Sanjay Dutt - born 29 July 1959, is an Indian Bollywood film actor. A two time Filmfare Awards winner, he is the son of Bollywood stars Sunil Dutt and Nargis. On 31 July 2002, Sanjay Dutt was sentenced to a jail term of 6 years for illegal possession of firearms acquired from terrorist acquaintances, who were responsible for the 1993 Bombay bomb blasts. On August 20, 2007, the Supreme Court of India granted him interim bail.

Sanjay Dutt married thirdly on February 10, 2008 to Manyata in Mumbai.

Biography
Early days
Sanjay Dutt was born to actors Nargis and Sunil Dutt. He has two sisters, Priya Dutt and Namrata Dutt (Anju). He was educated at the Lawrence School, Sanawar, near Kasauli in Himachal Pradesh state. At the age of 12 he made his first film appearance in his father's film Reshma Aur Shera where he had a small role as a qawwali singer.

While he was still in high school, Sanjay Dutt became a drug addict, probably as he was unable to handle the pressure of being the child of two celebrities. His drug problems worsened as did his mother's health, who was already diagnosed with cancer. Nargis Dutt died a few weeks before Sanjay Dutt's first film, Rocky, was to be released. A heartbroken Dutt took to doing more drugs. His father sent him to a rehab center in Texas. After attending a rehabilitation program in the United States, a sober Dutt started working in films again.

Rise as a notable actor
Sanjay Dutt acted in several successful films in the 1980s, including Vidhaata (1982), Naam (1986), and Hathyar (1989). He was reportedly director Subhash Ghai's first choice to play the lead in Hero (1983), but after witnessing Sanjay Dutt in his drug phase during the shooting of Vidhaata, Ghai picked Jackie Shroff in his place. Sanjay Dutt married Richa Sharma in 1987 (a small-time actress discovered by Dev Anand for his film 'Hum Naujawan') who had nursed him back from a lung injury. A year later, the couple had a baby girl, Trishala. Just two months after Trishala's birth, Richa was diagnosed with cancer and the couple separated. Richa moved to United States with her daughter to live with her parents while Dutt pursued his career in Bollywood. Apparently his daughter after mutual understanding with his in-laws chose to stay in USA and is pursuing major in Criminal Psychology[citation needed].

Sanjay Dutt resurrected his cinema career with movies like Sadak (1991) and Saajan (1991). He received his first Filmfare nomination for the best actor in a lead role, for the film Saajan. His breakthrough role came in Subhash Ghai's Khalnayak (1993), which became a huge hit and gave his career a boost. He received a filmfare nomination for the film.

Arrest in 1993
The release of Khalnayak (1993) happened to coincide with Sanjay Dutt's arrest in connection with the 1993_Bombay_bombings. He was charged of illegal possession of bomb vests and ammunition and illegal deals, which were allegedly part of the consignment used in the bombings. According to the CBI case filed in a TADA court, it was alleged that the gangster Abu Salem and his men went to Dutt's house on 16 January 1993 and gave him three AK-56 rifles, 25 hand grenades, one 9 mm pistol and cartridges. He returned two AK-56 rifles, hand grenades and cartridges to Hanif Kadawala and Samir Hingora but kept one AK-56 rifle with himself. The rifle and cartridges allegedly formed part of the consignment, which was smuggled into India at Dighi Port on 9 January 1993.

On learning that Mumbai police were looking to question Sanjay Dutt, his father asked him to immediately return from Mauritius, where he was shooting for a film. On learning of Mumbai Police's investigation about his involvement in the blasts, Dutt instructed his friends to destroy the rifle. The rifle was destroyed by Yusuf Nullawalla, Kersi Adjenia, Rusi Mulla and Ajay Marwah in accordance with Dutt's request. Dutt then called the then Mumbai Commissioner of Police and informed him of his plans to return to India immediately, where he was arrested upon landing.

