It started with a photo. Just one picture of Karishma Kapoor’s son surfaced online—and within minutes, fans noticed something odd. The resemblance wasn’t to his maternal grandfather Raj Kapoor, nor to his father Sunjay Kapur. No, the boy’s sharp jawline, eyes, and even the smirk reminded people of someone else entirely. Sanjay Dutt.

And with that, an old Bollywood rumor roared back to life, stronger and louder than ever before.

Back in the 1990s, Karishma Kapoor and Sanjay Dutt were the stuff of tabloids. She was young, radiant, riding the wave of fame, and he was the rugged, rebellious star who was both feared and admired. Their chemistry on screen was undeniable. Off-screen? It was a whirlwind of whispered romances, secret meetings, and lingering glances that fans and journalists couldn’t ignore.

Though neither ever confirmed a relationship publicly, industry insiders recall how close they became during the shooting of films like Khalnayak and Thanedaar. Set visits turned into late-night conversations. Magazine covers hinted at something deeper. And for a brief period, it seemed like Sanjay and Karishma were more than just co-stars.

But then, just as suddenly, it ended.

Sanjay Dutt was caught in legal battles, dealing with his own demons, and Karishma moved on—both personally and professionally. Years later, she married industrialist Sunjay Kapur. The headlines faded. The romance rumors were buried beneath layers of new celebrity gossip.

Until now.

When people saw the recent photo of Karishma’s son, they didn’t see Sunjay Kapur’s features. They saw Sanjay Dutt’s. And the internet did what it does best—speculated, analyzed, and theorized.

“Just look at the boy’s face. That’s Sanjay Dutt in the 90s,” one user posted. Another said, “You can’t tell me there wasn’t something between Karishma and Sanjay. The resemblance is too strong.”

Old interviews resurfaced. In one, Sanjay Dutt had once spoken of Karishma as “one of the most grounded and pure souls in the industry.” In another, Karishma had laughed shyly when asked about working with Sanjay, saying, “He’s intense… and very protective.”

Was there more to those words than professional admiration?

Adding more fuel to the fire, a former staff member of a 90s film set anonymously claimed: “Everyone on that set knew. They were always together. And not just as friends. But the families didn’t approve.”

The Kapoor family was reportedly never comfortable with the rumors, especially with Sanjay Dutt’s then-controversial image. And Karishma, always conscious of her public persona and family legacy, pulled away. Some say it broke her heart.

Fast-forward to today, and the focus is suddenly back—not on what was, but what might have been. Could her son’s appearance be a coincidence? Genetics can be tricky. People often resemble distant relatives. But when comparisons line up too clearly, the questions start.

Of course, DNA doesn’t lie. And there’s no public reason to doubt the paternity of Karishma’s children. But public curiosity rarely operates on facts—it thrives on suggestion, mystery, and the allure of the unknown.

Karishma Kapoor has not responded to the rumors. Nor has Sanjay Dutt. Sunjay Kapur, now separated from Karishma, has also remained silent. But the silence only invites more noise.

Many fans, however, urge compassion.

“Even if there was a past, that’s her private life,” one Twitter user wrote. “Dragging a child into it is unfair.”

And yet, the fascination endures. Not because people want to judge Karishma—but because the story feels unfinished. Two Bollywood icons, a mysterious breakup, and now a child who unintentionally resembles a man from his mother’s rumored past. It sounds like a movie script, but it’s unfolding in real life.

At the heart of it is Karishma—once the shy Kapoor daughter who dazzled on screen, now a dignified mother trying to raise her children away from the chaos of celebrity speculation.

Those who know her describe her as fiercely protective of her family. A woman who’s endured the scrutiny of the spotlight for decades, and yet managed to hold her head high.

“She’s survived scandals, divorce, public judgment. And through it all, she’s put her children first,” said a close friend of the actress. “That’s who she is.”

As for Sanjay Dutt, he’s now a different man. Older, calmer, having made peace with his past. Whether Karishma was part of that journey will likely remain a question only the two of them can answer.

Until then, the photos will keep circulating, the comments will keep pouring in, and the truth—if it exists beyond speculation—will remain buried in memories neither star seems willing to revisit.

And perhaps that’s the most human part of it all. Some love stories aren’t meant for the public. Some connections, no matter how real, fade into the quiet corners of time.

But every once in a while, a face, a glance, a photo—brings it all back.