When Sanjay Dutt expressed anger over his daughter Trishala calling him ‘Uncle’

Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt has had a life filled with highs and lows, not just professionally but also in his relationships. One of the most emotionally turbulent phases of his life was his marriage to Richa Sharma, which ended on a tragic note due to her untimely demise. According to a report in Koimoi, an incident deeply affected him, when his daughter Trishala Dutt referred to him as ‘Uncle’ instead of ‘Dad.’
Tragic struggles
Sanjay Dutt and Richa Sharma married in 1987 after falling in love on a film set. Despite Richa being based in New York, she convinced her family and moved to India to start a life with the actor. The couple welcomed their daughter, Trishala, but their marriage faced immense challenges. Richa was diagnosed with a brain tumor, and around the same time, Sanjay Dutt became entangled in the 1993 Mumbai blasts case due to the possession of illegal arms. His frequent court appearances and jail term made it difficult for him to be there for his wife, leading to increasing tensions.
While Richa underwent treatment in New York, her parents accused Sanjay Dutt of neglecting her. Reports of his alleged affair with Madhuri Dixit further strained the relationship, and the couple eventually separated. However, they never divorced legally.
Trishala calls him Uncle
Things took a turn for the worse when Sanjay Dutt discovered that Trishala, who was living with her mother in the U.S., had started calling him ‘Uncle.’ In a 1993 interview with Movie Magazine, the actor expressed his anger, saying, “Even if I’m not around, is it not Richa’s duty to keep my memory alive in my child’s mind?” He insisted that had the roles been reversed, he would have ensured Richa’s memory remained alive for their daughter.
Sanjay Dutt also accused Richa’s parents of trying to separate him from Trishala. He recalled them asking about her custody even while Richa was still battling her illness.Despite the painful past, Trishala Dutt and Sanjay Dutt now share a strong father-daughter bond.