Bollywood actor Arshad Warsi who had worked with Sanjay Dutt in the hit Munna Bhai series, has reacted to the latter’s cancer diagnosis. He said Sanjay would emerge as a winner because he is a fighter.

Speaking to Indian Daily, he said: “I don’t know anyone who would have survived [the difficulties] that he has faced head-on. Despite the situations, he has an air of positivity. I have never seen him crib about his hardships. He will emerge triumphant here too; he is a fighter.”

The two actors were expected to work in a comedy called Blockbuster next month. In all likelihood, the shoot will be deferred. “Films can come and go, but people like him are rare. I pray that he gets better.”

Arshad also mentioned that he had spoken to Sanjay when he was admitted to Mumbai’s Lilavati hospital. He said: “We spoke when he was hospitalised last week; he assured me he was fine.”

On Tuesday Sanjay Dutt issued a statement on social media saying he was “taking a short break for some medical treatment”.

Media reports later quoted a tweet from respected film trade journalist Komal Nahta saying that the 61-year-old has been diagnosed with lung cancer and would travel to the US for treatment.

Dutt shot to fame in the mid-1980s in a string of action movies in which he performed his own stunts, earning him his nickname.