Sanjay Dutt was much more than just an actor. Bollywood fashionista, hairstyle inspiration and a genuine bad boy are just a few of the accolades bestowed upon the actor by the same name. In celebration of his 65th birthday, let’s take a look back at some of the major fashion trends that Sanju Baba set throughout his illustrious career.
Mallet
Sanjay Dutt’s Most Trend-leading Moments {{^userSubscribed}} {{/userSubscribed}} {{^userSubscribed}} {{/userSubscribed}}
There was a time in Indian cinema when you could take two steps and see a poster of an actor sporting the trending mullet. Popularized by Sanjay in films like Sadak (1991), Saajan (1991) and Aatish: Feel the Fire (1994), the mullet quickly became a trend among many Bollywood fans and stars in the ’90s. With many celebrities such as Miley Cyrus and Billie Eilish spotted sporting the mullet, it’s no surprise that the style is back in vogue.
Sanjay Dutt in classic mullet hair (Instagram) Read more about Union Budget 2024 tax impact, key announcements, sectoral analysis and more, only on HT. Read now!
Blonde, Spiky Hair
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Long before Jake Peralta rocked frozen ends on Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Sanjay debuted his short, spiky blonde hair in a few films in the ’90s: Kaante (2002), Munna Bhai MBBS (2003), and Plan (2004) spring to mind.
Sanjay Dutt with short, spiky blonde hair (Instagram)
Leather jacket pioneer
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While the popularity of the leather jacket can’t be solely attributed to Sanjay Dutt, he was certainly one of the first Bollywood actors to make it a part of his personal style. As seen in Daud (1997) and Musafir (2004), Sanju Baba is often seen teaming his kurtas and shirts with sexy leather jackets, which seem to be a staple in the closets of most middle-aged Indian dads who grew up watching his films.
Sanjay Dutt in a leather jacket (Instagram)
Patani Suit 101
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If there’s one style that’s become synonymous with the modern-day Sanjay, it’s the Pathani suit. Baba, who first rose to popularity with films like Vaastav: The Reality (1999) and Agneepath (2012), has been seen teaming simple suits with formal blazers and leather loafers.
Sanjay Dutt in Pathani outfit
Banyan in jeans
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Another trend the star started that was embraced across the globe was the classic banyan and jeans combo. Baba can be seen wearing the sleeveless shirt in an array of films, from his rugged role in Mahanta (1997) to Gumrah (1993) opposite Madhuri Dixit. These were just a few of the avatars that made the banyan fashionable.
Sanjay Dutt in classic banyan and jeans combo
Bodybuilding
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Another trend Baba is widely known for is bodybuilding. Rightly categorised as one of the “original hotties of Bollywood”, he was the first mainstream on-screen hero to have the ideal “gym body” and inspired a generation of fans to hit the gym. Even Ranbir Kapoor, who played Sanjay in the biopic Sanju (2018), revealed that he had to undergo rigorous training to accurately replicate Dutt’s physique for the film.
Sanjay Dutt in his days as a bodybuilder {{^userSubscribed}} {{/userSubscribed}} {{^userSubscribed}} {{/userSubscribed}}
Now at 65, Sanjay’s legacy as a style icon continues to inspire and resonate with fans old and new. Let’s celebrate the timeless fashion journey of one of Bollywood’s most dynamic and fashionable personalities.
