At the recent launch of producer Rajan Lall’s biography, Shatrughan Sinha reminisced about the time Sanjay Dutt was arrested and how a few key figures, including Rajan Lall and Balasaheb Thackeray, played a significant role in helping him. Shatrughan Sinha, who shared a close bond with Sanjay Dutt’s father, Sunil Dutt, recalled the tense moments from that period.
Reflecting on those difficult times, Shatrughan Sinha described Sunil Dutt as an elder brother and spoke about how he, Rajan Lall, and Shashi Ranjan would meet every evening amidst the turbulence of the Mumbai riots. They navigated dangerous streets, deeply concerned about the crisis that had befallen Sunil Dutt. He recalled, “Sunil Dutt was like my elder brother. Him, me, Rajan Lall and Shashi Ranjan used to sit together with each other every evening, amid the Mumbai riots. We used to cross the risky and dangerous streets. During that time, a major problem landed on Dutt saheb’s head. Humaara and sabka laadla Sanjay Dutt jail mai tha (Sanjay Dutt was in jail then).”
Shatrughan Sinha expressed the anxiety they all felt for Sanjay Dutt, acknowledging how much they wanted to see him free. “We were tensed and worried for him, genuinely from the heart. Itna acha aur pyaara insaan, Sunil Dutt ka chashmo chirag ko kaise bahar nikaala jaaye (We were concerned that Sunil Dutt’s son should be released from jail)? How can we do something for them?” he added.
Balasaheb Thackeray’s influence was instrumental in easing the situation, Shatrughan Sinha revealed. Recalling his contribution, he shared, “We were lucky that Maharashtra’s lion, father figure, or Godfather Balasaheb Thackeray was with us. We introduced them to him, and Balasaheb Thackeray ji played a major role in Sanjay Dutt’s case. Be it his return from jail or facilities being provided there. Aaj agar Sanjay Dutt yahan hote toh bahut acha hota (It would be nice if Sanjay was here today). The day he came out of the jail, he was with us. He came straight to our house after coming out, after taking blessings at the Siddhivinayak temple. We then went to Rajan Lall’s home, congratulated him and talked for hours.”
Shatrughan Sinha then shared a rather unexpected twist in the story, stating how they have since struggled to reach out to Sanjay Dutt. He elaborated, “The story had its twists and turns after that. We have since tried to find Sanjay a lot of times, especially Rajan Lall. He tried in front of us and through us, but Dutt saheb ka chashmo chirag jo hume nahi mila hai, uske upar ek title lag chuka hai ‘dhundhte rehjaaoge’ (We can’t find Dutt saab’s son anymore, he can be given the title of ‘find him if you can’). But, this doesn’t mean that he isn’t lovely, he might be having his own reasons, problems, or just busy.”
The veteran actor concluded on a note of understanding, acknowledging that despite Sanjay Dutt’s absence, he remains a dear person, possibly caught up in his own life’s obligations. The event provided a rare glimpse into a chapter of Bollywood history that showcased camaraderie, loyalty, and the power of influential friendships in turbulent times.
