Weekend

In continuation of my last 2 weekend blogs, in which I had covered life and times of Rajendra Kumar & Shammi Kapoor. So today I am writing about the last of trio

SUNIL DUTT

Actor, social activist and politician. Sunil Dutt wore many hats and excelled in a variety of roles that came his way – both on and off screen.
Born on June 6th, 1929, Sunil Dutt grew up as Balraj Dutt in a family that had survived the Partition of India. A student of Mumbai’s Jai Hind college, he first started off as  host of Radio Ceylon show ‘ Lipton Ke Sitare’ as celebrity interviewer, which led to his first encounter with the Cinema.

Interestingly, wife-to-be Nargis was one of the celebrities he met in the course of his work. Soon, Dutt got a chance to enter the film-world, when director Ramesh Saigal offered him the hero’s role in his Nalini Jaywant starrer ‘Railway Platform’ (1955). He shot to stardom with Mother India (1957), in which he co starred with Nargis as her short tempered son, On the set of this film he saved Nargis from the raging fire, thereby won her love, and they got married in 1958.

During late 1950s, 1960s and 1970s he acted in many  films produced in Bollywood and Southern Film Industry. Some of his notable films of those decades were EK Hi Raasta (1956), Sadhana (1958), Insaan Jaag Utha (1959), Sujata (1960), Ek Phool Char Kaante (1960), Main Chup Rahungi (1962), Mujhe Jeene Do (1963), Gumrah (1963), Waqt (1965), Khandaan (1965), Mera Saaya(1966), Milan (1967), Humraaz (1967), Padosan (1968), Reshma Aur Shera (1971), Heera (1973), Geeta Mera Naam (1974), Zakhmee (1975), Nagin (1976), Jaani Dushman (1979), Shaan (1980).

In the 80s he turned over as character artist or he worked in many multi starrer films. His last memorable role was in Munnabhai MBBS (2003), as Munnabhai’s father, role of which was performed by his real life son Sanjay Dutt.

He launched his production Ajanta Arts in 60s with Yeh Raaste Hain Pyar Ke (1963) and Mujhe Jeene Do (1963). Hu turned to direction with Yaadein (1964) and acted in this film also, this film created a world record which stands even today, as this film had only one character played by him.

He launched his son Sanjay Dutt’s career in his home production Rocky in 1981. Just 3 days before the release of his wife Nargis died of  cancer, as premier of Rocky was already announced, so he kept one seat vacant, which was for Nargis. Later he founded Cancer foundation for need patients in memory of his wife.

After this he reduced acting assignments and turned to social service and politics. He was elected first time to Lok Sabha on Congress ticket from  Bombay North West constituency, which he represented for 5 times. During the height of insurgency in Punjab during late 80s, he took a padyatra (journey on feet) from Bombay to Amritsar to spread message of peace. His younger daughter Priya Dutt accompanied him in this journey. Prior to his death he was Minister for Youth Affairs  and Sports in UPA 1 headed by Manmohan Singh. His political career was halted for few years when his son Sanjay Dutt was arrested for his involvement in terrorist activities during Bomb Blasts by terrorists in 1993, after Babri Masjid demolition.

He died of heart attack on 25^th May 2005 at his residence in Bandra, Mumbai. His seat in Parliament was contested by his daughter Priya Dutt, who was MP from that constituency till May 2014.

Sunil Dutt, was also worked in the era when Hindi film  music was at its best. I anm listing below some of his super hit songs

1 Na Main BHoon, Na Main Shaitaan Hoon- 1957-Mother India (Film)  Mohd Rafi (Singer), Naushad (Music Director)

2 Chand Sa Mukhada Kyun Sharmaya- 1959- Insaan Jaga Utha (F), Mohd Rafi & Asha Bhosle (S), SD Burman (MD). On screen with Madhubala

3 Jalta Hai Jiske Liye Teri Ankhon Ke Diye-1959- Sujata (F), Talat Mehmood (S), SD Burman (MD).

4 Itna Na Mujhse Tu Pyar Badha, Main Ek Badal Awara- 1961- Chayya(F), Lata Mangershkar & Talat Mehmood, Salil Choudhary (MD). On screen with Asha Parekh.

5 Koi Mujhse Pooche Ke Tum Mere Kya Ho-1963- Yeh Raaste Hain Pyar Ke (F), Mohd Rafi (S), Ravi (MD).

 6  Chalo Ek Baar Phir Se Ajnabi Ban Jayen-1963- Gumraah (F), Mahendra Kapoor (S), Ravi (MD).

7  Badi Der Bhai Nand Lala, Teri Raah Take Brijbala- 1965- Khandaan (F), Mohd Rafi (S), Ravi (MD).

8 Ehsaan Mere Dil Pe Tumhara Hai Dosto-1966-Gaban(F), Mohd Rafi (S), Shankar Jaikishan (MD).

9 Sawan Ka Mahina Pawan Kare Shor- 1967- Milan (F), Lata Mangeshkar & Mukesh (S), Laxikant Pyarelal (MD). On screen with Nutan.

10 Tum Agar Saath Dene Ka Waada Karo-1967- Humraaj (F), Mahendra Kapoor (S), Ravi (MD).

11 Mere Samnewali Khidki Mein, Ek Chand Ka Tukda- 1968-Padosan(F), Kishore Kumar (S). On screen with Kishore Kumar.

The above are some of my favourite songs, there are many more but I curtailed my list.

It is said that after the debacle of Reshma Aur Shera, which he produced and directed, his finances were in mess and he was in heavy debt. Then he stopped producing film for some years and revived his acting career with  Geeta Mera Naam, where he played a negative character, and after that he acted in many films and launched his son Sanjay  in 1981. When his son was arrested and was in jail, and he tried his level best to free him, but could not succeed, that time he took leave from politics and did not even contest parliamentary elections.

In the film circle Sunil Dutt was known as thorough Gentleman, during his long career he was not involved with any known controversy. He was willing to help any one who approached him.

In the film ‘ Sanju’ (2018) which was biopic film of his son Sanjay Dutt, Paresh Rawal played the role of Sunil Dutt and Ranbir Kapoor acted as Sanjay Dutt.

Waiting for your views/feed backs/comments.

Anil Malik

Mumbai, India

6^th November 2020.