Bollywood hails Dutt's brief reprieve

Bollywood has erupted with joy over the news of Sanjay Dutt's [Images] release on bail by the Supreme Court.

"Justice prevails and our faith in the judiciary stands vindicated," producer-director Sanjay Gupta, Dutt's close friend, said.

Rohit Roy, another friend of Dutt's and his costar in the film Shootout At Lokhandwala [Images], added, "It is great news. We were hoping he would get bail."

The relief, however, is temporary as the Supreme Court will further decide on the case after the final draft of the TADA judgment is handed over to Dutt.

The actor was granted interim bail by a bench headed by Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan on the ground that he did not possess a copy of the judgment.

The actor was sentenced to six years in jail under the Arms Act, along with other 1993 blasts accused on July 31 by TADA court judge, P D Kode.

The actor will be released from Yerwada jail in Pune on Tuesday after spending 21 days in jail. Dutt has already served 16 months in jail in 1994-95.

His sister Priya Dutt told reporters that she was happy about her brother's release, and that she had full faith in the judiciary.

Dutt may be able to celebrate Raksha Bandhan on August 28 with his family.

Speaking from Dubai, director Mahesh Bhatt [Images] said, "Andhere kamre mein thodi si hawa aai hai lekin abhi kamra khula nahi hai (Some air has entered the dark room, but the room is still locked)."

Before going to jail, Dutt was shooting for Kidnap, directed by Sanjay Dhoom Gadhvi. At least Rs 50 crores is riding on the actor. The fate of other films like Alibaug and Mr Fraud also hangs in the balance.

"Even though he has got bail, much depends on what happens in the final judgement. After all, this is just an interim bail," film trade analyst Taran Adarsh said. "Whether or not his projects will be completed depends on how long he is out on bail. He has some major projects like Abbas-Mustan's next, and he would require some time before he can complete them," he added.

Industry sources said it was unlikely that producers would start any of the films soon, until it was clear what period of time the actor would remain out of jail.

"It is the result of prayers of millions that he got justice," Subhash Ghai [Images] says. "My family and I are extremely happy that now Sanju can breath."

It has been a long and tiring journey for the 48-year-old actor whose name surfaced during the investigation into the March 12, 1993, serial blasts that killed 257 people and injured hundreds of others.

With inputs from PTI