Actor Sanjay Dutt’s daughter, Trishala Dutt, shared a deeply personal note on her Instagram Stories on Monday, opening up about mental health, toxic family dynamics, and the pressure of maintaining a “family image.” Her candid words sparked widespread attention online.

Trishala began her message by challenging the idea that blood relations automatically deserve a place in one's life. “Not everyone who shares your blood deserves a place in your life,” she wrote. “Sometimes, the most draining, invalidating, and dismissive people we know carry the title ‘family.’ You’re allowed to protect your peace. You’re allowed to go low-contact or no contact. You’re allowed to choose your mental health over preserving the family image.”

She went on to say that being a parent or a family member doesn’t justify manipulation or emotional harm: “Because ‘family’ is not a free pass to mistreat, manipulate, or guilt-trip you. You DO NOT owe continued access to anyone who keeps hurting you — even if they raised you.”

Highlighting the disconnect between appearances and reality, she added, “When a parent cares more about how the family appears to the world than how it actually feels to live in it, that’s a problem.”

Trishala is Sanjay Dutt’s daughter from his first marriage to actor Richa Sharma, who passed away in 1996 due to a brain tumour. Since then, Trishala has lived in the U.S. with her maternal grandparents. Despite living apart, Sanjay maintains a public bond with his daughter. Earlier this month, on August 10, he posted a birthday message for her on Instagram, writing, “Happy birthday @trishaladutt, Always proud of you, always love you,” alongside a sweet photo.

Sanjay Dutt later married Rhea Pillai in 1998, and after their divorce in 2008, he tied the knot with Manyata Dutt. The couple has twins — Shahraan and Iqra.