How Sunil Dutt reacted when Sanjay Dutt told him he wants to be an actor
Mumbai, July 5
While interacting with comedian and actor Kapil Sharma during his appearance on 'The Kapil Sharma Show', actor Sanjay Dutt revealed how his father, Sunil Dutt, reacted when he told him that he wanted to be an actor.
Kapil asked Sanjay, "When you told your father that you wanted to be an actor, how did he react?"
"A slap", Sanjay revealed.
Sanjay shared that Sunil Dutt wanted him to study further.
"What do you think being an actor is easy?," he had told his son.
Sanjay confessed that he actually wished to become an actor as he thought that it would help him escape his studies.
"Okay, so you want to become an actor. Get up at 5.00 am in the morning tomorrow. You will do riding practise", Sunil Dutt instructed Sanjay.
Only after 6 months of being in the movies, Sanjay changed his mind and told his father, "Papa, can I please go back to college?"
It might also be interesting to know that Sunil Dutt directed Sanjay in his debut movie, "Rocky".
Once, Sanjay recalled how his father was like a 'Hitler' on the set.
Sharing an episode from the Kashmir schedule of the movie, Sanjay said, "Dad had already placed the shot, and his assistant came to me and said, "Go and eat your food". When I told him, "But it is not break yet", he said, "No it is break time, go and eat."
While Sanju was having his food in the restaurant, people came running and told him, "Dutt Sahab is shouting."
As Sanjay returned to the set, he got an earful from his father.
"How dare you go and eat when the entire unit is standing here? Have you become a star already?," Sunil Dutt scolded Sanjay.
However, when Sunil Dutt later asked his assistant, "Did you tell him to go and have food?", he simply denied, putting the blame on Sanjay.
— IANS
Reader Comments
The way Sunil Dutt ji tricked Sanjay into learning discipline through riding practice - classic Indian parenting! And that assistant who lied and blamed Sanjay, typical office politics even on film sets. But ultimately, it made Sanjay a better actor. Good story.
I feel for Sanjay Dutt. Imagine wanting to escape studies and your dad is literally a legendary actor-director who makes you work harder than college. But honestly, that slap and the tough talk probably saved him from being just another spoilt star kid. Sunil Dutt was a real father.
The 'Hitler on set' comparison is interesting. But let's be real - Sunil Dutt's strictness was needed in the 80s-90s film industry where nepotism and bad behaviour were rampant. He wanted his son to earn respect, not just get it by surname. Still, scolding him publicly like that? Bit harsh, no?
This is such a heartwarming and funny story! Sanjay Dutt thinking acting is easy and then begging to go back to college 😂. And the assistant blaming him - that's Bollywood drama even off-screen. Sunil Dutt was a legend, no doubt. Miss those days when actors had real values.
What I love is that Sunil Dutt didn't just say 'no' - he gave Sanjay a taste of what real acting involves. Waking up at 5 AM, riding practice, discipline. Today's star kids should learn from this. But one thing - the slap was a bit extreme even by 70s standards. Still, respect for the father-son bond.
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