Actor Sanjay Dutt celebrated his 67th birthday on Wednesday, 29 July, with an outpouring of affection from family, friends, and fans. Among the most emotionally resonant tributes came from his sister, Priya Dutt, who took to Instagram to share a nostalgic video and a heartfelt message recalling how her brother became the family's anchor during its most testing years.

Priya Dutt's Emotional Tribute

Priya shared a video montage capturing cherished moments between the two siblings, including clips from her reality show appearances. In the video, she could be heard saying, 'He kind of filled that void so beautifully, of a mom and a dad. Hum log sab choti bhene the, bhaiya was the first earning member and everything. And we used to wait, rakhi kab aayegi? And you know, what is bhaiya going to give us this rakhi?'

In her caption, Priya wrote: 'Some bonds only become stronger with time, and ours is one of them. No matter where life has taken us, family has always been our greatest strength, and I'm grateful that we've walked this journey together.' She added: 'Thank you for being the brother you are — strong, caring, and always true to yourself. I hope this year brings you good health, endless happiness, new memories to treasure, and all the love you so deeply deserve.'

Children Lead the Birthday Wishes

Sanjay's twins, son Shahraan Dutt and daughter Iqra Dutt, born in October 2010, along with his elder daughter Trishala Dutt, also penned warm birthday messages. Shahraan posted a photograph of himself alongside his father, both dressed in matching white traditional ensembles, with Sanjay completing the look with sunglasses. 'Happy birthday to the best dad anyone could ask for. Thank you for always being there, supporting me, and inspiring me every day,' Shahraan wrote.

Responding to the post, Sanjay commented: 'I love you and I will always stand by you son.'

The Family Behind the Star

Sanjay Dutt married actress Maanayata Dutt in 2008, and the couple welcomed twins Shahraan and Iqra in October 2010. Prior to this marriage, Sanjay was wed to actress Richa Sharma, with whom he had daughter Trishala Dutt. Richa passed away in 1996 following a prolonged battle with a brain tumour — a loss that, according to Priya's recollection, left the siblings leaning on Sanjay as both a maternal and paternal presence.

A Legacy of Resilience

Priya's tribute carries particular weight given the Dutt family's well-documented personal struggles over the decades. Sanjay's ability to hold the family together through grief and adversity — a theme that has surfaced repeatedly in public accounts from those closest to him — appears to remain as relevant today as it was in their formative years. As he enters his 67th year, the tributes from his children and sister paint a portrait of a man whose family ties run as deep as his screen legacy.