'Sanjay will always have my support'

AKANKSHA NAVAL-SHETYE / TNN / May 8, 2007, 00:13 IST

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... says Sanjay Dutt's ex-wife and good friend Rhea Pillai-Paes, as the actor awaits his verdict tomorrow.

... says Sanjay Dutt's ex-wife and good friend Rhea Pillai-Paes, as the actor awaits his verdict tomorrow.
Circa 1993, a nervous-looking Sanjay Dutt was arrested and jailed for 18 months soon after the serial bombings in the city.
And standing steadfast with him during his time of pain and tribulation was Dutt's then girlfriend Rhea Pillai. Even as Dutt languished in jail, Rhea proved to be his pillar of strength.
And soon after his release, Dutt — known for his impulsive ways — proposed to Rhea at a Valentine's Day party and the two married soon after.

Haryana

Jammu & Kashmir

Haryana

Alliance View
i
Party View

Seats: 90

L + W

Majority: 46

BJP

48

CONG

37

INLD

2

AAP

0

OTH

3

Leads + Wins: 90/90

BJP WON

Source: PValue

But it wasn't meant to be, as after a couple of years, they split. However what has lasted till now is a close friendship between the two.
And in spite of their divorce, Dutt continues to be an important part of Rhea's new family including her husband tennis ace Leander Paes and daughter Aiyana.
Reluctant initially to talk about their friendship, she says, "We share a friendship and that's for us to know. The world need not know what or when or how many times we talk. Yes, we are still in contact and he knows me and my family will always stand by him."

However, after some persuasion she agrees to talk. "Sanjay is a kind and a caring person and that will give him the strength to face anything," she says.
"Sanjay is a wonderful man and I mean it with all my heart. I pray, his innocence and the truth gives him the freedom he longs for and so truly deserves. I support him completely," she adds.
About the phase when he was jailed earlier, she insists that it's better to leave the past behind as it's too painful. She explains that no one, but Sanjay alone knows what he has gone through and adds that they could only share his pain, but could not take it away. She says, "But I had faith in him then and I have faith in him today."
And as Sanjay awaits his TADA court verdict tomorrow, Rhea just wishes he emerges out of this, a smiling man. The industry's a witness to his rising like a phoenix and Rhea hopes he will do the same again.
aakanksha.navalshetye@timesgroup.com

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