The nation rooted for Rajkumar Hirani directed and Ranbir Kapoor starrer, Sanju, more so because we got a sneak peek into the life of Sanjay Dutt and real side of the story about his life. But some prominent relationships and pivotal moments were remained untouched in the film. Nothing was mentioned about Sanjay Dutt’s first wife, Richa Sharma, and his relationship with their firstborn and his eldest daughter, Trishala Dutt. (Also Read: Sanjay Dutt And The Women In His Life, From Tina Munim, Madhuri Dixit To Maanayata Dutt)
Sanjay Dutt had a controversial life with the ups and downs in his professional as well as in his personal life. To give a recap, Sanjay Dutt and Richa Sharma met during the mahurat of a film that they were doing together but had hardly paid attention towards each other. Sanjay did have a massive crush on Richa as he had seen her photographs in a magazine, and later he somehow managed to get her number. After being turned down for a couple of date proposals, love blossomed between them. After convincing her parents, who were settled in New York, Richa and Sanjay tied the knot in 1987.
Sanjay Dutt and Richa Sharma’s marital life was a bliss and the lovebirds were blessed with a daughter, Trishala Dutt, doubling their happiness. But the happiness didn’t last long as Richa was diagnosed with a terminal illness of brain tumour. Richa went to the US for medical treatment, while Sanjay juggled between India and the US, courtesy his professional commitments and personal life. Sanjay's linkip with his Saajan co-star, Madhuri Dixit made it to the headlines and its flames reached New York to his wife, Richa. This instigated Richa to fly back to Mumbai with daughter, Trishala, but her medical condition had deteriorated by then. On the other hand, Sanjay was then accused of possession of illegal arms and was sent to jail under TADA. Both Sanjay and Richa were fighting their own battles and time kept flying by.
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In a throwback interview of Sanjay Dutt from 1993, he had talked about his separation from wife, Richa Sharma and being miffed with her as their daughter, Trishala Dutt used to call him ‘uncle’ instead of ‘dad’. Sanjay had said, "I was very angry and questioned Richa about it. Even if I'm not around is it not Richa's duty to keep my memory alive in my child's mind? I told Richa ‘If I was in your place and the situation was reversed, I would have made sure to keep your memory was kept alive.' She never did that".
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Sanjay Dutt had slammed his first wife, Richa Sharma’s parents as well and had recalled, "I remember she was in the hospital dying and her parents questioned me, ‘Okay now what about Trishala?' I countered, ‘What about her?' They said they would like to keep Trishala with them. I said ‘Why are you talking like that? Richa is still alive. She's not even dead. Besides, your priorities should lie with your daughter." When asked if he wanted to fight for the custody of daughter, Trishala, Sanjay had stated, "How much to fight? I am tired. I don't want the custody of my daughter right now. But whatever happens, I want the liberty to meet her anytime I want."
Elaborating on his father feelings, Sanjay Dutt continued, "I feel a lot but I realise somewhere down the line when she grows up, she is going to ask her mother, ‘Where's my father?'. I will be there for her then. But even at that time, I won't get back with Richa." Sanju baba also revealed that his daughter, Trishala doesn’t know anyone from his family and he would like to bring her to India so that she could know more about her dad's family.
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Through an Instagram feature, ‘Ask Me A Question’, Trishala Dutt had interacted with her fans and was flooded with questions about her family. A follower had asked Trishala, “How do you feel being Sanjay Dutt’s daughter?”, to which she had replied, “Honestly, it feels normal. He’s like any other father. When I’m with him, it feels like I’m with my dad. It doesn’t feel any different than what you probably feel when you are with your father. I can’t explain it but it’s… normal.” Another Insta user had asked her, “What’s the best thing you learned from your dad?”, to which she had retorted, “how to tell guys who waste my time and treat me like shit to F*** off.”
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Then she was asked, “How is it living without your parents?”, to which Trishala had answered, “umm… It’s fine, I guess. I never lived with them to begin with (I did but I was so young I don’t remember much) so I can’t really answer how it feels living without them.” When further asked if she is more like mom or dad, she had replied, “My attitude and temper is like my dad. My kindness, gentleness and loving side is from my mom. My giving side and style is from both my parents.”
On November 7, 2018, Trishala Dutt had taken to her Instagram handle to give Dutt fans a glimpse of the ‘just married’ couple, Sanjay Dutt and Richa Sharma. Their throwback picture did take us on a nostalgic trip and we just couldn’t stop staring at the then-newly-wedded couple. Trishala had captioned the picture of her parents as, “a selfie est. 1987 #justmarried #thesimplelife #treasuredmoments #memories”.
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Well, it is rightly said, ‘the past is always tense, the present is perfect’!
