In the annals of Bollywood, the name Sunil Dutt stands tall as an actor of immense integrity, a devoted family man, and a Parliamentarian loved by his constituents. However, very few know that the actor, known for his iconic role in Mother India, was driven to the brink of financial ruin by his own ambitious film project—the 1971 magnum opus Reshma Aur Shera .
The film, which featured a young Amitabh Bachchan, led Dutt to mortgage his family home in Bandra, sell his fleet of luxury cars, and even forced his wife, the legendary actress Nargis, to darn socks to make ends meet .
The Dream That Became a Nightmare
Sunil Dutt had established a reputation for being a producer who spared no expense. But with Reshma Aur Shera, a love story set against the backdrop of a violent family feud in Rajasthan, his passion for perfection turned into a financial disaster.
The production was plagued with issues from the start. Dutt set up a camp for his 100-member crew in the remote village of Pochina, 80 miles from Jaisalmer . What was planned as a 15-day shooting schedule stretched into over two months, causing costs to spiral out of control .
The Camel Conundrum: Sunil Dutt’s famous quest for perfection is best illustrated by an incident shared by his daughter, Namrata Dutt. For a particular shot, the director demanded 100 camels. When the crew could only arrange 99, Dutt flatly refused to shoot .
The Big Switch and the Bigger Loss
The film was originally directed by Sukhdev. However, when Nargis saw the initial rushes, she was deeply dissatisfied. Trusting his wife’s instincts, Dutt took over the directorial reins and decided to reshoot the entire film .
This decision to start from scratch resulted in a reported loss of Rs 60 lakh (a staggering sum in the 1970s), pushing the family to the edge of bankruptcy .
Amitabh’s Unlikely Casting & Mute Role
The film is significant for featuring a young Amitabh Bachchan, who was struggling to find a foothold in the industry. According to popular lore, it was then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, a close friend of Nargis, who insisted that Sunil Dutt give Bachchan a chance .
Interestingly, Sunil Dutt reportedly “hated” Amitabh’s deep, baritone voice, finding it unsuitable for the character. In a clever solution, Dutt made Amitabh play the role of a mute brother, a decision that forced the young actor to rely entirely on facial expressions and body language .
Life on the Brink
When Reshma Aur Shera released, it was a critical darling. It won three National Film Awards and was even selected as India’s official entry for the Oscars . However, it was a box office disaster. The accolades brought prestige but no money to fill Dutt’s coffers.
The situation at home was dire:
- Mortgaged Home: Sunil Dutt was forced to mortgage his bungalow in Bandra to pay off debts .
- Sold Cars: He sold all seven of his luxury cars and resorted to traveling by public buses .
- Darning Socks: Nargis, who had retired from films, would darn socks and repair school uniforms to save money for the household .
- The Piggy Bank: Nargis famously collected coins in a piggy bank. When the family had no cash left, she broke it open, finding enough money to run the house for a month .
Recovery and Loyalty
Despite the financial ruin, Dutt’s honesty earned him immense goodwill. When he decided to shut down his production office, his employees refused to leave, offering to work without pay because they believed in him .
To dig himself out of the debt, Sunil Dutt went on a signing spree, acting in a flurry of films like Heera and Pran Jaaye Par Vachan Na Jaaye. Actor Vinod Khanna, whom Dutt had launched, also returned the favor by insisting Dutt produce another film, Nehle Pe Dehla, to help stabilize the finances .
It took Dutt several years, but with relentless hard work, he eventually clawed his way back to solvency, proving that in Bollywood, as in his films, the hero always finds a way to rise.
