With the recent news that iconic actor Sanjay Dutt has lung cancer, our hearts sank even lower in 2020! However, when we look back, we can see great moments and memories from his films. Today, we'll take you on a journey through his best films. So get ready to relive those incredible reel moments with us. Some of Sanjay Dutt's most memorable performances are featured below.
List of Sanjay Dutt AKA Sanju Baba's Best Films
Rocky (1981)
The premiere! Sanjay Dutt began his legendary career with this romantic action comedy directed by his father, Sunil Dutt. In the plot, he plays Rocky, a carefree person who falls in love and soon discovers his dark past. Soon after, he embarks on a journey of vengeance, which we thoroughly enjoyed because it was packed with action. Watch this video to see how different our favorite action hero was at the start of his career.
Vaastav: The Reality (1999)
Perhaps Sanjay Dutt's most iconic film from the pre-modern era. Vaastavis is a cult classic that we all loved when we were younger. Raghu, played by Sanjay Dutt, struggles to make a living in Mumbai with his friend. Their quest for money takes an unexpected turn when they become involved with the Mumbai underworld. Reema Lagoo's performance as Raghu's mother, Shanta, is timeless. Vaastav is a journey into the dark side of crime and poverty in Mumbai, and the journey is not without emotion.
Munna Bhai M.B.B.S (2003)
The single most discussed film in Sanjay Dutt's career! Rajkumar Hirani's legendary comedy is rarely found on someone's 'haven't seen it yet' list. Munna (Sanjay Dutt), a unique concept in Bollywood's comedy journey, sets out to bring pride to his parents by becoming a successful doctor. To accomplish this, he and Circuit (Arshad Warsi) go the wrong way by adopting a false identity in order to gain admission to a medical school and obtain a degree. Their journey is a laugh riot, and the college setting adds to the film's enjoyment. Watch it for the iconic comedy scenes that will have you laughing for years to come.
Lage Raho Munna Bhai (2006)
Rajkumar Hirani released the second film in the Munna Bhai series in 2006, following in the footsteps of Bollywood's clichéd formula of sequels for hit films. Munna Bhai (Sanjay Dutt) is sent on a different, yet hilarious mission this time. To woo a radio jockey he falls in love with, he must pass a quiz on Mahatma Gandhi's life. What follows is a riot of comedy, lessons, and some old –warm Gandhi teachings served in a stew of human emotions.
Khalnayak (1993)
Subhash Ghai's Khalnayak, best known for its unforgettable title song, is a crime thriller about a terrorist criminal. Ballu (Sanjay Dutt) is a gangster arrested by Inspector Ram in the story (Jackie Shroff). The ball follows a path of twists and turns, aided by his love interest Ganga (Madhuri Dixit), and you really have to watch this multi Filmfare award-winning thriller to enjoy the ending.
Saajan (1991)
Another Sanjay Dutt classic with great songs, this romantic drama grossed over INR 18 crore globally about 30 years ago! The songs can still be heard in old bars, salons, and small towns, adding to the film's massive cult status. A classic love triangle between Aman (Sanjay Dutt), Akash (Salman Khan), and Pooja is depicted in the film (Madhuri Dixit). Watch Saajan for the teenage love emotions that may come out while you're at it, as it's a case of hidden identity and the twisted path of love.
Naam (1986)
The crime thriller directed by Mahesh Bhatt has been described as a watershed moment in Sanjay Dutt's career. The film was such a success in India that it remained in theatres for over a year. The plot is a straightforward Bollywood one in which a mother has two sons, one serious about life and the other carefree. Once on track, the carefree son travels abroad in search of work, but fate has other plans. Naam is another classic on the list and watching it will immerse you in the retro themes of 1980s India.
Kaante (2002)
The Indian audience adored the action thriller, which featured a stellar cast. The plot follows the lives of six men who are arrested without evidence in Los Angeles. To exact their vengeance on the system, they plan a bank heist that will bankrupt the police department. Kaante, which was inspired by Quentin Tarantino's Reservoir Dogs, played in theatres around the world for a long time and was regarded as one of Sanjay Dutt's best films.
Sadak (1991)
The romantic thriller, which is set to receive a sequel in Bollywood, features some excellent acting from the otherwise action-packed king. Pooja (Pooja Bhatt) and Ravi's (Sanjay Dutt) story immerses you in a one-of-a-kind love gatha that narrates discussions about taboo topics in society. Pooja works at a brothel and is naturally attracted to Ravi, whereas Maharani (Sadashiv Amrapurkar) is the main antagonist of the film. Sadak is worth watching for the mature plot and songs.
Haseena Maan Jayegi (1999)
When it comes to classic comedies, this is one of Sanjay Dutt's career-high points. This is consistently ranked among the top Comedy Hindi films. With a stellar cast, it was the highest-grossing film of 1999. The plot revolves around Sonu (Sanjay Dutt) and Monu (Govinda), two mischievous brothers. When two lovely women enter their lives, confusion and comedy ensue, leading to an amusing journey.
Agneepath (2012)
Agneepath, the pinnacle of Sanjay Dutt's antihero story-telling films, was a remake of the famous retro Big B film. Sanjay Dutt plays KanchaCheena, the powerful antagonist who opposes Vijay (Hrithik Roshan). The plot follows the characters as they engage in a battle of good versus evil. Agneepath was one of the most successful Bollywood remakes ever, filled with family drama and moral quandaries.