Sunil Dutt (6 June 1929 – 25 May 2005) was an Indian actor, filmmaker and politician. He starred in classics such as Mother India, Waqt and Padosan, married his Mother India co-star Nargis, and later served five terms as a Member of Parliament from Mumbai and as Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports.
Quick Facts
| Birth name | Balraj Dutt |
| Born | 6 June 1929, Khurd, Jhelum district, Punjab (now in Pakistan) |
| Died | 25 May 2005, Mumbai (aged 75) |
| Profession | Actor, director, producer, politician |
| Spouse | Nargis (m. 1958; d. 1981) |
| Children | Sanjay Dutt, Namrata, Priya Dutt |
| Political office | MP for Mumbai North West (5 terms); Union Sports Minister (2004–2005) |
| Honour | Padma Shri (1968) |
Early Life
Sunil Dutt was born in western Punjab, now in Pakistan, and lost his father as a child. During Partition his family fled to India. He studied at Jai Hind College in Bombay and worked as a radio announcer on Radio Ceylon before entering films.
Film Career
Dutt made his debut in Railway Platform (1955). He became famous as Birju, the rebellious son, in Mother India (1957). He went on to star in hits such as:
His experimental film Yaadein (1964), in which he was the only actor on screen, won a National Film Award. He directed and starred in Reshma Aur Shera (1971). In 1981 he launched his son Sanjay in Rocky.
Political Career
Dutt joined the Congress and was elected five times from the Mumbai North West Lok Sabha seat, starting in 1984. He was known for peace marches, including a walk from Mumbai to Amritsar in 1987 during the Punjab crisis. In 2004 he became Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports in Manmohan Singh‘s government.
Personal Life and Death
Dutt famously rescued Nargis from a fire on the set of Mother India, and they married in 1958. After her death from cancer in 1981, he founded the Nargis Dutt Memorial Cancer Foundation. Their daughter Priya Dutt also became an MP. Sunil Dutt died of a heart attack at his Mumbai home on 25 May 2005, while still serving as a minister.
Selected Filmography
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where was Sunil Dutt born?
Sunil Dutt was born on 6 June 1929 in Khurd, Jhelum district, Punjab (now in Pakistan).
When did Sunil Dutt die?
Died: 25 May 2005, Mumbai (aged 75).
