When Sanjay Dutt gave Rs 2 jail coupons to his sisters on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan

Superstar Sanjay Dutt has had a life full of turmoil. Last year, the actor had walked free from Pune’s Yerawada Jail after completing his prison term, following his conviction in the year 1993 Mumbai serial blasts case. Many of the actor’s admirers and ardent moviegoers would know this fact the he was first arrested under the provisions of the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities Act (TADA) in April 1993. He had spent 18 months in Thane Central Jail during the period of 1994-95. It was the most difficult period and a testing time not only in the actor’s life but also for his family members who cared and prayed for him.

Recently, we came across a heart-wrenching and poignant incident during Sanjay’s prison term in 90’s. The actor had nothing but only Rs 2 jail coupons to give to his sisters Namrata and Priya Dutt when they had visited him on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan in year 1994. This emotional fact was mentioned in biography ‘Mr and Mrs Dutt: Memories of Our Parents’ which is jointly written by Sanjay Dutt’s sisters Namrata Dutt Kumar and Priya Dutt.

According to the book, it was August 1994; Sanjay Dutt was in Thane Central Jail. Their late father Sunil Dutt had taken the required permissions to visit Sanjay on this particular day along with his daughters. It’s Priya Dutt who describes what happened next when the family met Sanjay Dutt who was then living in a 8 by 8 cell. (Also Read: Sanjay Dutt to set up rehab and de-addiction centres)

She has quoted in the book writing, “Our eyes filled with tears. We tied a rakhi on his wrist. Sanjay looked sad and said, ‘I have nothing to give (the two of) you…. This is all I have….’” Sanjay had then offered his sisters the Rs 2 jail coupons he had earned through manual labour there.

“It was an extremely emotional moment for us. It was the first time we saw Dad break down and cry. We looked at each other in a long embrace and wept, unburdening our hearts, before Sanjay was led back to his cell,” writes Priya.

Further, it has been mentioned that Priya has still preserved those coupons as mementos.

Come to think of it, it must have been such a sad and traumatic event for the family, to celebrate Raksha Bandhan like this. However, all’s well that ends well. We wish Dutts all the happiness now.

Amod Pandit

Quiet, resonant, and creative, he can be seen immersed in his own world, and puts in his heart and soul into the one passion that he has, Bollywood. His line for survival? Feel happy to be a part of it.