Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee has condoled the death of sports minister Sunil Dutt of a heart attack Wednesday.

"I am deeply shocked to learn of the sudden demise of my esteemed cabinet colleague Sunil Dutt earlier today. This untimely death has snatched away a great son of India who has made distinctive and signal contributions in enriching national life in several sectors," Mukherjee said in a message to Dutt's family.

"This is a major personal loss to me and the country. For more than half a century, Dutt had dominated public life in the country in several fields including films, art, national integration and youth affairs both as veteran artist and senior Congress leader.

"His active association in national politics for the last two decades has left a lasting impression of his personality as an intense lover of national unity and youth development. With his sudden death, India has been deprived off a distinguished national leader."

Mukherjee conveyed his "heartfelt condolence" to Dutt's family.