Pakistani creators' visit to Sanjay Dutt's ancestral home sparks calls for actor to visit

Two Pakistani content creators have gone viral after visiting Bollywood star Sanjay Dutt's ancestral home in Pakistan, prompting fans to wonder what is stopping the actor from making the journey himself when so many in the country are eager to welcome him.

Sameel Atif and Ayan Atif travelled to the ancestral home of veteran Indian actor Sunil Dutt in Jhelum. Their video traces the family's roots and revisits their life before the Partition of 1947.

The creators shared a collaborative post on Instagram, opening the video with a clip from one of Sanjay's earlier interviews in which he spoke about his father's enduring attachment to his birthplace. They then take viewers through the village and the Dutt family's ancestral home.

They added, "Decades later, he returned to this very house, asking its owners to preserve it for future generations."

Concluding the post, the creators reflected on the shared heritage of the two countries.

"Join us as we explore Sunil Dutt's ancestral home, uncover stories from the villagers who still remember him, and revisit a remarkable chapter of shared India-Pakistan history," they wrote.

The video also features an earlier interview in which Sanjay spoke about his father's emotional bond with the village and expressed his own desire to visit.

"I wish someday I can come to Pakistan, go back to the village. I'd like to go myself," he said.

Recalling conversations with his father, he added: "My father was born in Pakistan and he used to say he wanted to go back home. I'd say, 'This is home,' and he would reply, 'No, my home is there.'"

The video resonated with viewers, many of whom tagged the Indian actor in the comments and urged him to watch it. Others shared personal family connections to Khurd and memories passed down through generations.

"My grandfather and Sunil Dutt were from the same village. Their names were also similar, nicknames too. Our grandfather used to tell us how Sunil Dutt would have a white horse when they were young. We used to ask him to go meet him, go to Bombay. He never did, but there were others from their community, Mohyals, who did. Sunil Dutt welcomed them warmly," one user wrote.

Many others extended heartfelt invitations to the actor, expressing hope that he would one day visit Pakistan and reconnect with his ancestral roots.

"Please visit Pakistan someday. You have countless fans here who would love to welcome you with open hearts," one fan commented.

Others echoed the sentiment, questioning what was preventing the actor from making the journey and insisting he would be received with warmth and affection.

The overwhelming response reflected not only admiration for the actor but also a sense of shared nostalgia for the people, places and stories that continue to connect families across the border decades after Partition.