Sanjay Dutt acknowledged that he personally knew the other accused, but denied the charges that he was involved with the larger conspiracy. He was arrested on 19 April 1993 (about a month after the blasts) and spent more than 18 months in Arthur Road Jail in Mumbai, before being released on bail. During this time, he received considerable support from the Indian Film Industry, as well as his fans.

2006 court verdict
On 28 November 2006, a special TADA court found actor Sonu bhai guilty under the Arms Act of possessing an illegal weapon. Dutt had acknowledged possession of the weapon and had argued that he had obtained it to protect his family during communal riots. He was cleared, however, of the charges of terrorism and conspiracy. Judge P D Kode said of the ruling in the open court, "During my reasoning I have not found him (Sanjay) to be a terrorist." Dutt's bail has been extended a number of times since the ruling and is still in progress. While Sanjay was cleared of terrorism charges namely the TADA Act, one of his friends who transported the AK-56 guns for Sanjay namely Baba Chouhan was found guilty under TADA Act.

2007 arrest
In January 2007, a person by the name of Abhimanyu Altekar filed an Intervener's Application, which opposed Sanjay Dutt's release in the 1993 bombings case. In his application to the court, Altekar argued that there was a great deal of contrast between how a court treated Sanjay Dutt's case and how a court treated a case in which Altekar himself was involved as an accused. In Altekar's case, he had been acquitted by a sessions court, 16 years after he was arrested in a false case of planting a bomb outside the house of a Marathi daily editor in 1990. Altekar compared this treatment with Sanjay Dutt's case and noted that one of the grounds of Dutt's application for seeking time to surrender was that he was the only earning member of the family and also that Sanjay Dutt was on bail for more than 12 years earning enough to make provisions for his family in case of a jail sentence. Altekar also argued that Dutt was mature enough at the time of buying illegal weapons, and did not deserve a reduced jail term. Though the intervener application filed by Altekar was eventually rejected by the court, it nevertheless raised doubt against of prosecution, the State Government of Maharashtra and the Indian Judiciary.

Sanjay Dutt was sentenced to 6 years rigorous imprisonment on 31 July 2007 by judge P.D.Kode. His aide Rusi Mulla, however, was awarded probation and is under observation for one year. The media reported that Sanjay Dutt's arrest put Rs. 1.5 billion of Bollywood business at stake. Sanjay Dutt was also fined Rs. 25,000 and his probation plea was rejected. The actor, who had hoped to be freed under the Probation of Offenders Act, said with folded hands: “Sir, I made a mistake 14 years ago. Please give me some time to surrender." But the judge rejected the plea. “Act till the age of 100, I have only taken away six years," the judge said, even adding that he had liked the actor’s performances in films. Sanjay Dutt’s lawyer, Mr Satish Maneshinde, said the actor would appeal against his sentence in the Supreme Court. "We will appeal against the order in the Supreme Court. He has accepted it with a heavy heart."

A petition seeking bail and challenging the actor's conviction was filed on August 7, 2007 by Satish Maneshinde, Dutt's lawyer. The Lawyer's contention is that Dutt cannot be convicted under the Arms Act because no arms are recovered from him. The Supreme Court accepted the bail petition on August 10, 2007, issued notices to the CBI and deferred the hearing to August 20, 2007.

Yerwada Jail
On August 2, 2007, Sanjay Dutt was moved from Arthur Road jail in Mumbai to the Yerwada Jail in Pune. Some journalists have noted that in 1922, Mahatma Gandhi was also sent to Yerwada Jail (in reference to Dutt's role as Munna Bhai in Lage Raho Munna Bhai which led to the popularization of the term Gandhigiri in India ) . Since 2002, Yerwada jail has conducted a 'Gandhi Darshan' course in "Gandhian principles" which ends with the 'Gandhi Vichar Pariksha' exam. Dutt has agreed to take the course and the exam according to the director of the program, Asim Sarode.

