Our very own Sanju Baba aka Sanjay Dutt celebrates his 60th birthday today. He has been in the industry from the past 38 years and has seen a lot of ups and downs. The actor’s love life has also been quite colourful, remember in his biopic it was revealed he had 308 girlfriends. But well, today on his birthday we won’t talk about his love life.
Today, as Sanjay Dutt turns 60 let’s look at the most memorable characters that he played on the big screen.
Rocky
In the year 1981, Sanjay Dutt made his Bollywood debut with the film Rocky. His character of Rakesh aka Rocky was loved by everyone and Sanjay’s chocolate boy looks made every girl go weak in their knees.
Sagar / Aman Verma (Saajan)
Sanjay Dutt character’s name in Saajan was Aman Verma, but he used to write songs for Madhuri’s character with the name Sagar. Dutt was shown as a very calm and composed man in the film and his character was loved by the audiences. This movie is also known for his wonderful chemistry with Madhuri Dixit.
Ballu (Khalnayak)
Nayak nahi khalnayak hu main… When we talk about anti-heroes in Bollywood films, Sanjay Dutt’s character Ballu from Khalnayak is surely the one that comes in our minds. The actor played the role of a criminal to T and confidently said, 'ji haan main hu khalnayak'.
Raghu Bhai (Vaastav)
When Sanjay Dutt’s career was at a downfall, it was Mahesh Manjrekar’s directorial Vaastav that gave his career a boost. He played the role of a gangster in the film named Raghu Bhai and it is regarded as one of the best performances of his career.
Munna Bhai (Munna Bhai M.B.B.S., Lage Raho Munna Bhai)
Munna Bhai is a character that Sanjay Dutt will be remembered for in the history of Indian cinema. In both, the instalment of Munna Bhai series, the actor nailed it in both the films as Munna Bhai and now, we are waiting for the third instalment of the series.
Kancha Cheena (Agneepath)
Sanjay Dutt’s look as Kancha Cheena in 2012 release Agneepath was quite scary. The actor portrayed the negative role fantastically and surely made us forget the Kaancha Cheena that was played by Danny Dengzongpa in the original Agneepath (1990).
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire
Rahul Bhatt sparks controversy over 'insensitive' remarks about sisters Alia and Pooja Bhatt
Rahul Bhatt, fitness trainer and son of veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, has found himself at the centre of a social media storm following controversial remarks about his half-sister, Alia Bhatt. In a recent interview, Rahul drew comparisons between Alia and their older sister Pooja Bhatt, calling the latter more talented, attractive, and principled.
The comments, which many have labelled inappropriate and insensitive, have sparked widespread criticism online. During the interview, Rahul stated, “In my opinion, she (Alia) is not even half of what my real sister Pooja is. Not in talent, not in looks, not in terms of being sexy. In front of my sister, she is ‘paani kam chai’ (watery tea). Amongst the siblings, the most talented and the most moralistic is Pooja.”
Social media users reacted strongly, questioning why Rahul would compare his sisters in such personal terms. Several users were particularly disturbed by his reference to their appearance and sex appeal, pointing out that such comparisons within a family cross boundaries of propriety. One comment read, “This is disturbing. Why talk about your sisters like that? It’s not just weird, it’s wrong.” Another post said, “There’s nothing respectful about comparing your siblings’ attractiveness in public.”
The backlash also reignited conversation around a decades-old controversy involving Mahesh Bhatt and Pooja Bhatt. Rahul was asked about the infamous 1990s magazine cover where the father-daughter duo shared a kiss, which had stirred public outrage at the time. Dismissing the criticism, Rahul said, “It doesn’t make any difference. It’s like water off a duck’s back. We know the truth, and we’ve seen everything since childhood.”
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire, with critics saying it reflects a broader issue of the Bhatt family being insensitive to public perception and boundaries. Many users questioned the need for bringing up old incidents in a bid to defend new and equally questionable statements.
As of now, neither Alia Bhatt nor Pooja Bhatt has issued any public response to Rahul’s remarks. Both actors, known for their significant contributions to Indian cinema, have typically kept family matters private despite living in the public eye.
This episode has also sparked debate over the role of public figures in maintaining respect when discussing family matters in the media. Observers say such comments, especially when involving women’s appearance and personal qualities, reinforce problematic attitudes and fuel unnecessary controversies.
While Rahul Bhatt is not as prominent in the entertainment industry as his father or sisters, his comments have made headlines and placed the Bhatt family in the spotlight for reasons beyond their creative work. For many, this serves as a reminder that public platforms come with responsibility, and that family ties should not be trivialised or dissected for attention or comparison.
The backlash is unlikely to subside soon, especially as fans and followers of Alia and Pooja continue to express disappointment over the way the situation has unfolded. Whether or not Rahul chooses to clarify or apologise remains to be seen.