‘Have you become a star already?’: Sanjay Dutt recalls leaving lunch mid-way after father Sunil Dutt lost his temper. What actually happened?

Sanjay Dutt is currently basking in the success of Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge. Directed by Aditya Dhar, the film has broken several records and crossed the Rs 1000 crore mark in India at the box office. While the actor continues to enjoy a strong phase in his career, he often looks back on his early days in the industry, especially his debut film, Rocky in 1981, directed by his father, the legendary Sunil Dutt.

Why did Sunil Dutt shout at actor-son Sanjay Dutt on set?

In an earlier appearance on the talk show Jeena Isi Ka Naam Hai, Sanjay once opened up about what it was like working under his father’s direction. Calling him 'Hitler on set', the actor described Sunil Dutt as extremely strict and disciplined on set. According to him, once his father made a decision, there was little room for discussion or change. Sanjay even compared his father’s working style to that of a strict authority figure, emphasising how seriously he took his responsibilities as a director.



Recalling a specific incident from the shoot of Rocky in Kashmir, Sanjay shared how a simple misunderstanding led to a tense moment. He said that an assistant had asked him to go and have his meal, even though it wasn’t officially break time. Trusting the instruction, he stepped away from the set and went to eat.

However, things quickly took a turn. While he was in the middle of his meal, someone rushed to inform him that his father was calling for him angrily. Realising something was wrong, Sanjay immediately left his food midway and returned to the set.

When he got back, he was met with a sharp reprimand from Sunil Dutt. As recalled by Sanjay, his father said, ""How dare you go and eat when the entire unit is standing here? Have you become a star already?."

The strong reaction left a lasting impression on the young actor.

Later, when Sunil Dutt checked with his assistant about the situation, the assistant denied asking Sanjay to go for lunch, which made the situation even more awkward. Despite the confusion, the incident became a defining moment for Sanjay.

Rocky, released in 1981, marked Sanjay Dutt’s entry into Bollywood and remains a significant film in his career. Directed by Sunil Dutt, the film also carried emotional weight as it was released shortly after the passing of Sanjay’s mother, Nargis Dutt.

More about Sanjay Dutt's upcoming project

On the work front, Sanjay Dutt is now gearing up for his upcoming film Aakhri Sawal, which is slated to release on May 8. Directed by Abhijeet Mohan Warang, the movie also features Amit Sadh, Namashi Chakraborty, Sameera Reddy, Tridha Choudhury and Neetu Chandra. Stay tuned1