Interim
On August 20, 2007, the Supreme Court of India granted him interim bail. He will be released after Yerawada jail authorities get a copy of the court's bail order. The bail is valid until the time the special TADA court, which sentenced Dutt on July 31, provides a copy of its judgment to him. Sanjay Dutt was released from jail on August 23 and reached his home in Mumbai on the same day. Maharashtra State prison officials said no special privileges were given to the actor during his stay in the jail. On October 22, 2007 Sanjay was back behind bars after spending 22 days on bail and is likely to apply for regular bail before the apex court and also challenge the six years sentence awarded to him by the TADA court.

Later on October 25, Sanjay Dutt approached the Supreme Court of India with a plea for a regular bail. Dutt's lawyer has argued that the apex court should grant him bail on the grounds of his conduct, and that he has never broken law in the past one decade since he was first granted bail in connection with the case.

On 27th November 2007 Sanjay Dutt has been granted bail by the Supreme Court.

Awards and nominations
Main article: List of Sanjay Dutt's awards and nominations

Filmography
Rocky (1981) ... Rakesh/Rocky
Vidhaata (1982) ... Kunal Singh
Johny I Love You (1982)
Main Awara Hoon (1983)
Bekaraar (1983) ... Shyam
Mera Faisla (1984) ... Raj Saxena
Zameen Aasmaan (1984)
Jaan Ki Baazi (1985)
Do Dilon Ki Dastaan (1985) ... Vijay
Mera Haque (1986) ... Prince Amar Singh
Jeeva (1986) ... Jeeva/Jeevan Thakur
Naam (1986) ... Vicky Kapoor
Naam O Nishan (1987) ... Inspector. Suraj Singh
Inaam Dus Hazaar (1987) ... Kamal
Imandar (1987)
Mohabbat Ke Dushman (1988) ... Hisham
Khatron Ke Khiladi (1988) ... Raja
Kabzaa (1988) ... Ravi Varma
Jeete Hain Shaan Se (1988) ... Govinda
Mardon Wali Baat (1988) ... Tinku
Taaqatwar (1989) ... Inspector Sharma
Mohabbat Ka Paigham (1989
Kanoon Apna Apna (1989) ... Ravi
Hum Bhi Insaan Hain (1989) ... Bhola
Hathyar (1989) ... Avinash
Do Qaidi (1989) ... Manu
Ilaaka (1989) ... Inspector Suraj Verma
Zahreelay (1990) ... Raaka
Tejaa (1990) ... Tejaa/Sanjay
Khatarnaak (1990) ... Suraj 'Sunny'
Jeene Do (1990)
Krodh (1990) ... Vijay (Munna)
Thanedaar (1990) ... Brijesh Chandar (Birju)
Yodha (1991) ... Suraj Singh
Sadak (1991) ... Ravi
Qurbani Rang Layegi (1991) ... Raj Kishen
Khoon Ka Karz (1991)
Fateh (1991)
Do Matwale (1991) ... Ajay Jamesbond 009
Saajan (1991) ... Aman Verma/Sagar
Jeena Marna Tere Sang' (1992)
Adharm (1992) ... Vicky Verma
Sahebzaade (1992) ... Raja
Sarphira (1992) ... Suresh Sinha
Yalgaar (1992) ... Vishal Singhal
Sahibaan (1993) ... Prince Vijay Pal Singh
Khal Nayak (1993) ... Balaram Prasad "Ballu"
Kshatriya (1993) ... Vikram Singh (Mirtagarh)
Gumrah (1993) ... Jagan Nath (Jaggu)
Zamane Se Kya Darna (1994)
Insaaf Apne Lahoo Se (1994) ... Rajoo
Aatish (1994) ... Baba
