This actor debuted alongside Tabu, quit her career after marrying an A-ler only to get divorced, died of cancer like her legendary mother-in-law | Bollywood News

Sanjay Dutt appears to be a happily married man today with his wife Maanayata Dutt and their twins, Iqra and Shehran. However, not many know that Maanayata is actually his third wife. Dutt’s second marriage, to air-hostess-turned-model Rhea Pillai, lasted a decade (1998–2008). His first marriage to Richa Sharma, meanwhile, is remembered as a more tragic chapter in his life.
Born in 1964 in Delhi, Richa Sharma soon moved to New York with her family. However, she continued to harbour a love for Hindi cinema in the US. A huge fan of late legendary actor Dev Anand, she met him in America and expressed her desire to work as an actor in Hindi films. Dev, however, explained to her that she was only 13-14 years old then, but when the time is right, he’d launch her in a Bollywood movie.
Then came his 1985 directorial Hum Naujawan, for which Dev Anand auditioned and eventually selected Richa Sharma for her debut role. Interestingly, the film also marked the debut of Tabu, who continues to work as a formidable leading lady in Indian films today. Her breakthrough paved the way for her to star in films like Insaaf Ki Awaaz (1986), Sadak Chhap (1987), and Anubhav (1987).
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Richa Sharma and Dev Anand in Hum Naujawan. (Express archive photo)
Richa began dating Sanjay Dutt, who was at the peak of his career, soon after her debut. After he proposed to her, she was hesitant that her parents would accept their relationship, given Sanjay’s reputation of being a womanizer and a drug addict. However, the Khal Nayak actor promised to be a better man, following which the two tied the knot in 1987.
A year later, they became parents to daughter Trishala Dutt. The happiest news of their married life was followed closely the saddest news — Richa Sharma was diagnosed with cancer. It was a cruel irony since Sanjay Dutt lost his mother, legendary actor Nargis, to cancer too, that too days before the release of his blockbuster debut film, Rocky (1981), directed his father and veteran actor, Sunil Dutt.
Like his father did for his mother, Sanjay also took Richa to New York to get her the best treatment. However, given he was at the peak of his career, Sanjay couldn’t take enough time out to visit his wife as he continued to shoot for films he’d committed to in Mumbai. The rumours of an affair with his Khal Nayak (1993) co-star Madhuri Dixit began doing the rounds.
Sanjay Dutt and Richa Sharma at an event. (Express archive photo)
After being declared cancer-free, Richa Sharma returned to India, but wasn’t even received Sanjay Dutt at the airport despite calling him twice, as per what her ser Ena Sharma told the media then. Initially hopeful that Sanjay would leave Madhuri to come back to Richa, she soon saw reason and moved back to New York with Trishala. Sanjay also sent her the divorce papers, much to her shock.Story continues below this ad
After finalizing divorce, Richa’s cancer relapsed. Sanjay was in jail then, arrested under the TADA and Arms Act after the 1993 Mumbai bomb blasts. Richa died a lonely death at the age of 32 in 1996 as Sanjay couldn’t even visit her owing to his imprisonment. Their daughter Trishala was raised her maternal aunt Ena and her maternal grandparents in New York.
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Sanjay Dutt went on to reunite with his estranged daughter Trishala Dutt years later in 2008 while shooting for the film Blue in the Bahamas. As per the first edition of People magazine in India, Sanjay told Trishala, “You remind me of my youth. I love you beta.” “He seems to be happy, and if he is happy, then I’m happy for him. If he found what he needs in her (Maanayata), then that’s great,” Trishala said in the interview.