‘Yahan bidi toh milegi’: Sanjay Dutt recalls staying strong in jail, reveals what happened after official denied him cigarettes

Few chapters of Sanjay Dutt’s career have attracted as much public attention as his arrest and imprisonment in the illegal arms possession case. While the actor was acquitted of terrorism-related charges, he was convicted under the Arms Act and spent several periods in jail.

Dutt has spoken about that difficult phase of his life on several occasions. In a recent conversation on Shekhar Suman’s talk show Shekhar Tonite, he reflected on how he managed to stay composed through the years of legal battles and imprisonment.

Sanjay Dutt says he never felt like ending his life

During the conversation, Shekhar Suman recalled how Dutt was kept in an anda cell but managed to retain his sanity. He then asked the actor whether he had ever felt like ending his life during those difficult moments. Dutt replied firmly, “Never.”


Suman also pointed out that Dutt had openly acknowledged his mistakes and asked him when he had felt the weakest. Dutt said he knew his father and family had gone through a lot, but added that he himself “never felt weak.”

Suman then listed some of the major challenges Dutt had faced, including losing his mother and father, the death of his first wife, going to a rehabilitation centre, overcoming cancer and spending time behind bars. He asked the actor what had kept him intact through it all.

Sanjay Dutt recalls being handcuffed in front of Sunil Dutt

Dutt also remembered the first time police handcuffed him in front of his father, veteran actor Sunil Dutt.

He recalled that his father was shocked and had tears in his eyes when he saw the handcuffs. Dutt said he hugged him and told him not to be affected by the handcuffs, describing them as part of a procedure.

However, Dutt admitted that the moment was emotionally difficult for him as well. He said he was “killing” inside but felt he had to remain strong for his father.

The actor added that this was how he carried himself through the trial, which he said continued for 24 years.

Why Sanjay Dutt says stardom did not matter in jail

Dutt also spoke about sharing cells with other inmates and said his years of privilege never made him feel superior to those around him.

He credited his parents and his education at The Lawrence School, Sanawar, for shaping his outlook. Recalling his time on film sets, he said he had often sat on the ground and eaten with workers, adding that such distinctions never mattered to him.

Sanjay Dutt recalls his ‘bidi’ reply to a jail official

According to Dutt, authorities believed that taking away the privileges associated with his stardom would eventually break him. He recalled an official telling him that he would not get cigarettes in jail and asking what he would do.

Dutt said he replied that he could always get a bidi there. He recalled that his ability to remain grounded despite the circumstances surprised those around him.

Sanjay Dutt’s recent projects

On the work front, Dutt most recently appeared in Ahmed Khan’s Welcome To The Jungle, which features Akshay Kumar, Arshad Warsi, Suniel Shetty and Jacqueline Fernandez in key roles, alongside a large ensemble cast.

He also starred in Aakhri Sawal, a political drama directed by Abhijeet Mohan Warang. The film features Namashi Chakraborty, Amit Sadh and Sameera Reddy and released in Indian theatres on May 15, 2026.