A very vocal Mrs Sanjay Dutt speaks her mind. Subhash K Jha listens...
A very vocal Mrs Sanjay Dutt speaks her mind. Subhash K Jha listens...
She's caught in the crosshairs of people gunning for her head, but Maanayata Sanjay Dutt staves off barbs and accusations with a calculated demeanour. Sinner or saint? She couldn't care less what you brand her. Here, she answers all questions Dutt.
People continue to question your right to take over Sanjay's life?
I know. But I have the right to live with my husband the way I want to. It doesn't matter if she's a prostitute or a princess, a wife has certain rights in her husband's home.
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About Sanju's comment that girls shouldn't stick to their maiden surname after marriage...
That's his personal opinion. Sanju would've been offended and insulted if I had continued using my father's name. If other wives want to use their maiden names, it's their choice. He feels it a fashion to do so these days. He has the right to an opinion.
What's your take on this?
Having married a man who takes care of all my needs, I'd like to accept his name with full honour and take charge of his home and accept his family as mine. If you can't accept your husband's name and family, why marry? Go in for a live-in relationship. Mrs Indira Gandhi was married to someone not as famous as the Nehrus but didn't she fight all those glorious battles as Indira Gandhi, not Nehru. And now Priyanka calls herself a Wadhera (after her husband), not a Gandhi.
Sanjay's sisters haven't accepted you?
I'm not someone to push for acceptance. I've never nagged Sanju for anything. I leave space for options. Sanju knows I've tried to do as much in my capacity (to find acceptance with the sisters). Beyond that, he wouldn't like me to try any further. Neither would I.
Does unacceptance hurt?
When Sanju stands by me like a pillar of strength nothing else matters. Sanju says that if his mom was alive she'd have approved of me. What more can I want? There are very few people I trust. My friends and I go back 20-22 years. They can hurt me, not others.
Do you feel like you've been attacked since you married Sanjay?
Wherever there's power, there's bound to be a lot of conspiracy hovering around and let's face it, Sanju is very powerful. Every producer wants to work with him. He never understood the nitty-gritty of finances. And if he hasn't accumulated a huge bank balance, it isn't because he hasn't earned money. He did. But he lost all of it. There were too many people around him trying to use him. I came like a barricade in Sanju's life to stand between him and the people who wanted to use him. So naturally, these fair-weather friends resent me. I spoilt their party, you see.
The hostility and suspicion from Sanjay's friends can't be easy for you...
No one in the world can get a hundred percent votes. Even Prophet Mohammed, Jesus Christ, Gandhiji were not spared. I am such a small fry. No matter how sincere you are in your purpose, there will be people who will try to pull you down. It's the way the world functions.
You refuse to speak out against Sanjay's family. Comment.
I keep a dignified silence because firstly my parents have brought me up to believe it's undignified to hit out at people publicly. Secondly, it's my husband's family and he loves them. I wouldn't like to hurt him by saying anything. Finally, I think keeping quiet under attack is far more courageous than attacking someone.
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And you'll maintain that?
Yes. At no point of time, no matter what the provocation would I want to wash my dirty linen in public. I'm not that kind of person. People think I'm arrogant and rude. The fact is, I'm very reserved by nature. I only open up with people I gel with. If I'm uncomfortable in company I won't pretend to have a good time.
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But silence beyond a point is misconstrued for guilt?
Let people draw what conclusions they want. I know what I'm doing in Sanju's life. I'm a silent observer. I know exactly what and whom I want in life. I'll stand by them even when they are disowned by the world. As for the ones I don't want in my life, I don't even want to cross their path.
You've put your own life aside to look after Sanjay?
I don't think any job is as hard as looking after your husband's home. Any other job ends at 6 pm. At home, when it's time to call it a day, your husband walks in. And the day begins again. It's a 24-hour challenge. And I love challenges.
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Sanjay had so many girlfriends. But he found a home-maker in you?
It's not as if I only look after his home. I also look after Sanjay Dutt Productions. We decided he'd produce his own films to make sure the downslide doesn't take him by surprise. Let face it, Sanju is a superstar but he isn't Amitabh Bachchan. Every actor goes through a downslide, and then he reappears in smaller roles. I don't want that to happen to Sanju. We jointly decided to start our production house, so we could generate the kind of work that Sanju deserves. I look after the finances of the production house, Sanju looks after the creative aspects. He has 20 years of experience, Besides production plans give me a big high.
How have you controlled his finances?
I wouldn't like to name them. But the unnecessary expenses Sanju was making for some people have been stopped. Sanju was implementing financial responsibilities that were not his. That has also made some people hate me. But his finances were being handled by the wrong people. There was so much ghaplaa in his accounts. If I open my mouth about it, no one will be spared.
Has Sanjay brought stability to your life?
Oh yes. I've never been happier. I've got the best man any woman could get. When I was going through hell before my marriage I'd pick up the phone and ask him for help. Sanju has stood by me through thick and thin. I've known him for nine years. We're both very positive people and we like to live and let live. We both believe in forgiving. And we believe every saint can have a past. And every sinner can have a future. We started seeing each other seriously in 2005. But he knew everything about my past. So when 'friends' tried to provoke him he just laughed it off.
When do you intend to start a family?
Please pray hard...
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