Sanjay Dutt - Interests / Lifestyle
Sanjay's Interests
- Sanjay loves music, especially rock, heavy metal and jazz, but even blues and soul. At school he had played percussions, he's learning guitar, he is an excellent singer and loves playing DJ. He owns a piano, percussions and an e-guitar (Fender Stratocaster, Led Zeppelin Limited Edition). Adding to that, he is a terrific air guitar player, in such an extend that he even won a championship in the USA (1988). His favourite musicians and bands include Walter Trout, Santana, Guns’n’Roses, Metallica, B B King, Albert Collins, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Deep Purple, The Doors, The Who and AC/DC.
More about Sanjay the singer and rock star please find here.
- Sanjay has a large collection of records, CDs and DVDs. From his own films, however, he only has a few chosen ones.
- Sanjay loves good food, no matter whether Indian, Chinese, Japanese or whatever, and loves to cook his food himself. Have a look into Sanjay's kitchen...
Abhishek Bachchan once stated, "Sanjay Dutt and Ajay Devgn are the best cooks in the industry. In fact, Sanju sir gave me his recipe for Zaffrani pulao, which is a big hit with everyone. He can cook everything." (TOI, 18.12.2011)
Sanjay also created "Chicken Sanju Baba" - a special white biryani with a side dish named after him and served in the Noor Mohammadi Hotel in South Mumbai. (Link 1 - Link 2 - Link 3)
And obviously he shares his mother Nargis's weakness for paan.
(P.S. A little tasty joke from Filmfare Food 2008: "If movie stars were food, Sanjay Dutt would be Hyderabadi Haleem - complicated and not easy to prepare, but if you have tasted it, you will not stop raving about it.")
- Sanjay works out regularly. He has his own gym where he spends several hours a day. Around 1990 he was the first actor in Hindi Cinema making a well-conditioned and muscular body his trade mark on the silver screen. Adding to that, he likes horse-riding, used to play squash extensively, did parasailing, and sometimes on holiday he plays golf, just for fun. He is brand ambassador for the Indian boxing sport and promotes young cricket talents as the owner of the Sirsa Gullies T-10 team.
- Sanjay loves cameras and owns several ones, among them a Canon SLR Digital Camera. Photography is one of his favorite hobbies, and he is a brilliant photographer. Some of his photos from the Lamhaa sets in Srinagar were published in the film's coffee table book. (Once he also loved to paint landscapes; "I used to be pretty good at painting".)
- Sanjay loves nature; he loves locations, loves places which are not explored.
- Sanjay is a computer and technic freak - but he's not net-savvy. That's why he's not on Facebook and only very rarely on Twitter.
- Sanjay loves designer clothes, designer sun glasses and designer watches. He is said to have a large collection of sun glasses and watches. He is known for his perfect style (even got some awards for it), and his fashion passion made him a costume designer for the film Musafir where he designed the look for Anil Kapoor, Aditya Pancholi, Mahesh Manjrekar and himself.
- Sanjay loves driving fast cars and motorbikes. Among others he owns a red Ferrari, an Audi, a Hammer, a Honda Account, a Mercedes and a Porsche (all with the 4545 on the Mumbai number plate). Even the Honda Valkyrie he drove in his film Musafir is his own bike. On Juni 21, 2009 Sanjay became a founding member in the Supercar Club of India which is not to have more than 20 members in Mumbai.
- Sanjay watches regularly the National Geographic and the History Channel on TV.
- Sanjay goes Batman: When the Filmfare 11/2005 asked, "Which cartoon character do you think you resemble?", Sanjay answered, "I guess I would be Batman because like him, I'd like to do away with injustice in society. And I've always been a champion for the underdog."
- Sanjay's vacation advice (Filmfare Travel 2004 and Filmfare Travel 2005): have a good time and just chill. Best in Goa.
- Sanjay's favourite love story is Casablanca: "I've lost count of the number of times I've seen Casablanca. The fact that both of them are willing to lay down their lives for each other gives me goose flesh. You can sense the love and the loss of that love in Humphrey Bogart's eyes when he says, 'Of all the gin joints in all the towns in the world, she walks into mine'." (Filmfare 9/2005)
- Questioned about his favourite book, Sanjay answered, "I just cannot explain what gripped me in Harold Robbins's A Stone for Danny Fisher, my favourite book." He's seen the film version but prefers the book, "Because it's so descriptive and expressive that it drives you into its adventure." (The Times of India, July 17, 2007)
- Sanjay's dream role is, as he often mentioned, Al Pacino's role in Scarface: "Al Pacino's my favourite. He's a super actor. I've made it a point to see all his films, he was especially brilliant in Scarface. Perhaps it's asking for the impossible since films like Scarface aren't made in India but if someone ever conceives a similar kind of role here, I'd grab it." (Filmfare 5/1994)
(Sanjay's favourite films)
- In his youth, Sanjay had a faible for fire arms and loved going hunting. However, that is in the past.
