Sanjay Dutt found himself at the center of a social media storm following his recent appearance on Shekhar Suman’s talk show, Shekhar Tonite. To mark Gandhi Jayanti, the actor stepped back into the shoes of his iconic character, Munna Bhai, to deliver a satirical five-minute address to the nation as a fictional Prime Minister. During the candid conversation, Dutt shared his personal observations on the current state of India, remarking that he no longer feels the same sense of peace in the country. He also introduced a thought-provoking twist on the famous three monkeys of Gandhi, suggesting that in today’s world, we need a fourth monkey to address the necessity of correcting the wrongs we witness.
Following the viral spread of his comments, the actor took to his X handle to issue a formal clarification, emphasizing that his words were meant to be part of a light-hearted, scripted segment. Dutt stated that it was never his intention to hurt, offend, or disrespect any individual, community, or institution. He explained that the spirit behind his performance was rooted in the same ‘Gandhigiri’ philosophy celebrated in his films, aimed at spreading love, warmth, and goodwill. The actor expressed his disappointment that his statements were misinterpreted and taken out of the intended humorous context.
Shekhar Tonite, which premiered this May, is known for hosting unscripted and spontaneous conversations with personalities across various fields. While this recent appearance has sparked debate, Sanjay Dutt continues to stay busy with his diverse projects. Beyond his Bollywood work, including his recent role in Aakhiri Sawal, the actor has also made his debut in the Saudi Arabian film industry with a cameo appearance alongside Salman Khan in the film 7 Dogs.