Sanjay Dutt said Thursday he is "shattered" by the Supreme Court verdict sentencing him to five years in prison in the 1993 Mumbai blasts case. He said he will complete all his pending films, and that he ought to be strong in these trying times for his family and children.
"I have already suffered for 20 years and been in jail for 18 months. If they want me to suffer more I have to be strong. I am heart broken because today along with me, my three children and my wife and my family will undergo the punishment," Sanjay said in a statement.
Sanjay, who has been asked to surrender within four weeks and has projects estimated at Rs.100 crore riding on him, added: "I have always respected the judicial system and will continue to do so, even with tears in my eyes. I am going to complete all my films and won't let anyone down. I am overwhelmed by the support of my fans the industry people, the media and all the well wishers."
Sanjay is currently married to Manyata, with whom he entered wedlock in 2008. She is his third wife. The actor has two children with Manyata - twins Shahraan and Iqra - and elder daughter Trishala from his first wife Richa Sharma.
The actor, who was convicted under the Arms Act for illegally possessing weapons, had been awarded six years imprisonment by the TADA (Terrorists and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act) court. However, the apex court reduced the sentence from six years to five years. This effectively means that Dutt will be in jail for three years and six months as he has already undergone 18 months imprisonment.
The apex court Thursday upheld Sanjay's conviction under the Arms Act in the terror attack for illegal possession of a 9 mm pistol and an AK-56 rifle.
The Supreme Court also upheld the death sentence of Yakub Abdul Razak Memon in the 1993 Mumbai blasts case and commuted the death sentence of 10 others in relation with the blasts, in which a series of 13 car bomb blasts ripped across Mumbai.
Several actors and filmmakers from the Hindi movie industry came out on social networking sites to share how "good-hearted" the 53-year-old, Bollywood's much-loved "Munna Bhai" really is.
"I know in my heart that I have always been a good human being, respected the system and always been loyal to my country. My family is very emotional right now and I have to be strong for them. I am shattered and in emotional distress. I am sorry I can't come down and meet you all. God is great and he will guide me through this," Sanjay added.
Freedom is all I want
Just two days prior to the Supreme Court's verdict on his long- pending case, Sanju talks about all the things important to him. Excerpts of the interview and how the judgement will affect Munnabhai's upcoming projects
Two days before the Supreme Court gave its verdict on Sanjay Dutt's long-pending case on illegal possession of arms, the actor was in an unusually jocular mood. It was to be one of the last interviews given by the star before yesterday's verdict found him guilty. The actor had been shooting at a stable in Goregaon and chatted quite freely, even revealing why people think he is not media-friendly.
In an earlier interview you said - 'I don't want name or fame. I just want freedom...'
Yes! I was talking about my case, as you know. I just pray that the case gets over and I get my freedom. There are too many restrictions on me right now, including restrictions on travel. I have to take permissions. It's been on for 20 years now, which is a very long time. I wish and pray to God that either I get acquitted or I get free. Freedom is all that I want.
How have you been coping?
Family always sticks by you along with a couple of friends who you can count on your fingertips. But I don't blame anyone. Lots of things have happened and I don't want to get into details.
Has fatherhood made you more disciplined?
I think once you reach your 40s, things change a lot. A person matures and looks at life differently. Especially, after you have kids and a family. I have definitely changed for the better.
Besides work, what else has been on your mind lately?
Besides work, it's health.
Do your twins watch your films?
Shahraan and Iqra are too small to really understand but yes, sometimes they do. Sometimes they watch the shots and get excited.
What has Trishala been up to these days?
Trishala has studied forensic science and I hope she sticks to that. I think it's a very honourable job where you are there with an agency, trying to help innocent people and I just hope she keeps to that. I can't travel, so I can't meet her that often. I think one day when I can, I will definitely meet her more often.
Your resolution last year was to try and quit smoking. Any luck?
I had said I will try! To be honest I have to be really strong. One day I will really quit. I have already quit drinking.
You are playing a cop in your new film.
Yes, my role is that of a police officer who comes to a certain town and fights for his rights.
Munnabhai is also on the anvil.
Munnabhai is about to start and I am really looking forward to that. I have two more films with Rahul Aggarwal, which are yet to be announced.
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