Sanjay Dutt exits jail to cheers, criticism

Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt was released from prison on Thursday after serving a five-year sentence for possessing illegal weapons. Thousands of cheering fans lined up to greet him but critics alleged police accorded the star preferential treatment. The 56-year-old actor walked out of Pune’s Yerawada Jail around 8.30am, touched the ground, saluted the national flag and met his wife Manyata, children and close friends.

“For the 23 years I wanted to be a free man, I wanted to taste freedom. But the feeling of being is still not sinking in. To be free is the most amazing feeling,” he said. Dutt flew to Mumbai in a chartered aircraft, went to the Siddhivinayak Temple and then to his mother’s grave at Bada Kabrastan before reaching his Bandra home where thousands of fans danced to the beat of dhols and threw garlands around his neck. “I miss my father today. He would have been the happiest person as his only motive was to see his son free today. Dad, I am free today and I love you,” said Dutt, dressed in a blue shirt and jeans.