Close X
Tuesday, October 1, 2024
ADVT 
Bollywood

Sanjay Dutt Finally Walks Out Of Jail, Says Freedom Is Not Sinking In

Darpan News Desk IANS, 25 Feb, 2016 12:41 PM
  • Sanjay Dutt Finally Walks Out Of Jail, Says Freedom Is Not Sinking In
Bollywood star Sanjay Dutt on Thursday walked free from a Pune prison and returned to his home in Mumbai to a hero's welcome, finally ending 23 years of legal troubles that began when he was found with an assault rifle reportedly linked to the 1993 Mumbai blasts.
 
Hundreds of fans gathered outside his Bandra residence, celebrating with song and dance the return to Bollywood of their favourite hero who has been regaling cinegoers for over 30 years. Manyata, his third wife, their twin kids and sister Priya hugged and kissed him. 
 
 
"For 23 years, I wanted to taste freedom, and finally the day has come," Sanjay told an army of journalists after reaching his residential building whose gate was adorned with flowers and surroundings featured his posters.
 
The feeling of being free "is not sinking in", said a tired but visibly happy Sanjay, 56. "I know I will come to terms with it... It still feels like I am out on a furlough or parole. Just to be free is an amazing feeling."
 
It was at 8.35 a.m. that Sanjay, son of legendary actor couple Sunil and Nargis Dutt, stepped out of the Yerwada Central Jail (YCJ), carrying a large shoulder bag and a small plastic bag. In an emotional moment, he kept the large bag down, turned around to kiss the ground and stood up to salute the Indian tricolour fluttering atop the jail.
 
Sanjay, whose versatile filmography includes "Rocky", "Munnabhai M.B.B.S.", "Dushman", "Haseena Maan Jaayegi", "Vaastav: The Reality", "Parineeta" and "Agneepath", spent 18 months in jail as an undertrial before he was granted bail.
 
Later, after a Supreme Court order in May 2013, he was sent to YCJ to serve the remaining 42 months of his five-year sentence. During his jail term, Sanjay came out on parole and furlough multiple times, leading to questions on preferential treatment. 
 
 
Bollywood celebrated too. His friends from the film fraternity accorded a warm welcome. Sanjay is looking forward to being back on screen soon - and his own life story is set to be brought on celluloid by Rajkumar Hirani.
 
"I'm proud to be an Indian," said Sanjay, adding he was missing his father - a former Congress MP -- the most.
 
"If my father was alive, he would have been the most happy person," said the actor, who took a chartered plane from Pune to Mumbai with his family and close friends -- and went straight to the famed Siddhivinayak temple.
 
From there, he went to pray at his mother's grave first and later folded his hands in front of his father's portrait at his residence. Manyata, his third wife, their twin children Iqra and Shahran, sister and ex-MP Priya Dutt and close friends were by his side.
 
Sanjay's fans were all over. They showered their love with garlands when he made his way to his house through a sea of admirers who raised their smartphones in the air to capture the moment. Security was tight, with some of superstar Salman Khan's bodyguards deployed for Sanjay.
 
Near his home, a contingent of drummers played a deafening welcome tune for Sanjay, who sported a casual dark blue shirt and jeans, flaunted salt-pepper sparse hair and a stubbly beard. 
 
Many others celebrated his homecoming in unique ways. 
 
 
These included a free meal of 'Chicken Sanju Baba' at south Mumbai's Noor Mohammadi Hotel, 50 percent discount on all meals, and free servings of a specially created 'Bhai-Baba Chal Mere Bhai' at the Bhaijaanz Restaurant in Bandra.
 
An auto-rickshaw driver, Sandeep Bachche, offered free rides in Bandra.

MORE Bollywood ARTICLES

Sarah Jane Dias Wore Mother's Wedding Gown For Film

Actress Sarah Jane Dias, who features in director Pan Nalin's "Angry Indian Goddesses" (AIG), sported her mother's traditional white Christian bridal gown in the trailer of the film.

Sarah Jane Dias Wore Mother's Wedding Gown For Film

India Is Extraordinary, But Complicated: Padma Lakshmi

India Is Extraordinary, But Complicated: Padma Lakshmi
I think it has a very complicated image in the West. There are extraordinary things, both good and bad, about our country

India Is Extraordinary, But Complicated: Padma Lakshmi

Amitabh Bachchan Takes A Local Train Ride In Mumbai, Sings For Charity

Amitabh Bachchan Takes A Local Train Ride In Mumbai, Sings For Charity
Megastar Amitabh Bachchan was spotted singing in a Mumbai local train to raise money for cancer patients.

Amitabh Bachchan Takes A Local Train Ride In Mumbai, Sings For Charity

Salman Khan Not Interested In Hollywood

Salman Khan Not Interested In Hollywood
Superstar Salman Khan says he is not keen on trying for Hollywood due to the language factor and the fact that it will take time to establish a reputation there.

Salman Khan Not Interested In Hollywood

Aamir Khan Advised Complete Bed Rest Post Injury

Aamir Khan Advised Complete Bed Rest Post Injury
Superstar Aamir Khan, who suffered a muscle spasm in one of his shoulders while shooting an action scene for "Dangal", has been advised by doctors complete bed rest for at least eight days.

Aamir Khan Advised Complete Bed Rest Post Injury

Aaradhya Turns 4: Abhishek Wishes Happy Birthday To His 'Little Angel'

Aaradhya Turns 4: Abhishek Wishes Happy Birthday To His 'Little Angel'
As his bundle of joy turned four on Monday, actor Abhishek Bachchan took a virtual route to wish his 'little angel' Aaradhya a very “happy birthday”.

Aaradhya Turns 4: Abhishek Wishes Happy Birthday To His 'Little Angel'