart attack, aged 75. Nearly two decades on, tributes from contemporaries like Jackie Shroff affirm that his place in the collective memory of Indian cinema remains undiminished.
Point of View
Peers still mark his birthday publicly. Yet the tributes rarely surface the full arc: a man who went from radio announcer to Oscar-submission lead to Member of Parliament, all while navigating personal tragedy with uncommon grace. The 'Mother India' fire rescue story has become almost mythologised, but the less-told story is of a star who used his political platform for social causes at a time when few film celebrities did. That combination — artistic credibility and civic commitment — is precisely what makes him an outlier in any era of Hindi cinema.
NationPress
21 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Sunil Dutt remembered on 6 June?
6 June marks Sunil Dutt's birth anniversary — he was born on 6 June 1929. Fans, colleagues, and family members annually observe the date to honour his contributions to Indian cinema and public life.
What is Sunil Dutt's connection to 'Mother India'?
'Mother India' (1957), directed by Mehboob Khan, was the film that made Sunil Dutt a major star. He played Birju, the son of Nargis's character, and the film became India's first official submission to the Academy Awards in the Best Foreign Language Film category.
How did Sunil Dutt and Nargis fall in love?
It has been widely reported that Sunil Dutt rescued Nargis from a fire that broke out on the set of 'Mother India' during filming. The incident reportedly brought them closer, and the couple married in 1958.
What was Sunil Dutt's last film?
Sunil Dutt's final screen appearance was in the 2003 film 'Munna Bhai M.B.B.S.', in which he starred alongside his son Sanjay Dutt. He passed away on 25 May 2005 in Mumbai following a heart attack, aged 75.
Who are Sunil Dutt's children?
Sunil Dutt and Nargis had three children: actor Sanjay Dutt, Namrata Dutt, and Priya Dutt, who also followed her father into politics.
