Sanjay Dutt cancer journey: Actor recalls crying for hours, US visa denial, and Rakesh Roshan’s support during treatment
Sanjay Dutt cancer journey began during the Covid-19 lockdown when the Bollywood star was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer. The news left him shaken, and he admitted crying for hours, thinking about his wife, kids, and family. Years later, the actor has opened up about his emotional battle, the challenges he faced when his US visa was denied for treatment, and how filmmaker Rakesh Roshan helped him during one of the darkest phases of his life.
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Diagnosis during lockdown
Recounting the incident in a podcast, Sanjay Dutt revealed that he first noticed severe breathing issues while climbing stairs during the lockdown. Concerned, he consulted doctors, and tests showed that his lungs were more than half-filled with fluid. Initially, doctors suspected tuberculosis, but further reports confirmed it was cancer.
The actor said, “I had a bath and couldn’t breathe. When the doctor showed me the X-ray, more than half of my lungs were covered in water. They drained it out, but then the truth came — it was cancer.”
Breaking down after hearing the news
The ‘Vaastav’ actor admitted the hardest part was facing his family after the diagnosis. His sister Priya Dutt was the one who broke the news to him. “I thought, now what? I cried for two to three hours, not because of fear, but because my kids and wife’s faces kept flashing before me. Then I decided I couldn’t afford to be weak,” he recalled.
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US visa rejection and Rakesh Roshan’s help
Initially, the family planned to take him to the United States for treatment. However, Sanjay’s US visa application was rejected due to technical reasons. The actor then decided to undergo treatment in India. At this time, filmmaker Rakesh Roshan, who himself had battled cancer, stepped in and connected him with doctors who eventually guided his treatment.
Sanjay recalled, “The doctor told me I would lose hair, vomit, and become weak. I told her, nothing will happen to me. After every chemotherapy session, I would cycle for an hour, sometimes play badminton for two to three hours. I wanted to fight it, not let it defeat me.”
Fitness as his weapon
Determined to stay strong, the ‘Agneepath’ actor used fitness as a way to regain control. He regularly hit the gym, rebuilt his stamina, and worked hard to bring back his old self. “I had once let myself go, but this time I promised never to do that again,” he said.
Declaring victory over cancer
In October 2020, on the occasion of his children’s birthday, Sanjay Dutt announced that he was cancer-free. He called it the toughest battle of his life and thanked his family, doctors, and well-wishers for their support. His message to fans was one of resilience: “God gives the hardest battles to his strongest soldiers.”
Work front
On the professional side, Sanjay Dutt was last seen in Baaghi 4 alongside Tiger Shroff, which released in theatres on September 5, 2025. His upcoming film, Dhurandhar starring Ranveer Singh, is set to release in December 2025.
👉 Sanjay Dutt’s cancer journey remains an inspiring story of courage, determination, and the importance of family support. Despite the emotional setbacks, visa hurdles, and medical challenges, the actor emerged stronger — both in health and spirit.
