Did Sanjay Dutt call Pratap Sarnaik after the Dahi Handi Marathi language row? Here's what we know

Sanjay Dutt. Pic via X

Sanjay Dutt recently grabbed eyeballs with his remarks after he playfully declined to speak in Marathi at a Dahi Handi event. The actor joked about not being able to learn Marathi after Maharashtra minister Pratap Sarnaik from Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena asked him to speak in the language. The video soon went viral on the internet, sparking strong reactions from users online. Now, reports suggest that the actor called the Minister of Transport of Maharashtra to clarify his statement at the event.

Sanjay Dutt calls Pratap Sarnaik

According to NDTV, a note from Sarnaik's office stated that Dutt called the minister and spoke to him in Marathi after the incident. The actor even began the call with 'Pratap bhai, Jai Maharashtra'. Dutt also told the minister that he knows Marathi well and even apologised if his remark sent the wrong message.

Dutt also reportedly explained to Sarnaik that he had only been joking when he made the comment about not being able to learn the language. He also pointed out that he was able to speak Marathi well, saying that his family members were Mumbaikars and that he had grown up in Maharashtra, a state that had given him a lot.

During the conversation, Dutt also reportedly remembered the late Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray and acknowledged the support the late leader had extended to the actor and his family during a difficult period. The Dhurandhar actor also expressed gratitude towards the Sena patriarch, noting that Thackeray had stood by them when they were going through challenging times.

Notably, Dutt has not directly reacted to the matter yet.

Sanjay Dutt's remark when asked to speak in Marathi

During the event, the minister asked the actor to address the gathering in Marathi. However, Dutt's response left everyone present amused, soon becoming a talking point online. The minister said, "These days I am teaching Marathi to everyone." He added, "So I thought after his entry, let us all get Sanjay Dutt to talk in Marathi. He speaks in Hindi, but all of us understand Marathi."

Dutt replied to this by jokingly saying, "Six years in jail, I didn't learn Marathi." He further said, "I am grateful to Pratap bhai for calling me here. We go way back, almost 25 years." Later, a video of Dutt speaking fluently in Marathi with a paparazzi went viral.