Sanjay Dutt has now explained himself twice. A comment he made on a comedy talk show about not feeling "peace" in India drew a wave of criticism online, and the actor has since issued a written note and a video statement saying the words came from a scripted segment and do not reflect his personal views.
Here is a clear, step-by-step look at what was said, why it caused a stir and exactly how Dutt has responded.
What Sanjay Dutt said on Shekhar Tonite
Dutt appeared on Shekhar Suman's talk show Shekhar Tonite in a Gandhi Jayanti episode, as reported by India Today and Hindustan Times. Speaking in the style of Munna Bhai, his much-loved character from Rajkumar Hirani's comedy franchise, he was asked about the state of the country.
His words, as quoted by India Today, The Indian Express and Hindustan Times, were: "The people of this country are so lovely. There should be peace here. I can't feel that peace in our country anymore. We Indians are large-hearted people, and we are hospitable. We have given so much, and we should always remain that way. I pray to Shivji that those days come back soon."
The Indian Express reports that he then went on to deliver a monologue, in the final segment of the show, imagining himself as India's Prime Minister, which included comments on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump in his Munna Bhai style. India Today adds that during the political satire segment he also asked for a "fourth monkey" to go with Gandhi ji's well-known three.
Why the remark sparked backlash
Clips from the episode spread quickly. Hindustan Times reports that the comment "courted backlash on social media," while India Today describes mixed reactions, with some viewers saying they were surprised and others strongly disagreeing.
Part of the reason the line travelled so far is that it could be read on its own, stripped of the comic framing of the show. The Indian Express also notes that Dutt lives in Dubai with his wife Maanyata Dutt and their two children, a detail that many online commenters brought into the conversation.
How Sanjay Dutt clarified: a note on X, then a video
On Sunday, Dutt posted a written statement on X. According to The Indian Express and India Today, he wrote: "I would like to clarify that it was never my intention to hurt, offend, or disrespect the sentiments of any individual, community, or institution."
He went on: "My remarks were made in the context of a scripted conversation intended to be light-hearted and humorous. The spirit behind them was similar to the humour and satire seen in films like Munna Bhai, particularly the concept of 'Gandhigiri,' which was intended to convey a message of love, warmth, togetherness, and goodwill. Unfortunately, my words were interpreted outside of that intended context."
A day later, Dutt followed up with a video statement in Hindi, reported by India Today and The Indian Express. This time the emphasis was sharper: the words were not his opinion.
As translated by India Today, he said: "Whatever I said on the show was part of a scripted segment, as is often the case on television shows of this nature. We were performing according to a script. The things said during that segment were part of that performance and its context."
He added: "They were in no way my personal views, thoughts or feelings. I deeply value the trust and affection of my friends and well-wishers. I would never want any misunderstanding about my actual views to arise because of a scripted performance. I hope this clarifies the whole matter in the right context. Jai Hind, Jai Bharat."
Where the controversy stands now
The two statements do slightly different jobs. The first apologises for any hurt caused and frames the moment as satire in the spirit of Gandhigiri. The second goes further and says plainly that the words were scripted performance, not personal belief. The Indian Express headline on the follow-up also notes that host Shekhar Suman commented on the matter after Dutt's explanation.
Whether audiences accept the "scripted satire" explanation is ultimately a matter of opinion, and reactions online remain divided. What is on the record is this: the remark was made on a satirical show, it drew criticism, and Dutt has publicly said, twice, that it was never his intention to hurt or offend anyone.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Sanjay Dutt say about peace in India?
On Shekhar Tonite, Dutt said, as quoted by India Today and others, "I can't feel that peace in our country anymore," while adding that Indians are large-hearted and hospitable and that he prays those days come back soon.
How did Sanjay Dutt clarify his remark?
He first posted a note on X saying the comment was part of a scripted, light-hearted conversation in the spirit of Munna Bhai's Gandhigiri. A day later he shared a video saying the remarks were "in no way" his personal views.
Which show did Sanjay Dutt make the comment on?
He made the remark on Shekhar Suman's talk show Shekhar Tonite, in an episode marking Gandhi Jayanti.
Cover photo: Sohila Bhatia / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0