PicShik Blog

Sanjay Dutt is shooting for Aladdin at Mehboob Studios, dressed in a black suit, a cape, knee-length boots and a hat. The costume is enough to bring a smile to any face, but the man who’s wearing it is not smiling. He’s in a dark mood. The actor is disturbed with the spate of stories surrounding his wife of one month, Maanyata. The latest attack came from his ex-wife Rhea Pillai, who recently accused Dutt’s present biwi of spreading stories about Sanju supporting her. Here, for the first time the actor speaks about his recent marriage to Maanyata, his divorce to Rhea and the controversy surrounding the present and ex-Mrs Dutts. Read on…

Every morning, you wake up to a new controversy, do you still feel like getting out of bed?
I get out of bed very happily. But I have stopped reading papers and watching news.

Does it get too much?
Yes, it does, though I can deal with it. But I don’t understand why Maanyata is being constantly targetted. It gets to her. Ever since we got married, it’s just been unstoppable. It’s about her past or my past… I have never seen Maanyata as shaken up as she was two days ago. It’s affected her health. She kept asking me, “What have I done to her that she is blaming me.”

You are talking about Rhea’s interview to a newspaper accusing Maanyata of spreading stories of you supporting her.
Yes.

Rhea also said, I gave up the Dutt name that she (Maanyata) so desperately wants..
(Interrupts) Then Rhea should also give up everything that came with the Dutt name.

You’ve been financially supporting her even after you separated nine years ago?
Ideally, I’d never talk about it. It should’ve remained between Rhea and me, but now that everything is being said in the press, then yes, I admit I have been taking care of all her bills.

This includes shopping, travelling and her mobile bills running up to Rs 60,000 a month?
(Hesitantly) Yes.

Is it true that sometimes the bills ran upto 8 lakhs at a time.
(Uncomfortably) Yes.

Are you going to continue to pay her bills.
Not anymore.

Is it because of Maanyata?
Maanyata has nothing to do with it. Since Rhea and I got divorced last month, I don’t have to support her anymore.

Why didn’t you divorce her sooner?
I wanted a divorce and had asked Rhea for it.

And she refused?
(After a long silence) Let’s not get into that.

Have Rhea and Maanyata met?
Yes, they have. In fact, Maanyata has bought gifts for her daughter and she always speaks highly of Rhea and respects her for standing by me in my bad times. I can assure you, Maana has never said a word against Rhea. Even though she was well within her rights, if she wanted to.

Please elaborate.
No wife would tolerate her husband supporting his ex-wife. Especially if the first wife was happily married to someone else who is in a position to support her. But Maanyata never even brought this up with me. It was unfair of Rhea to drag her name into it. Besides I have to start thinking about making myself and Maanyata secure. My father didn’t invest in property or leave crores for me. I don’t have ancestral property and wealth to live off. I am working hard and it’s time I started thinking about myself.

You must. Start by going for a honeymoon.
(Smiles) There’s no time. I started shooting the day after I got married. I have been shooting non-stop since.

What has changed after marriage?
I go straight home from shooting. We spend time together, watch movies and work out.

What’s happening to Alibaug.
I’m not doing it anymore. I don’t think the role suited me.
Do you know Irrfan Khan has replaced you?
Yes. I heard.