Actor Sanjay Dutt has clarified his recent remarks about the perceived decline in peace in India, saying his comments on actor-host Shekhar Suman’s chat show were part of a scripted and light-hearted conversation and were subsequently taken out of context.
Dutt addressed the controversy in a detailed post on X on Sunday, saying he never intended to hurt, offend or disrespect any individual, community or institution.
The actor said the remarks were made in the spirit of humour and satire and compared the intended tone to the messaging associated with his Munna Bhai films, particularly the concept of “Gandhigiri”, which he said promoted love, togetherness, warmth and goodwill.
The clarification came after his appearance on Shekhar Tonite triggered criticism on social media. During the show, Dutt had spoken about India’s hospitality and large-heartedness before saying that he could no longer feel the same level of peace in the country.
“I pray to Shivji that those days come back soon,” he had said.
Dutt’s subsequent clarification also drew mixed reactions online, with some social media users questioning his explanation and arguing that his original comments should be viewed independently of the scripted nature of the programme.
Others questioned whether the conversation on the show was scripted and whether that affected the interpretation of his remarks.
The controversy comes as Dutt continues to promote his recent work, including the Marathi biographical film Raja Shivaji.
In his clarification, the actor maintained that his intention was not to make a statement against any individual or community and that his comments had been made within the context of a humorous conversation.