Sanju (2018) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Sanju began experimenting with drugs after being persuaded by his friend Zubin while filming 'Rocky' in 1981. His addiction escalated dramatically when he learned his mother Nargis was battling cancer and needed treatment in New York, sending him into a downward spiral of alcoholism and drug dependency.

Foreshadowing: The film establishes early that Sanju was bound by his father Sunil's strict rules, creating tension that Zubin exploits.

• drug addiction
• sanjay dutt
• zubin
• nargis cancer
• rocky film

Kamlesh persuaded Ruby to marry Sanju at a registrar's office in an attempt to save their relationship. However, after witnessing Sanju in his intoxicated state on their wedding day, Ruby walked away, leaving him heartbroken.

Foreshadowing: Ruby's family had already been pushing her toward an arranged marriage due to Sanju's destructive habits.

• ruby
• sanjay dutt marriage
• sonam kapoor
• addiction consequences

Following the 1992 Babri Masjid demolition, political turbulence erupted across India. Fearing for his family's safety amid the violence and chaos, Sanju acquired illegal weapons for their protection, which led to his 1993 arrest for firearms possession.

Foreshadowing: The film establishes the dangerous political climate of early 1990s India as a backdrop to this decision.

• 1993 arrest
• babri Masjid
• illegal weapons
• d-company
• arms act

After Sunil Dutt secured bail following 452 days in custody, media allegations severely tarnished Sanju's reputation. Even Kamlesh, who had been his closest friend during addiction recovery, severed ties, convinced of Sanju's guilt in the arms case despite his innocence claims.

Foreshadowing: The film shows how media persecution affects not just Sanju but his entire family and relationships.

• kamlesh
• vicky kaushal
• media allegations
• friend breakup
• sanjay dutt prison

Sanju was arrested in 1993 for possession of firearms allegedly supplied by the D-Company, the organized crime syndicate. He was not accused of involvement in the actual Bombay bombings themselves, but rather for illegal possession of weapons. The Bombay High Court later sentenced him to five years under the Arms Act.

Foreshadowing: The timeline shows this arrest directly following the political chaos of the Babri Masjid demolition.

• 1993 bombay bombings
• arms act
• d-company
• arrest
• sanjay dutt conviction

After his release in 1997, Sanju faced a string of unsuccessful films. His role in 'Munna Bhai M.B.B.S.' in 2003 was a massive breakthrough that revitalized his public image and brought pride to his father Sunil Dutt, who passed away shortly after seeing his son's success.

Foreshadowing: The film builds toward this redemption moment as Sanju's path to reclaiming his life and reputation.

• munna bhai mbbs
• career revival
• sunil dutt
• 2003
• box office success

After Sanju's 2013 conviction and imprisonment, Manyata Dutt reached out to writer Winnie Diaz in London. She believed the world only knew Sanju through media narratives and wanted Winnie's biography to provide his perspective, giving audiences a different understanding of his struggles and resilience.

Foreshadowing: The film frames the entire narrative through Winnie's investigation into Sanju's life.

• manyata
• dia mirza
• winnie diaz
• biography
• kuch toh log kahenge

Sunil Dutt passed away shortly after witnessing Sanju's career revival in 'Munna Bhai M.B.B.S.' in 2003. His death was particularly devastating for Sanju, who had already lost his mother Nargis just before 'Rocky' released. Sunil had fought tirelessly for his son, securing bail after 452 days in prison.

Foreshadowing: The film establishes Sunil as Sanju's greatest protector and supporter throughout his struggles.

• sunil dutt death
• 2003
• father death
• nargis
• mumbai

The Bombay High Court found Sanju guilty under the Possession of Arms Act for his 1993 firearms case, leading to another arrest in 2013. Despite Sanju's insistence on his innocence regarding the broader implications, the Supreme Court upheld the conviction. He was eventually released in 2016.

Foreshadowing: This connects directly back to the weapons acquisition during the 1992 political turmoil.

• 2013 arrest
• supreme court
• arms act conviction
• prison sentence

Zubin Mistry was an old friend who persuaded young Sanju to experiment with drugs on the set of 'Rocky.' Later, Zubin exploited Sanju's vulnerabilities by selling him drugs disguised as expensive substances. When Sanju returned to India after rehabilitation, he confronted Zubin about this betrayal.

Foreshadowing: Zubin represents the negative influence that led Sanju down his destructive path.

• zubin mistry
• jim sarbh
• drug dealer
• friend betrayal
• rocky film

Nargis passed away just before the release of 'Rocky' in 1981, devastating Sanju emotionally. Her battle with cancer had already driven him to addiction during her treatment in New York. Her death left a profound emotional scar that affected his personal life and career for years.

Foreshadowing: The timing of her death so close to his first film's release underscores the tragedy that would define his early adulthood.

• nargis death
• cancer
• rocky release
• mother death
• manisha koirala

Sunil Dutt launched a relentless legal battle to secure bail for his son after his 1993 arrest. Despite being a public figure himself, he worked tirelessly for 452 days until achieving bail. This fight demonstrated the deep father-son bond that persisted despite Sanju's mistakes.

Foreshadowing: The film establishes Sunil as a protective figure who believed in redemption throughout Sanju's struggles.

• sunil dutt
• father support
• 452 days
• legal battle
• bail