Sanjay Dutt on his resolution for the next decade as he marks his 60th birthday by launching Prasthanam teaser
Sonil Dedhia (MID-DAY; July 30, 2019)

"Age is just a number," says Sanjay Dutt, who turned 60 yesterday. The milestone birthday was marked by several professional highs — if he launched the teaser of his home production Prasthanam, producer friend Farhan Akhtar announced that Dutt will be part of KGF Chapter 2, the sequel to the 2018 Yash starrer.

Thoroughly enjoying the busiest phase of his career, Dutt hopes his upcoming films will showcase how the years in the industry have led to his growth as an artiste. "I have Prasthanam, Panipat, Sadak 2 and Shamshera lined up, and all my characters are different from one another. One of the biggest decisions that I have taken is that I want to play my age on screen. Our roles should be scripted with the actors in mind like they are in Hollywood. Actors like Denzel Washington, Al Pacino, Robert de Niro are playing tough roles, but at the same time, they are staying true to their age," reasons the star, adding that he is also enjoying his new role as a producer.

Prasthanam marks his first Hindi production under his banner, Sanjay S Dutt Productions. While the intense action drama is his home turf, the actor considers the project all the more special as it reunites him with his peers, Jackie Shroff and Manisha Koirala. "I had a great time collaborating with Jackie; I have shared a great rapport with him for so many years. Jackie, Anil [Kapoor], Salman [Khan] and Ajay [Devgn] are my buddies. We would always cheer for each other's films."

It appears to be the season of reunions for the senior actor — Dutt has also joined hands with his mentor Mahesh Bhatt for Sadak 2, the sequel to the 1991 hit. "For me, the biggest high was that Bhatt saab was returning to the direction [with the film]. He has the same intensity and fire that I witnessed while collaborating with him on Naam [1989]. He is a genius."

On Sanjay Dutt’s 60th birthday, filmmaker-friend Mahesh Bhatt pens a letter to the actor
Mahesh Bhatt (MUMBAI MIRROR; July 29, 2019)

Dear Sanju,

When Ingmar Bergman (the iconic Swedish filmmaker) turned 70, Akira Kurosawa (the great Japanese film maker) wrote him a letter for his birthday. In this letter he wrote, “A human is born a baby, becomes a boy, goes through youth, the prime of life and finally returns to being a baby before he closes his life. This is, in my opinion, the most ideal way of life. I believe you would agree that a human becomes capable of producing pure works, without any restrictions, in the days of his second babyhood.”

Don’t ask me why Sanju, but having shot with you for Sadak 2 after being away from the director’s chair for 20 years, I feel exactly the same way about you. You are a man, entering the phase of your second babyhood.

Every time we are about to shoot an important scene, I see you dive deeper and deeper into the wilderness locked in the innermost chambers of your heart and bring out a fire which dazzles not only me but also the younger generation of actors, like Alia Bhatt and Aditya Roy Kapur. Watching you now, I am absolutely convinced that as you touch 60, your “real” work, the work that stems from the “real” you, is just beginning.

Today, the footprints of time, and real life experience, are visible on your gorgeous face like never before. Your life proves that it is by suffering, and suffering alone, that one ceases to be just a mere acting machine. The periods of solitude that you’ve experienced in prison, face to face with suffering, have woken you up to deep love, compassion and understanding.

In this industry, where there are no second acts, you have proved time and again to the world that has always been too keen to write your obituary, that you have the ability to re-invent yourself. How lovely it is to reconnect with you in the ‘Autumn years’ of our lives, Sanju. But as the wise say: Autumn is just another spring.

Happy Birthday.

Love, Mahesh

BOMBAY TIMES (July 29, 2019)

As Sanjay Dutt turns 60 today, he is all set to unveil the teaser of his home production, Prasthanam. The word Prasthanam means a journey. And the film, which is about power, greed, love and human fallacies, showcases the journey that every character chooses to undertake. Set in a contemporary political family, the story of the film is akin to that of the Mahabharata, which deals with complex questions about dharma, morality, desire, right and wrong. Apart from Sanjay, the film also features Manisha Koirala, Jackie Shroff, Chunky Panday, Ali Fazal, Amyra Dastur and Satyajeet Dubey.

Talking about the film directed by Deva Katta, producer Maanayata Dutt, who is spearheading Sanjay S Dutt Productions, says, “We are proud to have Prasthanam as the first Hindi presentation under our banner. The film is an intense, thrilling drama, whose essence will resonate with the Indian audiences. The teaser, which will be unveiled today, is our gift to Sanju’s fans, to thank them for their tremendous love and support throughout his journey.”

Produced by Maanayata Dutt, Sanjay S Dutt Productions presents Prasthanam. The film releases on September 20.

