My dad wanted a public apology and so do I, says Namrata Dutt

"All his life, dad worked very hard to maintain a clean slate. And the fact that Mr Nirupam could point fingers at his character is something Priya, Sanjay and I just couldn’t stand," says Namrata Dutt, adding that the defamation case filed against former Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Nirupam was never closed, so media reports of the case being re-opened are incorrect.

During the 2003 election campaign, Nirupam had cast aspersions on Sunil Dutt’s age and fitness and questioned the number of times the latter had entered Parliament.

However, with Nirupam having joined the Congress recently and sister Priya contesting from their late father’s constituency this year, weren’t there any pressures to drop the case?

"Priya would have definitely told me if there was a problem. But I want to make it clear that we are fighting against a person, not a party," she stresses.

Namrata says there is no question of not going through with the case no matter how many years it takes or roadblocks she has to face. "What really upset us was that he (Nirupam) made personal remarks against dad. In one media report, he actually said dad should make room for younger candidates as who knows when he would die! My dad wanted a public apology and so do I," she says, still aghast by the whole affair.

Last week, the case was once again brought into the spotlight with Priya dropping out as co-complainant on account of her pregnancy. But Namrata makes it clear that she has the full support of not only her sister but also brother - actor Sanjay Dutt - and husband Kumar Gaurav.

A student of Graphic Design, Namrata will soon be re-launching her clothes and furniture store, Bombay Bazaar in Bandra later this year.

For now, she is determined to fight to the finish. "From the moment my mom died, I have been looking after my family. I’m low key by choice, but when it comes to protecting our name, I am willing to go the distance," she signs off.