Sanjay Dutt announces acting break, reportedly diagnosed with lung cancer

The Bollywood star has urged people not to worry

Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt waves as he returns home after being discharged from a hospital in Mumbai on August 10, 2020. AFP 

Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt has announced that he will be taking time off work for medical treatment.

The Munna Bhai M B B S star put a statement out on Twitter on Tuesday, August 11, saying that his family and friends are with him, urging well-wishers not to worry.

“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,” the tweet read.

On Saturday, August 8, the actor was admitted to Lilavati Hospital after experiencing breathlessness. He took to social media to announce that he did not have coronavirus and was discharged two days later.

Although the actor has asked fans not to speculate, it is being widely reported in Indian media that he has been diagnosed with lung cancer. According to Hindustan Times, sources at Lilavati hospital have confirmed this. Indian media is also reporting that he plans to get treatment in the United States.

The star’s wife, Maanayata Dutt and their two children are in Dubai, where they have been for most of the year.

Although Dutt is yet to confirm the specifics of his condition, fans and colleagues have taken to social media to wish him a speedy recovery, citing lung cancer.

The actor's upcoming movie Sadak 2 is scheduled to stream on August 28 on Disney+ Hotstar. It is a sequel to the 1991 crime drama starring Pooja Bhatt and Dutt, and both actors are reprising their roles from the original movie.

Sanjay Dutt is the son of late Bollywood actors Nargis and Sunil Dutt. His mother passed away in 1981 due to pancreatic cancer. His first wife, Richa Sharma, died of a brain tumour in 1996.

His life has been a turbulent one, and he served a 42-month prison sentence due to a charge for illegal possession of weapons connected to the 1993 Mumbai blasts case.