Shaheen Parkar (MID-DAY; July 26, 2019)

B-Town stars are increasingly choosing to celebrate landmark birthdays with fans instead of throwing a big bash for Tinsel town folk. In April, Ajay Devgn marked his 50th birthday by launching the first look of De De Pyaar De. Sanjay Dutt, who turns 60 on July 29, is following suit. The actor will release the trailer of his production, Prasthanam, with fans at a suburban multiplex, which will be followed by the customary cake cutting.

Says a source, "Even though it is a landmark birthday for Sanjay Dutt, he doesn't want to bring it in with a glitzy soiree. He was keen to mark the milestone in the company of his diehard fans, and since the trailer of Prasthanam is ready, he decided to use the opportunity to unveil it amidst his admirers." A remake of the 2010 Telugu film by the same name, the political action thriller stars Dutt, Manisha Koirala, Ali Fazal and Jackie Shroff. Deva Katta, who helmed the original, has been entrusted the directorial responsibility of the remake as well.

Understandably, the evening won't be complete without an intimate get-together at his Pali Hill address. The source adds, "Maanayata knows that nothing makes him happier than spending time with near and dear ones. She will host a dinner for family and close friends."

Dutt's publicist confirmed the news.

The actor who had brought in his birthday in prison for the last three years, made it an occasion to remember this year with his wife, children, sisters and the media
Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; July 30, 2016)

Sanjay Dutt who turned 57 on Friday celebrated his first birthday as a 'free' man with wife Manyata, sisters, Namrata and Priya, and their husbands, Kumar Gaurav and Owen Roncon, cutting the first cake at midnight.

A source close to the actor adds, "Sanjay's kids, Shahraan and Iqra, who go to bed by 9 pm, missed out on the midnight celebrations. So the doting dad made it a point to wake up early the next morning despite the late night before they left for school and cut another cake with them. The kids gifted the birthday boy a card while Manyata gifted him a hot pair of wheels, an Audi Q7. The family then proceeded to lunch with Manyata and all of Sanjay's favourite dishes were laid out. The day ended with a family dinner at the couple's favourite restaurant in Bandra."

However, before calling it a day, Sanjay cut a third cake with the media at 6 pm, telling them how great it felt to celebrate as a free man. "I spent the last three birthdays in jail. Today, I'm glad I can celebrate it with my kids," he exulted.

The actor also took the opportunity to address rumours of a rift with Salman Khan, making it a point to underline the fact that the actor had called to wish him. "He is my younger brother, there is no fight between us and can never be. I had called him too when he got a clean chit in the court cases. I'm happy for him, I don't want anyone to go through what I did," he said emotionally.

However it's not all play and no work for the Dutt who has his hands full. "Marco Bhau, with Vidhu Vinod Chopra, will begin in November. I'm doing a film with Mahesh Manjrekar too which is a remake of the Marathi film De Dhakka. And the next Munnabhai film is expected to roll by 2018," he informed, adding that he has resumed his workouts and is also practising martial arts. "I have also given up alcohol and follow a strict diet to keep fit," he concluded.

Roshni K Olivera (BOMBAY TIMES; July 29, 2016)

Upala KBR (DNA; July 29, 2016)


Says a source close to Dutt, “He returned from Dubai a day earlier, after having celebrated Manyata’s birthday there with few of her close friends — people who stood by them during their tough times. The Dutts flew back on Tuesday as now Sanju wanted to celebrate his birthday among family and friends.”

The source adds that, in fact, the actor wanted to keep it quiet his birthday quiet and didn’t want a grand celebration. “Sanju will spend the day spent with his close family and friends at his Pali Hill apartment in Bandra. Friends have flown in from various parts of the world to be with the actor. Wife Manyata bought the best birthday gift for the hubby — a luxury car, which is all set to arrive at the actor’s residence today.”

The birthday celebrations will begin from morning and be followed by a dinner only with family at a fine dining restaurant — a favourite of Sanju and Mana. “Sanjay’s twins Iqra and Shahraan picked out the birthday cake for their daddy from their favourite cake shop.”

Shaheen Parkar (MID-DAY; July 29, 2015)

Sanjay Dutt, who is currently lodged in Pune’s Yerwada jail, will spend some time with his wife Maanayata on the occasion of his 56th birthday today. Manyata will also be carrying birthday messages from their children, Iqra and Shahraan, as well as greetings from near and dear ones. Dutt is serving a 42-month sentence after he was convicted for illegal possession of weapons in the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts case.

Says a source close to the Dutts, “Manyata has been granted permission to meet him in the morning. As family members can meet jail inmates once a month, she decided to schedule it on his birthday. She will be flying to Pune instead of travelling by car, considering the recent roadblocks due to landslide on the Pune-Mumbai expressway.”

She will be carrying cards made by their kids as they wouldn’t be accompanying her, adds the source. “She will also surprise him with notes from close pals. The other jail inmates have planned a small celebration for him as well,” the insider reveals.

Dutt has spent his last two birthdays in the jail itself. He is likely to be a free bird by the end of this year.

Manyata was unavailable for comment.