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Sanjay Dutt Biography: The 1993 Arms Case, His Cancer Battle and an Unprecedented 2026
By August 2026, seven months into the year, Sanjay Dutt had already appeared in six films across Hindi, Kannada, Telugu and Marathi cinema, plus an international cameo, a release pace that trade press compared to industry workhorses like Akshay Kumar.
It capped a career that has spanned more than four decades and survived a prison sentence, a 23-year legal battle, and a stage-three cancer diagnosis.
Sanjay Dutt is an Indian actor and producer who has appeared in Hindi cinema since 1981. The son of actors Sunil Dutt and Nargis, he is known for films including Munna Bhai M.B.B.S., Vaastav, Khal Nayak, and, more recently, the Dhurandhar franchise.
Profile
| Born | July 29, 1959, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Indian |
| Occupation | Actor, producer |
| Years active | 1981–present |
| Known for | Munna Bhai M.B.B.S.; Vaastav; Khal Nayak; Dhurandhar |
| Parents | Sunil Dutt and Nargis, both actors |
| Spouse | Maanayata Dutt (married 2008); previously married to Richa Sharma (d. 1996) and Rhea Pillai (1998–2005) |
| Children | 3: Trishala, Shahraan, Iqra |
Early Life and Family
Dutt was born in Mumbai to two of Hindi cinema’s most celebrated actors, Sunil Dutt and Nargis.
He has two sisters, Priya Dutt and Namrata Dutt. He made his film debut in 1981 with Rocky, released shortly after his mother’s death from cancer that same year.
The 1993 Mumbai Blasts Arms Case
On March 12, 1993, a series of 13 bomb explosions struck Mumbai, killing 257 people and injuring more than 700.
The following month, Dutt was arrested at Mumbai airport on his return from Mauritius, charged with illegal possession of an AK-56 rifle, a 9mm pistol, and ammunition that investigators said were part of a weapons consignment smuggled into the country ahead of the blasts.
Dutt maintained he had acquired the weapons to protect his family during the communal riots that followed the demolition of the Babri Masjid in December 1992, a claim prosecutors did not accept as justification under the law.
He was tried under the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act (TADA); a special TADA court ultimately acquitted him of conspiracy in the bombings themselves but convicted him of the lesser offence of illegal arms possession under the Arms Act.
Legal Timeline
| Date | Development |
|---|---|
| April 1993 | Dutt is arrested for illegal possession of arms linked to the Mumbai blasts |
| May 3, 1993 | Released on bail by the Bombay High Court |
| July 4, 1994 | Bail is cancelled; Dutt is re-arrested |
| October 1995 | Released on bail again after roughly 16 months in custody |
| November 28, 2006 | TADA court acquits him of conspiracy charges but convicts him under the Arms Act |
| 2007 | Sentenced to six years in prison; remains free on bail pending appeal |
| March 21, 2013 | Supreme Court upholds the conviction, reducing the sentence to five years |
| May 16, 2013 | Surrenders to serve the remainder of his sentence |
| February 25, 2016 | Released from Yerwada Central Jail after remission for good behaviour |
Addressing supporters after his release, Dutt told reporters, according to the Hollywood Reporter, “There is no easy road to freedom, my friends.” His life and the case were later dramatised in the 2018 biopic Sanju, starring Ranbir Kapoor.
Career Resurgence: Munna Bhai and Beyond
Dutt’s career continued through his years of bail and trial, and rebounded strongly with the comedy-drama Munna Bhai M.B.B.S. in 2003 and its 2006 sequel Lage Raho Munna Bhai, both directed by Rajkumar Hirani.
Following his release from prison in 2016, he returned to major roles, including as Adheera in K.G.F: Chapter 2 and Daroga Shuddh Singh in Shamshera, both released in 2022.
The 2020 Cancer Diagnosis
In August 2020, Dutt was admitted to Mumbai’s Lilavati Hospital after complaining of breathlessness, and was subsequently diagnosed with lung cancer, reported at the time by multiple outlets as stage three.
Announcing a break from work, he wrote on social media, as widely reported including by Asian Age, “I am taking a short break from work for some medical treatment.”
He underwent treatment under oncologists in Mumbai, and family members confirmed by mid-October 2020 that he had responded well to treatment and was declared cancer-free.
An Unprecedented 2026
Dutt entered 2026 as one of Indian cinema’s busiest actors, appearing in The Raja Saab alongside Prabhas as the film’s principal antagonist, followed by Dhurandhar 2 (also released as Dhurandhar: The Revenge) as Chaudhary Aslam, and the historical drama Raja Shivaji as Afzal Khan, opposite Riteish Deshmukh.
By August, trade reports counted six releases for the actor across Hindi, Kannada, Telugu and Marathi cinema within the year’s first seven months, alongside an international cameo appearance, following a 2025 that had already seen four releases.
In April 2026, Dutt, through his company Three Dimension Motion Pictures, and producer Aksha Kamboj acquired the rights to remake Khal Nayak, the 1993 film in which he starred, with Jio Studios set to produce the new version.
Selected Filmography
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Rocky | Lead role (debut) |
| 1993 | Khal Nayak | Ballu Balram |
| 2003 | Munna Bhai M.B.B.S. | Munna Bhai |
| 2006 | Lage Raho Munna Bhai | Munna Bhai |
| 2014 | PK | Supporting role |
| 2022 | K.G.F: Chapter 2 | Adheera |
| 2022 | Shamshera | Daroga Shuddh Singh |
| 2023 | Jawan | Madhavan Naik |
| 2025 | Dhurandhar | Supporting role |
| 2026 | The Raja Saab | Antagonist |
| 2026 | Dhurandhar 2 / Dhurandhar: The Revenge | Chaudhary Aslam |
| 2026 | Raja Shivaji | Afzal Khan |
Sources
- Hollywood Reporter — Bollywood Star Sanjay Dutt Released From Jail
- Quartz — February 2016: Dutt Completes His Sentence and Is Set Free for Good
- The Quint — Explained: Sanjay Dutt’s Long Way Down in the Arms Case
- Dawn Images — Sanjay Dutt to Be Released From Jail on February 27
- Fox News — Bollywood Star Sanjay Dutt Loses Last Court Appeal
- Asian Age — Sanjay Dutt Diagnosed With Lung Cancer
- Udayavani — Sanjay Dutt Responding Very Well to Cancer Treatment, Says Family Member
- Variety — Sanjay Dutt, Aksha Kamboj Acquire Rights to 1993 Bollywood Blockbuster ‘Khal Nayak’
- Zoom News — Sanjay Dutt 2026: Actor Releases 6 Films in 7 Months
Zeez is the editor and founder of BioOrbit, where he researches and writes biographies of public figures from Nigeria and around the world. With 5 years of experience writing about news, entertainment, sports and politics, Zeez focuses on verified facts, clear sourcing and regular updates. Found an error? Report a correction.
