Exclusive: Manoj Bajpayee reveals why wife turned down Sanjay Dutt biopic

Actor Manoj Bajpayee’s wife Shabana, who has taken a sabbatical from work, was offered to play Manyata Dutt’s character in the Dutt biopic. The actress, however, turned down the offer owing to her changed priorities — her daughter.

Speaking about his wife’s decision, the actor said, “She was not planning to make a comeback. She was offered this role but she said no because she wants to spend time with our daughter. However, Shabana has done a commercial recently. She is open to doing a shoot if it lasts just a few days, but the Dutt biopic required more dates.” If given a chance, Manoj says he’d love to share screen space with his wife. “I would love to work with her. The day she makes a come back and asks me to do a film, I will do it. She has done a huge sacrifice for me and I owe it to her.”

Shabana Raza made her debut in Bollywood opposite Bobby Deol in Kareeb. When she entered showbiz in 1998, she was known as Neha.