"It was never my intention to hurt, offend, or disrespect": Sanjay Dutt clarifies his 'Gandhigiri' PM speech
Sanjay Dutt issues a clarification after his satirical PM speech on Shekhar Tonite went viral, stating he never intended to offend anyone.
Bollywood veteran Sanjay Dutt has broken his silence following the viral controversy surrounding his satirical "Prime Minister" speech. The actor clarified that his remarks, made during a light-hearted segment on the show 'Shekhar Tonite', were never intended to hurt, offend, or disrespect any individual, community, or institution.
The "Munna Bhai" Style Address
The controversy erupted after Dutt appeared on the talk show hosted by Shekhar Suman to mark Gandhi Jayanti. In a segment designed for humor, the actor adopted a fictional persona of India's Prime Minister, delivering a speech in his iconic Munna Bhai style. During this satirical performance, he even introduced a "fourth monkey" to Mahatma Gandhi's famous trio of monkeys, suggesting that in today's world, someone must also act to correct the evils they see.
However, the conversation took a serious turn when Dutt shared his personal reflections on the current state of the nation. He expressed a sense of loss regarding the country's atmosphere, stating that he no longer feels the same sense of "peace" that he once did.
"I Can't Feel That Peace Anymore"
While interacting with Suman, the actor made emotional observations about the Indian spirit. “The people of this country are so lovely. There should be peace here. I can’t feel that peace in our country anymore," Dutt remarked. He went on to praise the hospitality and large-hearted nature of Indians, adding, “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.”
Clarification via Social Media
As clips of his comments began circulating widely online, Dutt took to his X (formerly Twitter) handle to set the record straight. He expressed disappointment that his words were being viewed outside of their intended context.
"I would like to clarify that it was never my intention to hurt, offend, or disrespect the sentiments of any individual, community, or institution. My remarks were made in the context of a scripted conversation intended to be light-hearted and humorous."
Dutt further explained that the spirit of his comments was rooted in the concept of 'Gandhigiri'—a theme central to his famous film characters—which aims to promote love, warmth, togetherness, and goodwill through satire.
About the Show and Recent Work
The show, 'Shekhar Tonite', is known for its candid and spontaneous conversations with various personalities from film, politics, and sports. It premiered on May 15 and focuses on a mix of humor and emotion.
On the professional front, Sanjay Dutt has recently expanded his horizons by making a debut in the Saudi Arabian film industry with the movie '7 Dogs', where he appeared in a cameo alongside his close friend, Salman Khan.