Sanjay Dutt pays tribute to Sunil Dutt on 21st death anniversary
Synopsis
On Sunil Dutt's 21st death anniversary, Sanjay Dutt shared rare family photographs and called his father 'a rock' in his life — a rare window into the personal bond behind one of Bollywood's most iconic father-son legacies, from Mother India to Munna Bhai M.B.B.S.
Key Takeaways
Sanjay Dutt paid tribute to his father Sunil Dutt on the actor's 21st death anniversary on 26 May .
Sanjay shared old family photographs and described his father as 'a rock' in his life.
Sunil Dutt debuted in Hindi cinema in 1955 and starred in landmark films including Mother India and Munna Bhai M.B.B.S.
Sunil Dutt died in his sleep due to a heart attack at the age of 75 ; his wife Nargis had passed away in 1981 from pancreatic cancer.
Sanjay Dutt's next release is Welcome To The Jungle , directed by Ahmed Khan .
Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt paid an emotional tribute to his late father, legendary actor Sunil Dutt, on the occasion of the icon's 21st death anniversary on 26 May. Sharing a series of old family photographs, Sanjay described his father as the enduring 'rock' of his life — words that resonated deeply with fans across social media.
Sanjay's Heartfelt Message
Alongside three archival images featuring himself, his father, and his two sisters, Sanjay wrote: 'I miss you always dad and I love you, you are and have always been a rock in my life, I am honoured and grateful to have a dad like you.' The post drew an outpouring of responses from fans and fellow industry members alike.
The Legacy of Sunil Dutt
Sunil Dutt made his Hindi film debut in 1955 with Railway Platform before rising to national prominence through landmark films including Ek Hi Raasta and Mother India. Over a career spanning five decades, he featured in top-grossing productions such as Sadhna, Waqt, Padosan, Gumrah, and Nagin, among many others. Critically acclaimed performances in films like Mujhe Jeene Do, Reshma Aur Shera, and Yaadein cemented his reputation as one of Hindi cinema's most versatile actors. His final screen appearance came in the 2003 blockbuster Munna Bhai M.B.B.S., which introduced him to an entirely new generation of audiences.
Family and Personal Life
Sunil Dutt was married to actress Nargis, who reportedly owed her life to him after he rescued her from a fire on the sets of Mother India. The couple had three children — Sanjay, Namrata, and Priya Dutt. Nargis passed away in 1981 due to pancreatic cancer. Sunil Dutt himself died in his sleep following a heart attack at the age of 75.
Sanjay Dutt's Upcoming Projects
Sanjay was most recently seen in Aakhri Sawal, a political drama directed by Abhijeet Mohan Warang, co-starring Namashi Chakraborty, Amit Sadh, and Sameera Reddy. He is next set to appear in director Ahmed Khan's ensemble comedy Welcome To The Jungle, which features an expansive cast including Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty, Arshad Warsi, Paresh Rawal, Raveena Tandon, and Disha Patani, among others. The anniversary tribute serves as a reminder that for Sanjay, no professional milestone has overshadowed the personal legacy left by his father.
Point of View
Member of Parliament, father who stood by his son through legal crisis — arguably eclipsed even his cinematic legacy. Sanjay's tribute, stripped of publicity machinery, lands as one of the more genuine moments in an industry not always known for them.
NationPress
11 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Sunil Dutt's death anniversary being observed in 2025?
26 May 2025 marks the 21st death anniversary of legendary Bollywood actor Sunil Dutt, who passed away in his sleep due to a heart attack at the age of 75. His son Sanjay Dutt marked the occasion with a personal tribute on social media.
What did Sanjay Dutt post for his father's death anniversary?
Sanjay Dutt shared three old family photographs featuring himself, his father Sunil Dutt, and his two sisters. In the caption, he wrote that he misses his father 'always' and called him 'a rock' in his life.
What are some of Sunil Dutt's most famous films?
Sunil Dutt is best remembered for Mother India, Padosan, Waqt, Gumrah, Reshma Aur Shera, and Mujhe Jeene Do. His final film was the 2003 blockbuster Munna Bhai M.B.B.S., in which he played Sanjay Dutt's on-screen father.
Who was Sunil Dutt married to and how many children did he have?
Sunil Dutt was married to actress Nargis, who reportedly owed her life to him after he rescued her from a fire on the sets of Mother India. They had three children — Sanjay, Namrata, and Priya Dutt. Nargis passed away in 1981 due to pancreatic cancer.
What is Sanjay Dutt's next film?
Sanjay Dutt will next appear in Welcome To The Jungle, a comedy directed by Ahmed Khan, featuring a large ensemble cast including Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty, Arshad Warsi, and Paresh Rawal, among others.
