New Delhi: Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt was admitted to Mumbai's Kokilaben Dhirubai Ambani hospital for his cancer treatment on Tuesday (August 18). The 'Khalnayak' actor was reportedly diagnosed with stage four lung cancer last week. Earlier in the day, Sanjay was spotted with his wife Maanayata Dutt and two sisters Priya and Namrata outside their residence while leaving for the hospital. Maanayata hugged her husband before he left for the hospital.

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Maanayata issued a statement and requested the fans to 'stop speculating about the stage of Sanjay Dutt's illness' and let 'doctors do their work'. She also informed that the 'Lage Raho Munna Bhai' star will complete his preliminary treatment in Mumbai. She added that her family will formulate further travel plans depending on the COVID-19 situation.

Maanayata thanked the well wishes for their love and support.

"To all of Sanju’s fans and well wishers, I can’t begin to thank you for the love and warmth you have shown him all these years. Sanju has been through many ups and downs in his life, but what has kept him going through every tough phase has always been your adulation and support. And for this, we will always be grateful. We are now being tested through yet another challenge, and I know, the same love and warmth will see him through this time as well.

As a family, we have decided to face this with positivity and grace. We are going to go about our life as normally as possible, with a smile, because this will be a tough fight and a long journey. And, we need to do this for Sanju, without any negativity setting in," Maanayata said in a statement.



The 42-year-old informed her fans that she couldn't go the hospital to support Sanjay as she is under home-quarantine. She added that her quarantine will end in a couple of days. For the uninitiated, Maanayata and her two children Iqra and Shahraan returned to Mumbai from Dubai in a special flight after Sanjay was admitted to the hospital.

She further said, "In these trying times, unfortunately, I have been unable to be by his side in the hospital, due to my home quarantine which ends in a couple of days. Every battle has a torchbearer and someone who holds the fort. Priya who has worked extensively over two decades with our family-run Cancer foundation, and who has also seen her mother battle this illness, has been our incredible torchbearer, while I will hold the fort.

For those asking, Sanju will complete his preliminary treatment in Mumbai. We will formulate further plans of travel depending on how and when the covid situation eases. As of now, Sanju is in the best hands of our esteemed doctors at Kokilaben hospital."

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Calling Sanjay the 'heart and soul of the family', Maanayata said that they are determined the fight the battle.

"I request everyone, with my folded hands, to stop speculating the stage of his illness and let the doctors continue to do their work. We will update you all regularly with his progress. Sanju is not only my husband and father to our children, but he has also been a father figure to Anju and Priya, after losing their parents. He is the heart and soul of our family. While our family is shaken up, we are determined to fight tooth and nail. With God and your prayers on our side, together we will overcome, and emerge as winners," Maanayata said in a statement.



On the professional front, Sanjay Dutt will be next seen in 'Sadak 2'. The movie co-starring Alia Bhatt, Aditya Roy Kapur and Pooja Bhatt will premiere directly on Disney+Hotstar on August 28.

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We wish Sanjay Dutt a very a speedy recovery.