- In the mid-1980's, Sanjay had dreamt of leaving India and becoming a rancher in the USA, a dream which until today never completely left him.
- Even though Sanjay renounced drugs many years ago, unfortunately he never was able to quit alcohol and nicotin...
Sanjay's Lifestyle
Stardust Special "LifeStyles of the Superstars" (2001)
Casual Wear and Accessories: Sanjay Dutt is a-l-l man. To enhance his ruggedness, he likes to wear denim overalls, denim jackets. He also looks good in corded T-Shirts (mostly black) worn over slightly weathered Levis. The only accessory he sometimes uses is a heavy gold chain round his neck. Though a little bird (read designer Anna Singh) whispers that he won’t look half bad in Indian ethnic or casual suits and blazers, being of the perfect height and body shape to be India’s answer to James Dean.
Formals and Evening Wear: Among all the industry guys, there’s no doubt that the two men who look best in formal wear are Sanjay Dutt and Jackie Shroff. “They can carry off any colour, any shade, any fabric,” says Pooja Bhatt. Incidentally, Sanju would do all his formal wear shopping abroad until Rhea took over his wardrobe.
Electronics and Gadgets: Ever since Sanjay Dutt started the trend of setting home theatres, the rest of the industry merely followed, with every star worth his name setting up a proper home theatre system…
(P.S. By the way: Sanjay uses Nokia mobiles.)
Cars and Automobiles: Going by the ‘Space is No. 1 criteria’ we have the rough-and-rugged Akshay Kumar and Sanjay Dutt preferring the tough man’s mean machine – the Toyota Land Cruiser. For the deadly Dutt, “It’s simply a cool car, very powerful and very easy to drive.”
Sanjay Dutt doesn’t mind living on the edge. So it isn’t surprising that Sanju has bought a brand new shiny Harley Davidson, the bike most teenagers grow up only dreaming about. He’s often seen cruising on the same all over Bandra.
Health and Fitness: Sanjay Dutt, on whom rests the mantle of probably beginning the fitness trend in Bollywood says, “The good thing is that when I start working out, the outside world doesn’t exist for me. Then it’s just me and my machines. I don’t even look at the time. I keep working out till I’m ready to drop dead. Also, I don’t believe in maintaining any strict diets while I’m exercising. I firmly believe that you can eat as much as you want provided you are ready to burn it out.” There was certainly a lull when the actor was behind bars for over a year. But later, after emerging out of jail, the deadly Dutt got back to his fitness regime and recreated his almost perfect body. “I don’t believe in taking steroids because they have adverse reactions”, says Dutt, shooting allegations that he takes assistance of wonder drugs to help maintain his physique.
Stardust Special "Style Secrets" (supposedly from 2004)
Grooming Special: Fardeen Khan states, "I cannot understand stars who don't shave, wear shabby clothes and don't comb their hair when they are at public functions. I believe that we as actors have a certain amount of responsibility towards the society." Sanjay Dutt seconds Fardeen's point of view: "There are days when I just don't feel like shaving and keep an unkempt look. But that's deliberate and honestly, it happens when I'm feeling a bit lazy. Otherwise, I have to maintain a clean look all the time. I like to shave and indulge myself with my favourite after shave cologne. That's when I feel really alive and fresh."
Denim Special: "A pair of good jeans looks more classy and macho than anything else," says Sanjay.
Fitness Special: Sanjay prefers to work out with his friends and, when he does so, the music in his private gym is on full blast. "That helps me divert my mind," he says. It was Sanjay who was instrumental in initiating Salman Khan into a regular fitness regime.
Jewellery Special: Among the men, Sanjay Dutt and Ajay Devgan like wearing some form of jewellery, but of the subtle kind.
Shoes Special: Macho machine Sanjay Dutt feels that high-heeled shoes are a must. He says, "I like shoes that look rugged. I tend to wear boots more than formal shoes, and my personal favourites are slip-ons." The earthy Munnabhai MBBS agrees with the sophisticted Khiladi that slip-ons translate into style, and also are high on comfort. "They're light and flexible too," he concludes.
Watches Special: Within the industry, collecting of watches is something worth looking out for. One of the best collections of watches is with Amitabh Bachchan. Sanjay shares the same passion. "I rarely go out anywhere without my watch. It makes me feel incomplete." Sanjay likes the heavy ones - particularly the Constellation kind. In fact, he has an entire series of them and is also an expert when it comes to them. "Actually, there are some precious watches that should be bought from only specific places. Otherwise, nine out of ten times, there is a possibility of you landing up with a duplicate."
