'Sanju has always been a fighter'

A day after Sanjay Dutt announced a break from films for medical treatment, his wife Maanayata Dutt said the actor is a 'fighter,' who has always emerged winner amid adverse conditions, while urging fans to not fall prey to speculation.

Dutt, who turned 61 on July 29, was admitted to the Lilavati Hospital in Bandra, north west Mumbai, over the weekend after complaining of breathlessness.

He was discharged from the medical facility on August 10 and he posted a message on social media: 'Hi friends. I am taking a short break from work for some medical treatment. My family and friends are with me and I urge my well wishers not to worry or unnecessarily speculate. With your love and good wishes, I will be back soon.'

Sanjay requested well-wishers to not speculate about his health amid rumours that he has been diagnosed with lung cancer.

In a statement to PTI, Maanayata, who is currently in Dubai with her twins, thanked people for their well wishes for her husband's speedy recovery and said: 'We need all the strength and prayers to overcome this phase. There is a lot that the family has gone through in the past years but I am confident, this too shall pass.'

She appealed to the people to refrain from speculation.

'However, it is my heartfelt request to Sanju's fans to not fall prey to speculation and unwarranted rumours, but to just help us with their ongoing love, warmth and support.'

'Sanju has always been a fighter, and so has our family. God has yet again chosen to test us to overcome the challenges ahead,' she said.

'All we seek is your prayers and blessings, and we know we will emerge as winners on the other side, as we always have. Let us use this opportunity to spread light and positivity,' Maanayata added.

Sanjay Dutt's producer friend Rahul Mittra also asked fans and the media to exercise restraint.

"This is all speculation, the reports have not come out yet. It is not confirmed whether it is there or not. At the moment, there is no confirmation about his illness and details about it. He has got his tests done," Mittra told PTI.

"I request everyone to exercise constraint... He has been a fighter and always will be. He has been interacting with his fans and well wishers both before going to hospital and after getting discharged. We should wait for his statement rather than speculating and wish him all the best," he added.

On the work front, Dutt has three films up for release on digital platforms.

While Sadak 2 and Bhuj: The Pride of India, will premiere on Disney+Hotstar, action-thriller Torbaaz will stream on Netflix.

He will also star in the second installment of KGF and Shamshera.

In 2019, the actor featured in three movies -- Ashutosh Gowariker's period drama Panipat, the Karan Johar-produced Kalank and the political drama Prassthanam.