SanjayDuttwas an unabashed Mama’s Boy. Mother Nargis was so blinded by her love for her son that she regularly protected him from his disciplinarian father’s wrath. She would tell SunilDutt that their son was sleeping in his room when he was partying all night.
Nargis’ death shattered Sanjay Dutt. She died days before her beloved son made his debut as a leading man in Rocky. A seat was left vacant between Sanjay and his father at Rocky’s premiere to honour the woman they loved the most.
Contrary to popular belief Sanjay Dutt’s debut film Rocky was not a hit. At the most it was an average earner. But R D Burman’s songs specially Aadekhezara and Kyayehipyarhaiare hummed to this day. Funnily Aadekhezara pitched smooth-dancer ShaktiKapoor against two-left-feet SanjayDutt on the dancefloor. Dutt to his own embarrassment, even won the dance competition .
NargisDutt fell fatally ill during the shooting of Rocky. SunilDutt had to hand over the directorial reins to his friend Raj Khosla and look after his dying wife. The two had worked together in MeraSaaya. It was Khosla who shot for the climax of Rocky.
After his mother’s death he went into a deep drugged depression.He was out of circulation for two years and had to start his career from scratch on his return. After a his return he had a string of flops like Johnny I Love You, Bekaraar , Main AwaaraHoon, MeraFaisla. The only film that worked in this period was Vidhaata . But not because of SanjayDutt who confessed he had no idea what he was doing in the film.
Naam in 1986 finally consolidated his position as a major star. Ironically the film was produced by RajendraKumar whose son KumarGaurav is married to him. Naam did not benefit Gaurav in any way but turned Dutt into a superstar.
He played blind in just one film Dushman. His friend MaheshManjrekar wanted to cast Dutt and KareenaKapoor in EkAnokhiPremKahani a love story about a blind man in love with a woman he has never seen. After DushmanManjrekar shelved the idea.
He sang in his own voice in Sanjay Chhel’s Khubsoorat. The song Aeshibani was filmed on Dutt and UrmilaMatondkar. Dutt talks about the song till date. He loves to sing and has recorded a duet with AshaBhosle for a private album.