Mumbai, September 10 (Daily Kiran) : Actor Sanjay Dutt reached out to Maharashtra’s Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik to clarify his recent comments regarding the Marathi language made during a Dahi Handi celebration. Dutt stated that his remarks were meant as a joke and expressed regret if they were misinterpreted.
During a phone call, which began with a friendly “Pratap Bhai, Jai Maharashtra,” Dutt explained that his comment at the event, where he humorously noted, “I spent six years in Yerwada Jail and still couldn’t learn Marathi,” was taken too seriously. He emphasized that he is proficient in Marathi and apologized if his words hurt anyone’s sentiments.
The Dahi Handi event in Thane, organized by Sarnaik’s cultural group, is one of the most prominent celebrations in Maharashtra. This year, it featured numerous celebrities, including Suniel Shetty and cricketer Suryakumar Yadav, alongside political leaders and business figures.
Dutt’s comments sparked a discussion on social media, with some critics questioning whether the expectation to learn Marathi was unfairly directed at certain individuals, such as taxi and rickshaw drivers.
During the conversation, Dutt also paid tribute to Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray, recalling how Thackeray supported his family during challenging times, and he expressed his ongoing respect for him.
Tensions surrounding the Marathi language have been heightened, with many attendees at the event addressing the audience in Marathi, further emphasizing the cultural pride associated with the language.
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