Amaanat (1994) ... Vijay
Jai Vikraanta (1995) ... Vikranta
Andolan (1995) ... Adarsh
Namak (1996)
Vijeta (1996) ... Ashok
Sanam (1997) ... Narendra Anand
Mahaanta (1997) ... Sanjay 'Sanju' Malhotra
Dus (1997) ... Captain Raja Seti (Incomplete)
Daud (1997) ... Nandu
Dushman (1998) ... Major Suraj Singh Rathod
Daag: The Fire (1999) ... Captain Karan Singh
Kartoos (1999) ... Raja/Jeet Balraj
Safari (1999) ... Captain Kishan
Haseena Maan Jaayegi (1999) ... Sonu
Vaastav: The Reality (1999) ... Raghunath Namdev Shivalkar, Winner for Best Actor
Khoobsurat (1999) ... Sanju (Sanjay Shastri)
Khauff (2000) ... Anthony/Vicky/Babu
Baaghi (2000) ... Raja
Chal Mere Bhai (2000) ... Vicky Oberoi
Jung (2000) ... Balli
Mission Kashmir (2000) ... SSP Inayat Khan , Winner for Critics Best Actor
Kurukshetra (2000) ... A.C.P Prithviraj Singh
Raju Chacha' (2000) ... Gafoor
Jodi No.1 (2001) ... Jai
Pitaah (2002) ... Rudra
Hum Kisi Se Kum Nahin (2002) ... Munna Bhai
Yeh Hai Jalwa (2002) (uncredited) ... Shera (special appearance)
Maine Dil Tujhko Diya (2002) ... Bhai-Jaan
Hathyar (2002) ... Rohit Raghunath Shivalkar/Raghunath Namdev Shivalkar
Annarth (2002) ... Iqbal Danger
Kaante (2002) ... Jay Rehan 'Ajju'
Ek Aur Ek Gyarah (2003) ... Sitara
LOC Kargil (2003) ... Lt. Col. Y.K. Joshi
Munnabhai M.B.B.S. (2003) ... Murli Prasad Sharma (Munna Bhai), Winner for Best Comedian
Plan (2004) ... Mussabhai
Rudraksh (2004) ... Varun
Deewaar (2004) ... Khan
Rakht: What If You Can See the Future (2004) ... Rahul
Musafir (2004) ... Billa
Shabd (2005) ... Shaukat Vashisht
Tango Charlie (2005) ... Squadron Leader Vikram Rathore
Parineeta (2005) ... Girish Babu
Dus (2005) ... S Dheer
Viruddh... Family Comes First (2005) ... Ali
Shaadi No. 1 (2005) ... Lukhwinder Singh (Lucky)
Ek Ajnabee (2005) ... Special Appearance (Song)
Vaah! Life Ho Toh Aisi! (2005) ... Yamaraj M.A.
Zinda (2006) ... Balajeet Roy
Tathastu (2006) ... Ravi Rajput
Anthony Kaun Hai (2006) ... Master Madan
Lage Raho Munna Bhai (2006) ... Murli Prasad Sharma (Munna Bhai)
Eklavya: The Royal Guard (2007) ... Pannalal Chohaar (inspector)
Nehlle Pe Dehlla (2007) ... Johnny
Sarhad Paar (2007) ... Ranjeet Singh
Shootout at Lokhandwala (2007) ... Shamsher Khan
Dhamaal (2007) ....Kabir Nayak
Om Shanti Om (2007) ... Special appearance in song, Deewangi Deewangi
Dus Kahaniyan(2007) ... Baba

Forthcoming
Woodstock Villa ( Special Appearance in item number "Kyun") (Released in May 23)
Mehbooba ( Under Production) (Released in June 6)
Mohabbat Ho gaye Tumse (2008) (post-production)
Munna Bhai Chale Amerika (2008) (announced) ... Rajkumar Hirani
Baseera (2008) (Announced) ... Anushaye K XBOX Pictures
Blue ...
EMI ( Under Production) ( 2008) Sattarbhai
Alladin and the Mystery of the lamp ( Under Production) (November 2008)
Seven ( 2008)
Kidnap (Under Production) ( Released in August 22)
Gangs of London ( Announced)(2009)