As Sanjay Dutt walks out of Yerwada Jail tomorrow morning, the actor may have a host of friends and well-wishers awaiting him.
But one person who will be missing is Mahesh Bhatt.
A sharp contrast from the scene in May 2013 when Sanjay was going to Arthur Road Jail. Bhatt was standing right beside him and his wife Manyata Dutt, a silent but steady source of strength to them.
The director has always been by Sanju’s side in his times of adversity. It began in 1986 when he breathed a new lease of life into Sanju’s flailing career with Naam.
20 years down the line, Sanju still finds his mentor, voice of reason and above all, a friend in Bhatt.
SpotboyE got in touch with Bhatt, who revealed that he had a heartfelt chat with Manyata just a few hours ago. Read on as the director opens up on his heart-to-heart with the star wife.
What did you tell Manyata?
I just told her that it’s not Sanjay Dutt who is coming out of jail, it’s also Manyata Dutt who is coming out of jail. The vanvas for her is finally over. You can be in the open and still feel imprisoned. That was the case with Manyata all these years. The anguish of being away from her husband who was behind bars and she, out here – that was one hell of a journey for her. She is very brave. I think Sanju is very lucky to have her. I wish her and her family and her children a great beginning.
What was Manyata’s reaction?
She was very moved. She told me, “Why don’t you come home tomorrow?’ I told her, “No, you be with him tomorrow. I will meet him sometime or the other. Let him be with you, his children (Shahraan and Iqra) and his friends.”
But you were with him when he was being sent to jail in 2013. Why not now?
I had to be there with him when nobody was there. Now when he is coming back, the whole world will be there to receive him and I am very happy for him. I will see him by and by.
Do you think Sanjay will be able to bounce back?
In entertainment, people say there are no second acts. Sanjay Dutt has got his third act now.
He was called Dead On Arrival when he joined the movies. He was then incarcerated after a successful career with Naam and Sadak. Post his return, he was once again sentenced to jail in 2007. The third time in 2013, people wrote his obituary, but he has come back. You can’t help but compare the story of Sanjay Dutt to the proverbial Phoenix who rises from the Ashes again and again and again.
With just a few hours to go before he walks free, what do you think Sanjay must be feeling right now?
It’s the beginning of a new day, a new life for him. His climb to the peak begins now. Watch him go!
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