Stardust Special "Style Secrets" (2006)
Jeans: Sanjay Dutt is maddeningly in love with his jeans! He says, "I live in jeans 24/7. If I have to wear something else it's only for a few hours and out of compulsion otherwise it has to be jeans all the way for me. Over the years I've had many favourite brands and have bought jeans by the dozens. In fact, my friends joke that my collection of jeans would give the best stores a complex. But I need the right kind of fit. I just can't wear ill-fitted jeans."
Sunglasses: And there are those like Sanjay Dutt whose favourite pastime has been collecting stylish sunglasses over the years. Says the dashing actor, "I have had an obsession for glares from the time I can remember. I have been collecting them from my first trip abroad. In my car there are always three to four pairs on the dashboard. In films I generally wear my own pair. I'm very particular about the brand. The colour of my sunglasses depends on my mood. I love glares so much that once I even did a ramp walk for a business venture of sunglasses that Suniel (Shetty) and I were in partnership for."
Stardust Special "Style Secrets" (2007)
Furniture Special: Imported furniture is the rage of the day. Sanjay Dutt who is known for his finer taste has a special liking for it. “My furniture has been specially imported for me. I cannot pick up what is available in the stores for the simple reason that my home has to reflect me. I have used leather sofas in grey colour at one end of the living room. I have a dining table at the other end. My table is round and has huge chairs. I don’t like much woodwork now. Even my den has black sofas and beanbags where you can just chill while watching a movie. I like to have a lot of space and don’t like clustered rooms,” says Sanju baba. The deadly Dutt prefers a Spartan and minimalist ambience.
Homes Special: Sanjay Dutt seems to be engulfed by the starry sky up above. Quite literally. For the star’s bedroom is on the top floor and his apartment has a section of its ceiling made out of glass to see the twinkling stars above. Where his childhood home (Ajanta Bungalow) was a few years back, stand Imperial Heights today. Sanjay occupies the duplex on the top floor. Health conscious that he is, he has built a gym on the ground floor for everyone in the building to use. “Health is wealth,” he insists. He also has a lift on the other side that takes you straight to his home. “My dad was going to be in the adjoining flat but he passed away a fortnight before he shifted,” he reminisces sadly. Having been partly done-up by buddy Raja Dhody, Sanjay’s house is the epitome of his large-heartedness. The living room is spacious with a huge sofa set occupying the major space. The TV area and the bar are part of the same room, which opens onto a huge terrace. The flooring is different across the house; there are shades of white, cream and even black in certain areas. Sanjay hasn’t compromised on the quality of his flooring at all; it’s the best of the lot.
Bathroom Special: A star’s room reflects his personality. Now that’s a thought Sanjay Dutt emphatically emphasises. Magnanimous that he is, Sanjay’s bathroom showcases this trait amply, what with it being on the top floor of his duplex home, with a glass ceiling to let natural light in and a constant view of the limitless sky. Perhaps watching those twinkling stars actually makes all the difference. As the dashing actor says, “My home reflects my personality; it has been designed by me with the help of an interior designer. Every piece of the furniture; each colour on the walls has been approved by me.” And then he adds, “My bathroom is the most important area. I have a duplex home and my bedroom and bathroom is on the top floor, which is the 12th floor. The ceiling of my bathroom is in glass so that natural light comes in and I get to see the sky. The colour of my bathroom is very light. I don’t like loud colours. I have a huge tub and shower area. I have my basin and all my toiletries are here on the shelves. My hair creams, conditioners, soaps and gels occupy a place of importance. I am not into skin products so that you will never find. And yes it is very clean and hygienic. I get irritated when I enter a dirty bathroom or even if it is wet and clustered. I like space and cleanliness.”
Cars Special: Sanjay Dutt was among the first stars in the industry to get a SUV. At a time when SUVs were still relatively new in the city, he was the only one who drove around in one. The actor even used the SUV in one of his films. Sanjay would often take the car out late in the nights and drive all the way to South Mumbai, getting a feel of the ride.
Health Special: Sanjay Dutt who has the best body in town says, “I wanted to have something that was entirely my own. That no one could take away from me. Seeing your body taking shape gives you the kind of high that few other things can.” Sanju baba cautions that it is very important to start with basic exercising. “You should not start with heavy weights – that can do more harm than good. Once you have a solid base then you can slowly increase the time and the impact of your exercise regime,” says he. “With so much of international exposure via television and foreign films, the audience expects us to be fit now. They expect us to compete with the best,” observes Dutt.
