Sanjay Dutt's Love Saga: From Early Romances with Tina Munim and Madhuri Dixit to Enduring Love with Maanayata Dutt

Sanjay Dutt, the charismatic Bollywood actor born into the illustrious Dutt family, has lived a life often as dramatic as his films, with his romantic journey consistently capturing public attention. From early high-profile affairs to multiple marriages, his love life has been a subject of intense media scrutiny and fascination. The actor himself once famously stated, and his biopic "Sanju" corroborated, that he had been in 308 relationships, a testament to his enduring appeal and the tumultuous path he navigated to find lasting companionship.

One of Sanjay Dutt's earliest and most significant romances was with actress Tina Munim, now Tina Ambani. Their relationship blossomed during the filming of his debut movie, Rocky, in 1981, where they were co-stars. Despite their deep connection, their affair eventually ended, reportedly due to Dutt's struggles with substance abuse during that period.

Following his relationship with Tina Munim, rumors of an affair with veteran actress Rekha surfaced while they were working on the film Zameen Aasmaan in 1984. Speculation even suggested a secret marriage, though this was later denied by Dutt and debunked by the author of Rekha's biography. The relationship, if any, was brief and remained largely unconfirmed by the parties involved.

Dutt's first marriage was to actress Richa Sharma in 1987. He had been smitten with her after seeing her photograph and pursued her diligently before she agreed to a date. The couple tied the knot in New York and welcomed their daughter, Trishala Dutt, in 1988. Tragically, Richa was diagnosed with a brain tumor shortly after Trishala's birth and moved to the United States for treatment, where she eventually passed away on December 10, 1996. Sanjay, in a 1993 interview with Movie magazine, expressed that his marriage with Richa was over and blamed her parents for interfering in their lives, stating, > "My marriage with Richa is over. We cannot get back together again. I've got nothing against Richa but her parents have damaged our lives. They interfered too much."

During Richa Sharma's illness, Sanjay Dutt's relationship with actress Madhuri Dixit became a prominent topic in the industry. The duo reportedly fell in love while shooting for Saajan in 1991, and their on-screen chemistry translated into a real-life romance. Reports suggested they were serious about marriage, but Madhuri's family was reportedly against the union. Their relationship came to an abrupt end in 1993 following Sanjay Dutt's arrest under the TADA Act in connection with the 1993 Mumbai bombings, after which Madhuri distanced herself. Sanjay Dutt consistently denied their romantic involvement.

In the period following his high-profile affair with Madhuri Dixit and the personal turmoil of his legal troubles, Dutt reportedly found brief solace with actress Lisa Ray. However, their story was short-lived, and Lisa has always denied a romantic relationship with him. Another alleged affair during this tumultuous time was with Nadia Durrani. Sources suggest that Nadia was deeply involved with Sanjay, even before and during his second marriage, and her presence reportedly contributed to the eventual breakdown of his subsequent relationship.

Sanjay Dutt's second marriage was to model and socialite Rhea Pillai. They married on February 14, 1998. This union, however, also faced challenges, with reports of extra-marital affairs on both sides. The couple lived separately for several years before filing for divorce in 2005, which was finalized in 2008. As part of the divorce settlement, Sanjay Dutt reportedly provided Rhea Pillai with a sea-facing luxury apartment and an expensive car, and continued to cover her expenses for a considerable period.

Finally, Sanjay Dutt found stability and enduring love with Maanayata Dutt, born Dilnawaz Shaikh. They reportedly met when he was still linked to Nadia Durrani, but their connection deepened after Nadia exited his life. After a courtship of two years, they married on February 7, 2008, first through a registered marriage in Goa, followed by a Hindu ceremony in Mumbai. Their family expanded on October 21, 2010, with the birth of their twins, a boy Shahraan Dutt and a girl Iqra Dutt.

Maanayata has consistently been described as Sanjay Dutt's pillar of strength, standing by him through his subsequent legal battles and personal challenges. Sanjay Dutt has often expressed his profound gratitude for her unwavering support, famously stating in an interview, > "Maanayata is not my 'better' half but my 'best' half. She is my strength. Whenever I fall down, she supports me. I believe she had suffered more than myself. Raising kids alone and realising each day what she had, I pray that nobody gets to suffer it anywhere." Their relationship signifies a period of stability and contentment in a life marked by significant ups and downs.