Sanjay Dutt celebrated his 14th wedding anniversary with wife Maanayata Dutt on February 11, 2022. (All photos/Maanayata Dutt's Instagram account)

It is said that Maanayata met Sanjay Dutt at a Bollywood party. While they say Sanjay Dutt was already involved with someone else when he met Maanayata, she won him over with her simplicity.

After a 2-year courtship, Maanayata and Sanjay officiated their love by tying the knot. The wedding happened in 2008 at Sanju's close buddy Pradeep Sinha's Versova home at Badrinath Towers - a hush-hush event that took the industry by surprise. 

"It was tough keeping it a secret. Imagine planning a wedding at your home but not telling anyone who the groom and bride is," recalls Pradeep Sinha.

Sanjay Dutt and Maanayata (born Dilnawaz Sheikh) first registered their marriage in Goa. Reminiscing the wedding memories, she said, "We didn't go to Goa to get married; we were already there shooting for Kidnap. Sanju was always an impulsive person, especially when you look at his second marriage. So on February 14 he just woke up and got married in a temple at 4 am. We had wanted to get married for quite some time but there were legal settlements pending with respect to his second wife. So those were settled on February 6 the lawyers faxed us the papers and Sanju was just celebrating, and he turned around and said let's get married tomorrow. We didn't know that Goa has a Portuguese law which is very different from Indian law so you can't just get married. And Sanju is a big name, anything he does gets reported."

Sanjay Dutt got stability in her life, said Maanayata in an interview with mid-day (dated 2009), 'I've never been happier. I've got the best man any woman could get. When I was going through hell before my marriage I'd pick up the phone and ask him for help. Sanju has stood by me through thick and thin. I've known him for nine years. We're both very positive people and we like to live and let live. We both believe in forgiving. And we believe every saint can have a past. And every sinner can have a future. We started seeing each other seriously in 2005. But he knew everything about my past. So when 'friends' tried to provoke him he just laughed it off.'

Sanjay Dutt's family did not make an appearance at the wedding. When asked, his sister Priya Dutt exclaimed that she was not even aware of her brother's nuptials. However, things are all good between Priya Dutt and Maanayata Dutt now.

Back then when Maanayata was not accepted by Sanjay Dutt's sisters, she was quoted saying, 'I'm not someone to push for acceptance. I've never nagged Sanju for anything. I leave space for options. Sanju knows I've tried to do as much in my capacity (to find acceptance with the sisters). Beyond that, he wouldn't like me to try any further. Neither would I.'

She further added, 'When Sanju stands by me like a pillar of strength nothing else matters. Sanju says that if his mom was alive she'd have approved of me. What more can I want? There are very few people I trust. My friends and I go back 20-22 years. They can hurt me, not others.'

Sanjay Dutt and Maanayata Dutt became proud parents to twins Shahraan and Iqra on October 21, 2010.

Maanayata is Sanjay Dutt's third wife. While she was married to a small-time actor before she wed Sanjay Dutt, the actor was previously married to late actress Richa Sharma and Art Of Living enthusiast Rhea Pillai.

Sanjay Dutt has a daughter Trishala from his marriage to Richa Sharma, who resides in New York. Maanayata is on good terms with her as well.

Maanayata Dutt brought stability and balance to Sanjay Dutt's controversial life. 'I don't think any job is as hard as looking after your husband's home. Any other job ends at 6 pm. At home, when it's time to call it a day, your husband walks in. And the day begins again. It's a 24-hour challenge. And I love challenges,' said Mrs. Dutt.

Maanayata Dutt held the fort at home, while Sanjay Dutt was serving time in jail for possession of illegal arms and ammunition case.

Maanayata has also controlled her husband's finances for the betterment, of course! 'I wouldn't like to name them. But the unnecessary expenses Sanju was making for some people have been stopped. Sanju was implementing financial responsibilities that were not his. That has also made some people hate me. But his finances were being handled by the wrong people. There was so much ghaplaa in his accounts. If I open my mouth about it, no one will be spared,' said Maanayata.

Today Sanjay Dutt and Maanayata Dutt are one of the strongest couples in Bollywood.

We wish the couple a healthy, happy, adventurous and gratifying life ahead.

P.S: Happy birthday, Maanayata!