Actors never die. They live on in the hearts of their fans forever through their body of work. Sunil Dutt who we all fondly remember as ‘Dutt Sahab’ will be held close to my heart for various reasons.
Born as Balraj Dutt in Nakka Khurd, Jhelum district, Punjab Province (now in Pakistan), Dutt Sahab enjoyed his political and movies stint till he breathed his last. Not many know, he had to ditch his birth name, Balraj, on advice of a few directors of the time. Actor Balraj Sahni was already a big name in the filmdom, so many thought a name change could bode well for this newcomer. Eventually, this chocolate boy with no godfather but high hopes of making big in films followed the advice and became Sunil Dutt. The rest is history.
Being an active theatre artist, a film enthusiast and above all a fellow Gemini, I will always regret not meeting, talking my heart out to actor par excellence and a superb human being Sunil Dutt.
What I love about Dutt Sahab
It regret that I couldn’t ever meet this multifaceted priceless gem who put his soul in every character he essayed. On one hand, where the actor amazes me with his path-breaking performances in iconic films like Mother India, Padosan, Mujhe Jeene Do, Yaadein, Khandan, Waqt, Munna Bhai MBBS, his honest and compassionate persona on the other hand won me over completely.
Na mooh chhupa ke jiyo aur na sar jhuka ke jiyo, gamon ka daur bhi aa jaye toh bhi sar utha ke jiyo… These are famous lines from his 1967 movie Humraz. The song resonated with Dutt Sahab’s philosophy of living life with utmost grace.
Life was never a bed of roses for Dutt Sahab but he survived gracefully with head held high. Whether it was his wife Nargis Dutt’s untimely death or actor-son Sanjay Dutt’s involvement in drugs or Mumbai blasts case, a rare human being of his type, the fearless Dutt never got deterred with these tragedies and successfully fought back.
A person of active conscience
Dutt Sahab had always been a person of active conscience and simple beliefs. Every time, I watch his interviews, not only I fall in love with his otherworldly charm, friendliness and brilliant screen-presence but also with his idea of placing humanity above everything.
Behind every successful man there is a woman
Not all men can openly appreciate women who play an integral part in their lives. During his interviews, Dutt Sahab had quoted many a time that women in his lives played a pivotal role in shaping his personality.
It was Nargis Dutt’s humane approach towards life and people that made Dutt Sahab fall in love with her.
My respect for him grows when he proudly said: “Despite being a great actress, she was grounded, very simple and had no airs attached. She had bettered my life and brought happiness in every possible way. She was more popular actor than me when we worked in Mother India but always made me comfortable.”
The true social activist
It would not to be wrong to say that Dutt Sahab dedicated his life for his countrymen who never hesitated to shower love upon him. As per reports, when his daughter Priya Dutt, who is also an active politician, asked him why he needed to be in politics, he had replied, “Politics is the right platform to continue with social work, which could reach out to maximum people”.
What made Dutt Sahab, a people’s person
Sunil Dutt was a people’s person who could get along with almost anybody. Being born on June 6, he was a typical Gemini and would enjoy love and adulation from people around him. Dutt Sahab always looked for beauty in every individual irrespective of any caste. The number 6 ruler, he could easily draw attention towards him.
In a mad race of cut-throat competition, when I see humanity dying, such beautiful souls will continue to inspire many. A very happy birthday Dutt Sahab!
(Views expressed by author are personal)