Munna Bhai: a man of controversies

Mumbai, July 31 (UNI) From his drug addiction days to his involvemnt in the 1993 bomb blasts case, in which he has been sentenced to six-year RI, Sanjay Dutt has always been the favourite son of contoversies.

The 1993 serial bomb blasts case, considered as the longest trial in the country, drew to a close with the actor being awarded a sentence of six years of rigorous imprisonment (RI) by a Tada Court for possessing illegal weapons under the Arms Act.

Born on July 29, 1959, to legendary stars the late Nargis and Sunil Dutt, he had a turbulent life with the actor getting addicted to drugs during the last days of his mother, who was diagnosed with cancer.

Again, his marriage to Richa Sharma was an equally turbulent affair, with the actress dying due to cancer during his initial 16 months imprisonment in the 1993 serial bomb blasts case.

He made his debut in 1981 in 'Rocky' with Tina Munim, but critics were not very kind to him then. Despite his turbulent life, he succeeded as an actor and continued to stay afloat with films like Mahesh Bhatt's 'Naam', 'Sadak', 'Saajan', 'Khalnayak' and 'Mission Kashmir' among others.

Dutt has been in news right from his drug de-addiction days and also later following his marriage to air hostess-turned-model Rhea Pillai, and his subsequent involvement with lesser known actress Manyata (Dilnawaz Shaikh).

A month after the 1993 deadly serial blasts, his friends--Samir Hingora and Yusuf Nulwala--squealed on Dutt and he was arrested on April 19, 1993 while returning from Mauritius. On May 5, 1993, he was granted an interim bail by the trial court with several conditions.

The actor had sought the bail as he had to complete his films.

On July 4, 1994, after completion of films, the interim bail was cancelled. On July 22, 1995, he was granted special permission to visit ailing girlfriend Rhea Pillai. On September 11, 1995, he moved another bail to go abroad, but it was rejected by the designated TADA court.

On October 16, 1995, he finally managed to get bail from Supreme Court. On October 18, he was released from the Arthur Road Jail after the receipt of orders from the Supreme Court and finally, on November 28, 2006, he was absolved of serious charges under TADA, but his conviction under the Arms Act stayed.

After being down and out for over half a decade, he rose like a phoenix from the ashes to win his first Filmfare award for the Mahesh Manjrekar flick 'Vaastav', which was tauted as his comeback vehicle. Since then, he has given consistent hits like 'Haseena Maan Jayegi', 'Khubsoorat' and 'Daag The Fire' to name a few. He struck gold with his recent smash hits 'Lage Raho Munnbhai' and 'Munnabhai MBBS' not to mention 'Parineeta', 'Eklavya', and 'Kaante'. A sequel to 'Lage Raho Munnabhai' is on the anvil.

In a period of 20 years in Bollywood, he acted in about 60 films and is a name to reckon with. His filmography includes: Yagna (2006) (filming), Shaadi No 1 (2005) (filming), Mohabbat Ho Gayi Hai Tumse (2005) (post-production), Tathastu, Viruddh (2005), Dus (2005), Tango Charlie (2005), Shabd (2005), Musafir (2004), Deewaar (2004), Rudraksh (2004), Plan (2004), LOC Kargil (2003), Ek Aur Ek Gyarah (2003), Annarth (2002), Hathyar (2002), Maine Dil Tujhko Diya (2002), Khalnayak and Vidhaata.

A sympathy wave swept across the country for Dutt following his immense popularity, particularly after the portrayal of Munnabhai, the pure-hearted goon who honestly tries to practice the teachings of the Mahatma.

UNI