07 September,2026 01:05 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Sanjay Dutt (Picture via X)
Sanjay Dutt found himself at the centre of attention during a recent event (Dahi handi) in Mumbai when Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik asked him to speak in Marathi on stage. Known for his candid personality and sense of humour, the actor responded with a witty remark, steering the moment away from an awkward situation.
Dutt was sharing the stage with Sarnaik on Sunday when the minister asked the actor to address the gathering in Marathi. Instead of accepting the request, Dutt joked about his inability to speak the language fluently. His response left those present amused and quickly became a talking point online. The minister said, "These days I am teaching Marathi to everyone." In reference to the taxi driver row.
According to a video from the event, Sarnaik encouraged Dutt to speak in Marathi, he said, "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." To which the actor replied with a reference to his time in prison. Dutt reportedly said, "Six years in jail, I didn't learn Marathi," using humour to explain why he would prefer not to speak in the language. He further said, "I am grateful to Pratap bhai for calling me here. We go way back, almost 25 years."
The exchange appeared to be light-hearted, with Dutt maintaining his characteristic irreverent style. Rather than turning the request into a serious debate about language, the actor used self-deprecating humour to get out of the situation.
Dutt's response comes amid renewed conversations around the use and promotion of Marathi in Maharashtra. The language has often been a prominent part of public and political discourse in the state, particularly at public events where prominent personalities are encouraged to address audiences in Marathi.
The actor, who was born and brought up in Mumbai, has frequently been associated with the city and Maharashtra through his films and public appearances. However, his humorous response suggested that he did not want to be put on the spot over his command of Marathi. Sarnaik, meanwhile, has been vocal about initiatives concerning Maharashtra and its transport sector. His interaction with Dutt at the event appeared cordial despite the actor declining the request.
The video of the exchange has since attracted attention on social media, with users discussing Dutt's quick wit and his unusual explanation for not speaking Marathi. The actor's reference to his prison term also became the most talked-about part of the interaction. Dutt served a prison sentence in connection with the 1993 Mumbai blasts case and was released from Yerwada Central Jail in 2016 after completing his sentence. His reference to that period was clearly intended as a humorous response to Sarnaik's request rather than a detailed comment on his past.
The incident has once again highlighted Dutt's ability to handle unexpected moments with humour, turning what could have been an uncomfortable exchange into a memorable stage interaction.