Safe Sex Special: The few reckless moments are what Sanjay Dutt refers to when he says that people aren’t aware of a few minutes of pleasure leading to a lifetime of pain. With Dutt having met a lot of people with AIDS, he can empathise with them, which is why he advices safe sex to everyone. Having seen turbulence up close, Dutt advocates two important things: keeping away from drugs and having safe sex. Why Dutt is more emphatic and forceful in his counsel is because he sees no point in regretting later. “In today’s society, it is better to be safe than sorry,” says the actor. “Whether it is men or women, both should be careful. There is no point in regretting things later. It is not just the fear of AIDS alone, you could just get any other disease or be the carrier of HIV. I advise everyone to have safe sex.”
How metrosexual is Sanjay Dutt?
In February 2004, the Filmfare magazine asked, "Metromania – How metrosexual are our stars?" Sanjay reacted interested and positive: "I think I'm quite a metrosexual guy. Let's check it out."
Caring and Sharing: "It's such a myth that brawny men are devoid of emotions, that they talk only with their fists. It's simply not true. I think from my heart, I do what my heart tells me. I am absolutely and completely an emotional fool. I get hurt very easily and small gestures can bring tears to my eyes."
Stylebhai: "I am a clotheshorse - my designer Navin tells me everything looks good on me. But my identity has been blue jeans and a white shirt or denim shirt. For parties, I just toss on a leather jacket. I personally pick all my outfits. I do most of my shopping abroad but in India, I go to Gabbana. Yes, I do like wearing big brands but that's not a cultivated effort; it is just because brands are particular about the fit and texture of the material. My leather jackets are mainly from Harley Davidson, my jeans are Diesel, my suits are Armani. I'm quite sold on accessoires too. I love belts and they needn't be leather; they could be studded with stones or have something funky on them. I love rings and have quite a few chains and bracelets too. I haven't pierced my ear but have worn clip-on earrings."
Bodyshop: "I've never been conscious about my looks but I am very concerned about my body. I've abused my body a lot in my early days but not any more. With the profession I am in, I cannot afford to be out of shape. But more than that, I believe a healthy body is responsible for a healthy mind. Which is why it is so important to be fit. I eat right and make it a point to weigh myself regularly. And I exercise for over two hours every day. I have always experimented with my hair. If you see my films or photographs you will know what I mean. Right now I have short hair but it is styled and coloured according to the look I have in a film. I use quite a few hair products and skin care products too. I like to be well-groomed."
(Obviously Sanjay inherited some special preferences from his father Sunil Dutt who also was known to look enviably good in Jeans and being fond of wearing bracelets.)
By the way, what about dressing as a woman, Sanju?
"I dressed as a woman because the script required it. I am not one of those guys who love to dress in drag. In this particular film (he doesn't even remember which one*) I had to dress as a woman to enter a women's hostel to woo my heroine Rati Agnihotri. I would not know whether men have a certain percentage of a woman in them or not. I don't have any percentage of a woman in me. Basically, I just dressed as a woman because it was required in the film. I would love to do a film like Tootsie or Mrs Doubtfire." (Ciné-Blitz 5/1996)
*Just ask your fans, Sanju...
It was Mera Faisla (1984).
Body and Style in words and pics
Star Photographer Rakesh Shrestha about Sanjay Dutt
"Sanjay Dutt is wasted in our industry. No one realises just how special he is."
"Sanjay is a trend-setter. Whatever he does becomes fashion."
(Zee Premiere 2/1999)
Sanjay Dutt among India's 50 most stylish men
The Big Style Issue - India's 50 most stylish men
(Man's World 11/2004)
Style pretty much ends and begins with Sanjay Dutt
Style Check: Sanjay Dutt
(StarBoxOffice 7/2009)
Sanjay Dutt in Daud
Sanjay Dutt - Body&Soul
A series of gorgeous pictures (& interesting comments) from the magazine g 6/2000:
Link 1 - Link 2 - Link 3 - Link 4 - Link 5 - Link 6 - Link 7
Sanjay Dutt - Moods and Moments (Nuances)
Filmfare 2/1994, Classics:
"Now, don't cast the evil eye"
"The lighter side of life"
"Wish there was someone to watch over me"
"Hey, mind your language"
"Don't rub me up the wrong way, bhidu"
"And so many more smiles to go"
"This is just the dress rehearsal"
"Baby you can light my fire"
Best wishes, always yours, Sanjay Dutt
Sanjay Dutt's favourite hair stylist is Aalim Hakim
Hakim's Aalim Hair n Tattoo Lounge
Sanjay Dutt in November 2008
