Sanjay Dutt shares rare pics of Sunil Dutt on his 97th birth anniversary
Synopsis
Sanjay Dutt marked his late father Sunil Dutt's 97th birth anniversary with rare black-and-white family photographs and a deeply personal note — calling him 'my pillar of strength and my inspiration.' The tribute is the latest in a pattern of public remembrance Sanjay has maintained on both his father's birth and death anniversaries, keeping alive the legacy of one of Indian cinema's most celebrated actor-politicians.
Key Takeaways
Sanjay Dutt shared rare black-and-white throwback photographs with his late father Sunil Dutt on 6 June , marking his 97th birth anniversary .
Sanjay wrote: 'You are and always be my pillar of strength and my inspiration.' Sunil Dutt began his acting career in the 1950s , starring in classics including 'Mother India' , 'Waqt' , and 'Padosan' ; his final film was 'Munna Bhai M.B.B.S.' ( 2003 ).
Beyond cinema, Sunil Dutt served as a Member of Parliament and Union Minister and was known for his humanitarian work.
He passed away in his sleep due to a heart attack at the age of 75 .
Weeks earlier, Sanjay had also paid tribute on his father's 21st death anniversary , calling him 'a rock in my life.'
Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt paid a heartfelt tribute to his late father, legendary actor and politician Sunil Dutt, on 6 June, marking what would have been the icon's 97th birth anniversary. Taking to social media, Sanjay shared a series of rare black-and-white photographs capturing intimate moments between the father and son, accompanied by an emotional note.
The Post and the Message
In his caption, Sanjay wrote: 'Happy birthday dad, I love you and miss you everyday. You are and always be my pillar of strength and my inspiration.' The photographs — some featuring a young Sanjay seated beside his father — offer a rare, candid glimpse into the warmth of their bond, drawing an outpouring of responses from fans and the film fraternity alike.
Who Was Sunil Dutt
Sunil Dutt remains one of Indian cinema's most enduring figures. He launched his acting career in the 1950s and delivered a string of celebrated films including 'Mother India', 'Sujata', 'Mujhe Jeene Do', 'Waqt', 'Padosan', 'Gumraah', and 'Hamraaz'. His final screen appearance was in the 2003 blockbuster 'Munna Bhai M.B.B.S.' — a film that also starred his son Sanjay in the title role, making it a poignant full-circle moment for the family.
Beyond the screen, Sunil Dutt was widely respected for his humanitarian work and a distinguished political career, serving as a Member of Parliament and Union Minister. He passed away in his sleep due to a heart attack at the age of 75.
A Bond Sanjay Has Always Spoken About
Sanjay Dutt has consistently spoken publicly about how central his father was to his life. Just weeks before this anniversary tribute, on Sunil Dutt's 21st death anniversary, Sanjay had shared three old family photographs featuring his father, himself, and his two sisters. '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,' he wrote on that occasion.
Notably, the repeated tributes — on both the birth and death anniversaries — reflect a pattern of public remembrance that Sanjay has maintained consistently, underscoring how profoundly his father's legacy shapes his identity.
Legacy That Endures
Sunil Dutt's influence extends well beyond his filmography. His role in 'Mother India' (1957) is considered one of Hindi cinema's defining performances, and his off-screen courage — famously rescuing co-star Nargis from a fire on set, who later became his wife — has passed into Bollywood legend. For Sanjay, that legacy is clearly personal as much as it is cinematic. As the anniversary tributes continue to accumulate, they serve as a reminder that some bonds outlast even the longest careers.
Point of View
And that loyalty is the real subtext of every tribute Sanjay posts. The black-and-white photographs also do quiet cultural work — they reframe Sunil Dutt not just as a screen icon but as a father, humanising a figure who has been somewhat mythologised. In an era when celebrity grief is often performative, the consistency and specificity of Sanjay's remembrances suggest something more sustained.
NationPress
22 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Sanjay Dutt post about Sunil Dutt on 6 June 2025?
6 June marks Sunil Dutt's birth anniversary, and 2025 would have been his 97th birthday. Sanjay Dutt shared rare black-and-white family photographs and a personal note calling his father his 'pillar of strength and inspiration.'
What did Sanjay Dutt write in his tribute to Sunil Dutt?
Sanjay wrote: 'Happy birthday dad, I love you and miss you everyday. You are and always be my pillar of strength and my inspiration.' He shared a series of rare candid photographs alongside the caption.
What was Sunil Dutt's last film?
Sunil Dutt's last film was the 2003 blockbuster 'Munna Bhai M.B.B.S.', which also starred his son Sanjay Dutt in the title role.
Has Sanjay Dutt paid tribute to his father before?
Yes. Just weeks before the birth anniversary post, Sanjay shared photographs on Sunil Dutt's 21st death anniversary, writing that his father had 'always been a rock in my life.' He has consistently marked both occasions publicly.
