Bollywood welcomes Sanjay Dutts bail, but actor awaits his release

The Mumbai film industry has welcomed the Supreme Courts decision granting interim bail to actor Sanjay Dutt in connection with the 1993 Mumbai blasts case. But the actor is still awaiting his release since the requisite papers have not reached Yeravada jail, where he is lodged.

New Delhi/Pune, Aug 21 : The Mumbai film industry has welcomed the Supreme Court's decision granting interim bail to actor Sanjay Dutt in connection with the 1993 Mumbai blasts case. But the actor is still awaiting his release since the requisite papers have not reached Yeravada jail, where he is lodged.

The Bollywood actor, who has been sentenced to six years of rigorous imprisonment by the TADA court for violating the Arms Act at the height of the 1993 communal riots in Mumbai, had filed a bail plea at the apex court, earlier this month.

"We are relieved, we are happy. I pray for everything being sorted out for the best for Sanjay Dutt," said actor Shah Rukh Khan.

"I appreciate and recognise the fact that if some kind of unlawful aspect is attached to Sanjay Dutt's life, there has to be a punishment attached to it and none of us in the film industry believe that he should not pay if he has made a mistake. We also believe that he has paid a lot already," he added.

Director Rajkumar Hirani said: "Obviously, all of us are very happy that Sanju will come back and... nothing can get better than having Sanjay Dutt back amongst us."

Actor Jackie Shroff said he wished that Dutt was finally acquitted of the charges and he could get back to his acting career.

"I am very happy hearing that he has got bail, but I will be happier if he is acquitted," said Shroff.

Director Vidhu Vinod Chopra said the apex court's decision has deepened his faith in the judiciary.

"I was very sad (when Dutt's was refused bail by TADA court), but I always had faith in Indian judiciary. I really felt that finally I am a great believer of the Indian Judicial system," he said.

"Whenever, I talk about Sanju, I always speak emotionally. We are thrilled and I can only speak very emotionally when I say that I always wish him all the best," said director Karan Johar.

Millions of dollars are riding on Dutt by way of film projects stuck in the pipeline since his conviction.

Meanwhile, Dutt could not be freed on bail today as legal documents for his release did not reach the Yeravada jail.

The bail order of the apex court, which was expected to be produced before the TADA court, was not received in the jail before dusk today.

Thus the formalities regarding Dutt's release could be completed only tomorrow.

ANI