Priya Dutt, Sanjay Dutt’s sister, is well-versed in cinema despite her political career. She recently shared how their mother, Nargis, sacrificed her thriving film career to focus on family. Nargis prioritised her children’s well-being, ensuring they had the best upbringing.
In a recent interview with Free Press Journal, Priya reflected on her bond with her parents, Sunil Dutt and Nargis. She shared how Nargis willingly gave up her thriving career to raise Sanjay, Namrata, and herself. Priya also recalled realizing her father’s deep connection with people, recognizing that he wasn’t just hers but belonged to everyone.

As the eldest child, Sanjay Dutt was the most pampered in the Dutt household and shared a deep bond with his mother, Nargis. Her untimely death due to pancreatic cancer left a void in his life, as she passed away just before the release of his debut film, Rocky.

Priya also felt the deep impact of Nargis’ passing. In an earlier interview, she shared that, as a child, she was unaware of her parents’ stardom and simply saw her mother as just that—a mother. She recalled watching her father’s film Mujhe Jeene Do (1963) and getting so overwhelmed by his character’s death that she had to be calmed down and led out of the theatre.

Priya fondly remembered watching films with Nargis in Mumbai, especially during Karva Chauth, when her mother and friends would gather at their Ajanta Arts preview theatre. She enjoyed Chori Chori (1956) and Andaz (1949), where Nargis played a modern girl. Priya also recalled visiting Gaiety and Galaxy theatres in Bandra with her mother, watching Sholay (1975), and being both entertained by its iconic scenes and terrified by Gabbar Singh’s presence.