‘Six Years in Jail and I Didn’t Learn It’: Sanjay Dutt’s Witty Response to Pratap Sarnaik’s Marathi Request | Watch
Sanjay Dutt found a humorous way to respond when Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik asked him to speak in Marathi at a recent Dahi Handi event in Maharashtra. Instead of delivering a speech in the language, the actor joked about his time in Yerwada Jail, leaving the people around him amused.
The exchange, captured on video, has attracted attention because Dutt turned what could have been an awkward on-stage request into a self-deprecating joke about his inability to learn Marathi.
Why Pratap Sarnaik Asked Sanjay Dutt to Speak in Marathi
Sarnaik and Dutt were sharing the stage at a Dahi Handi celebration when the minister brought up his efforts to encourage people to learn Marathi.
Sarnaik told the gathering that he was teaching everyone Marathi and then suggested that Dutt should also address the audience in Marathi.
The request came amid a wider discussion in Maharashtra over the use of Marathi, including a recent transport-department directive concerning the language skills expected of autorickshaw drivers in Mumbai.
Sanjay Dutt’s Marathi Response Brings Up His Jail Years
Dutt responded by taking the microphone and making a reference to his time in Yerwada Jail.
“Pratap bhai. Main 6 saal jail mein raha, Yervada mein. Tab bhi Marathi nahi seekh paaya. Main thoda seekha tha.”
Dutt’s remark meant that he had spent six years in jail at Yerwada and still had not managed to learn Marathi, although he had picked up a little of the language.
Rather than turning the moment into a serious exchange, Dutt then thanked Sarnaik for inviting him and spoke warmly about their longstanding association.
“Main Pratap bhai ka aabhaari hoon ki mujhe yahan bulaye. Hamara rishta bahut purana hai, 25 saal ho gaye hain.”
Dutt described Sarnaik as an old friend and brother and said their association goes back around 25 years.
What Sanjay Dutt’s ‘Six Years in Jail’ Remark Actually Refers To
Dutt’s comment refers to his imprisonment in connection with the 1993 Mumbai blasts case and the illegal possession of firearms.
There is an important distinction in the numbers. A TADA court originally sentenced Dutt to six years in prison in 2007. In 2013, the Supreme Court upheld his conviction but reduced the sentence to five years, including the period he had already served.
Dutt later completed 42 months of the remaining sentence and was released from Pune’s Yerwada Jail on February 25, 2016.
So while Dutt referred to “six years” during his joke, the final sentence after the Supreme Court’s intervention was five years.
Why the Sanjay Dutt Marathi Moment Is Getting Attention
The clip stands out because it combines a familiar part of Dutt’s personal history with a current public discussion around Marathi in Maharashtra.
For Dutt, the response appeared to be delivered as humour rather than as a formal statement on the language debate. He immediately followed the joke by thanking Sarnaik and highlighting their long relationship.
Some viewers appreciated Dutt’s quick wit, while others discussed the wider issue of language expectations in Maharashtra. These reactions are opinions expressed online and should not be treated as evidence of any official dispute between Dutt and Sarnaik.
Was Sanjay Dutt Actually Refusing to Speak Marathi?
Based on the available video reports, Dutt did not turn the moment into a political argument or make a broader statement against Marathi.
He used a joke about his own inability to learn the language and then moved on to thanking Sarnaik. Therefore, describing the moment as a humorous response to the request is more accurate than portraying it as a major confrontation between the actor and the minister.
What Is Confirmed and What Is Not?
Confirmed
- Sanjay Dutt attended a Dahi Handi event where he shared the stage with Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik.
- Sarnaik asked Dutt to speak in Marathi.
- Dutt responded by referring to his time in Yerwada Jail and joking that he still had not learned Marathi.
- Dutt said he had learned a little Marathi.
- He thanked Sarnaik and described their relationship as being around 25 years old.
- Videos of the exchange circulated online and attracted media attention.
What Remains Unconfirmed
- There is no verified indication that Dutt intended his comment as a political statement against the Marathi language.
- There is no confirmed report of a personal dispute between Dutt and Sarnaik following the exchange.
- Social-media interpretations of the joke should not be treated as Dutt’s stated political position.
Sanjay Dutt’s Latest Work
On the work front, Dutt continues to remain active in films across different industries. His recent projects have included appearances in Hindi and international productions, keeping the actor in the entertainment news cycle.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Sanjay Dutt say about Marathi?
Sanjay Dutt joked that he had spent six years in Yerwada Jail but still could not learn Marathi, adding that he had picked up a little of the language.
Who asked Sanjay Dutt to speak in Marathi?
Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik asked Dutt to speak in Marathi during a Dahi Handi event.
Where did Sanjay Dutt serve his jail sentence?
Dutt served part of his sentence at Pune’s Yerwada Jail. He was released from the prison in February 2016 after completing the remaining portion of his sentence.
Was Sanjay Dutt sentenced to six years in jail?
Yes. A special court originally sentenced Dutt to six years in 2007. The Supreme Court later reduced the sentence to five years in 2013, including the time he had already served.
Did Sanjay Dutt and Pratap Sarnaik have a long-standing relationship?
Dutt himself said on stage that he and Sarnaik had known each other for around 25 years and referred to the minister as an old friend and brother.
Bottom Line
Sanjay Dutt’s Marathi exchange with Pratap Sarnaik was, at its core, a light-hearted stage moment. Asked to speak in Marathi, Dutt reached for a familiar chapter from his past and joked that even his time in Yerwada Jail had not taught him the language.
The comment has gained attention because it arrived during an active public discussion around Marathi in Maharashtra. But based on the available footage and reports, the exchange itself remained humorous, with Dutt ending by thanking Sarnaik and highlighting their long-standing friendship.
Sources
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Indian Express — Sanjay Dutt’s response to Pratap Sarnaik’s request to speak in Marathi.
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India Today — Details of Sanjay Dutt’s Marathi exchange with Pratap Sarnaik.
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Hindustan Times — Report on Sanjay Dutt’s witty response to the minister’s Marathi request.
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NDTV — Video coverage of Sanjay Dutt’s Yerwada Jail remark and the Marathi-language controversy.
Watch the video report →
