“Hitler On The Set”: Sanjay Dutt Shares How Sunil Dutt Shaped His Early Career

Sanjay Dutt revisited memories of his debut film Rocky, directed by his father Sunil Dutt. He described his father’s uncompromising approach on set, recalling incidents that showcased Sunil Dutt’s strict discipline and commitment to filmmaking.

Early Career Memories

Sanjay Dutt made his Bollywood debut in Rocky (1981), a film directed by his father. During an episode of Jeena Isi Ka Naam Hai, Sanjay shared how Sunil Dutt maintained a no-nonsense attitude on set, leaving little room for improvisation or deviation from his instructions.

Strict Discipline On Set

Sanjay recalled an incident in Kashmir where an assistant mistakenly told him to take a break for food. When he returned, Sunil Dutt scolded him harshly, emphasizing that once he had given directions, they were not to be questioned or altered. Sanjay described this as his father being “like Hitler on the set.”

Emotional Context

The film Rocky was released shortly after the death of Sanjay’s mother, Nargis Dutt. Sunil Dutt initially directed the film but later stepped away due to her illness, with Raj Khosla completing the project. Despite the challenges, Rocky became a significant launchpad for Sanjay’s career.

Legacy Of Discipline

Sanjay’s recollection underscores the values of discipline and dedication that Sunil Dutt instilled in him. While the strictness felt overwhelming at the time, it shaped Sanjay’s professional outlook and remains a memorable part of his journey in cinema.

Key Highlights

* Sanjay Dutt recalls father Sunil Dutt as “Hitler on the set” of Rocky  

* Anecdote shared during talk show Jeena Isi Ka Naam Hai  

* Incident in Kashmir highlighted Sunil Dutt’s strict discipline

* Rocky released in 1981 after Nargis Dutt’s passing

* Raj Khosla completed direction after Sunil Dutt stepped away

Sources: Lokmat, NewKerala, Andhravilas