Born into a Gujarati family in Bombay, Dattani has worked in predominantly Hindi and Kannada films.

His first Hindi film Uuf Kya Jaadoo Mohabbat Hai was followed by roles in Madhur Bhandarkar's Corporate and Vikram Bhatt's Life Mein Kabhie Kabhie as well as films such as Pyar Mein Twist.

In the Hindi film Mukhbir, directed by Mani Shankar, Dattani played the lead role of an undercover police informer.

[6] Shyam Benegal cast him in Well Done Abba (2010), alongside Boman Irani and Minissha Lamba.

After premiering at international film festivals in Montreal, Dubai and London, it had its commercial release 26 March 2010.