Shekhar Suman DEFENDS Sanjay Dutt over Shekhar Tonite remarks: “What he said was completely innocuous”

Shekhar Suman has supported Sanjay Dutt after some people got upset with the actor's recent remarks on Shekhar Tonite.

The comments were made during an episode that aired around Gandhi Jayanti, and they stirred a lot of discussion online.Dutt later explained that his words were part of a planned, fun conversation.

Speaking to NDTV, Shekhar Suman said he supports Dutt and believes the actor’s remarks were not meant to upset anyone.

He also described Shekhar Tonite as a satirical show that is “pro-people” and “totally unbiased and democratic.”  

Shekhar Suman defends Sanjay Dutt  

Discussing the situation, Suman said he has known Sanjay Dutt for a long time and believes the actor’s comments were made in a positive spirit.

“Sanjay Dutt has a lot of respect for our country and our people, and what he said was completely harmless and in a very positive way.He should not be criticized or treated badly for what he never said or meant,” Suman told NDTV.

He also praised Dutt’s character, saying, “I know him for years; he is a good man who loves his country and has the highest regard for it.”  

Suman’s comments came after Dutt himself addressed the controversy and explained what he meant during the show.

What Sanjay Dutt said on Shekhar Tonite  

Dutt appeared on Shekhar Tonite on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti and shared his thoughts about the country.

During the conversation, he praised Indians for being friendly and generous but said he felt that the peace he associated with the country was missing.

“People in this country are so lovely.

There should be peace here.I can’t feel that peace in our country anymore.We Indians are large-hearted people, and we are hospitable.We have given so much, and we should always remain that way.I pray to Shivji that those days come back soon,” he said.

Sanjay Dutt issues clarification  

After the reactions, Dutt posted on X to explain his position.

He said he never intended to hurt or disrespect anyone with his comments.“I would like to clarify that it was never my intention to hurt, offend, or disrespect the sentiments of any individual, community, or institution,” Dutt wrote.

The actor also explained that the conversation was part of a scripted segment intended to be funny, not a serious criticism.

“My remarks were made in the context of a scripted conversation intended to be light-hearted and humorous,” he said.

Dutt also connected the tone of the conversation to the humor and satire seen in the Munna Bhai films, especially the idea of “Gandhigiri.” According to him, the message was one of love, warmth, togetherness, and goodwill.

He also added that his words were taken out of context.

Shekhar Suman calls for context  

With his latest comments, Suman has supported Dutt’s explanation and argued that the actor should not face criticism for how his words were interpreted, which, according to both of them, was not the intended meaning.

Suman’s defense also comes in the context of Shekhar Tonite being a satirical show.

He maintained that the show is designed to use humor and satire while staying “pro-people” and “totally unbiased and democratic.”