In the film industry, box office numbers often shape an actor’s perceived star power. For Sanjay Dutt, it has done beyond that. The actor has always been a star, but his presence in recent films has also established that star-status at the box office. Case in point: being the only Bollywood star with three Rs 1,000 grossers at the worldwide box office.
Only a few have managed to stay consistently relevant across eras, like Dutt. While he may not headline films as frequently as some of his contemporaries today, his presence in big-ticket projects continues to make a strong impact. Over the past few years, the 66-year-old has quietly built an impressive streak of films that have crossed the Rs 1,000 crore mark globally, often in powerful supporting or antagonist roles.
The run began with KGF: Chapter 2 (2022), where Dutt played the menacing Adheera. His towering screen presence and deep voice added gravitas to the film, which went on to gross around Rs 1,215 crore worldwide.
He followed this with Jawan, starring Shah Rukh Khan, where he appeared in a key supporting role. The high-octane action drama emerged as one of the biggest hits of its time, crossing the Rs 1,160 crore mark globally.
Then came Dhurandhar. Dutt featured in the Aditya Dhar directorial, led by Ranveer Singh. In the espionage thriller, he took on a formidable antagonist’s role, drawing attention for his intense performance. The film went on to surpass Rs 1,300 crore worldwide, further strengthening his box office streak.
More recently, Dutt featured in Dhurandhar: The Revenge, the sequel to Dhurandhar. In the espionage thriller, he plays SP Chaudhary Aslam. His performance in the film has drawn attention, even as it continues a strong box office run earning Rs 919 crore so far and inching towards the Rs 1,000 crore mark, which would further extend Dutt’s impressive streak.
With four consecutive films in the Rs 1,000 crore club (if you include the brief Jawan role, and the fact that Dhurandhar 2 is almost there), Dutt’s run highlights how impactful performances in supporting roles can still command massive audience attention.
More than just numbers, Dutt’s recent filmography underlines his enduring screen presence, one that continues to resonate with audiences, regardless of the size of the role.
