Sanjay Dutt’s release: A rundown of events!

Sanjay Dutt is a free man now! The actor, who was convicted for possession of an illegal AK-57, was finally released from the Yerwada Jail, Pune on February 25, 2016. Sanjay has now filed a plea for return of passport, which Dutt had surrendered to the court, to be able to travel abroad. Dutt's lawyer, Subhash Jadhav, made the plea on Monday before special judge G A Sanap who presides over Tada Act cases. In response to Dutt’s application, Jhadav said that since the actor has been released, his passport may also be returned. Deepak Salvi, the Counsel of CBI, submitted a reply confirming that the agency has no objection to Sanjay’s plea. While travelling is one of the things Sanju baba deems to do post his release, the actor was also seen bonding big time with his old pals right after his release.

Move on to check out his unique style of bonding…

Sanjay Dutt is in celebration and relaxation mode after getting released from jail. These days, he is regularly attending family get-togethers, events and ceremonies, to catch up with his near ones. According to a report in Mid-day.com, Sanju baba spent his last weekend partying with few of his old friends. He was spotted partying with one of his old pals, Paresh Ghelani, a US-based entrepreneur, whom Dutt fondly refers to as Parya. Ghelani has specially flown in from Los Angeles to spend time with the actor, said the report. The report also said that Dutt made Parya sit on his lap in the car just to strengthen the bond again. Later, Sanjay also had a night out with Parya and businessman friend Raja Dhody at brother-in-law Kumar Gaurav's new residence. The bash was also attended by Sanju's wife, Manyata and sister.

Sanju is also close friends with superstar Salman Khan. Click the following slide

We know that Salman Khan and Sanjay Dutt share a very close friendship and the two proved it yet again. Recent reports claim that Salman offered his Panvel farmhouse to the Dutts for a quick and peaceful getaway post the entire ordeal and is also said to throw a bash to celebrate Sanjay’s release. So what does Sanju Baba think of this gesture? Well, the actor is humbled! During a media interaction, when questioned about the same, Sanjay went ahead to express his fondness for Khan saying, “Salman mera chota bhai hai aur hamesha rahega. Main pray karta hoon ki wo issey bhi bada star baney.” Dutt might have been through tough times, but he sure had his friends and well-wishers by his side all along.

The actor, yesterday, walked out a free man after completing his 5-year imprisonment amidst warm welcomes and grand fan frenzy. Move on to the next slide for a quick lowdown of events from Sanjay’s release…

Sanjay Dutt is a free man as of today, February 25, 2016. The actor was convicted under the Arms Act for possessing an illegal AK – 56 rifle after the 1993 Mumbai blasts. The actor was tried by a special trials court after the Supreme Court held his sentence and was ordered to complete the remainder of his sentence. The actor walked out of the Yerwada Jail, Pune today morning amidst a lot of frenzy. Here’s a low down of events that took place…

Pre-release frenzy…

Ahead of his release, the morning started off with a lot of media and fan frenzy. While journos gathered outside the Yerwada Jail, fans started a pre-release celebration back home as well. The popular Noor Mohammadi restaurant, which serves a special recipe shared by Sanjay Dutt, is serving ‘Chicken Sanju Baba’ free to all customers for a specified time period.

Special message…

While the family and well wishers of the actor from within and outside the industry have eagerly been waiting for the actor’s final walk to freedom, his daughter Trishala (from his first wife, Richa Sharma) also sent across her best from New York. She said, “I'm so excited and thrilled for you, I love you, and I can't wait to see you!" Minutes before his release the girl also tweeted, “SO excited for dad to come home!!! It's almost time!!!”

Walk to freedom…

Around 8:30 today morning, Sanjay finally walked out of the jail. The actor was received by his family and close friends who had gathered to welcome him back. Dutt took everyone by surprise when he kissed the ground and saluted the national flag after walking out. It all made for a very dreamy sequence.

The opening scene…

We know that Rajkumar Hirani’s next venture is a biopic on Sanjay Dutt and reprising the role of the legendary actor is none other than Ranbir Kapoor. While the film is yet to go on floors, Hirani has already shot the first scene of his film… Sanjay Dutt walking out of jail! Yes, Hirani was present with his crew to film Sanjay walking out of the jail and this will be the opening scene of Hirani’s film.

The first selfie…

Sanjay Dutt is not one to forget favours and the actor proved it yet again. After walking out of the jail, the actor took his first selfie with his advocate, Hitesh Jain. The actor is all smiles as he poses for a cute selfie with Hitesh.

The flight…

Anticipating the huge crowds pushing in to welcome the actor, prison officials had advised Sanjay Dutt to fly back to Mumbai instead of taking the road citing security reasons. Accordingly, the actor arrived at the Pune airport with wife Maanyata by his side to board the chartered flight scheduled to fly them back home. Answering to an enthusiastic journo’s repeated questions, the actor said, “There is no easy walk to freedom, my friends.” He then thanked fans for their support saying, “Unke (fans) support ki wajah se main yahan hoon.”

A very happy friend...

Elated with his friend's release, Rajkumar Hirani said that he was very happy that his friend is finally free. He further added, “We are happy that Sanju is back. He has served his term and he's going to come back and play his second innings. Indians are famous for scoring well in the second innings. I'm sure he'll come back and rock it. I look forward to his biopic and also to starting 'Munna Bhai 3' with him very soon.”

Another proud friend…

Filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, who shares a very close bond with the actor too, expressed his delight at the actor’s release. While talking to PTI, Bhatt said, “People have always written his obituary but he has bounced back. He has dazzled everyone with his work. This time too I am hopeful he will come out as a stronger man. I don't look at him as an actor and even he doesn't look at me as a director. While making 'Naam' we came close emotionally. His wife Maanyata wanted me to be at his home today. I think this is a personal moment for him and I don't want to invade on this time. I would surely meet him soon.”

Touchdown in Maximum City...

The actor landed in Mumbai around noon and headed straight to the Siddhivinayak Temple to seek blessings. The security around the temple had been heavily increased ahead of the actor’s arrival. However, Sanjay was flocked by paparazzi and fans as they tried to catch a glimpse of the actor as he paid his respect to Lord Ganesha.

Welcome tweets…

Sanjay also received a very warm welcome from his friends and co-stars, Rishi Kapoor and Juhi Chawla. Though the two weren’t present in Pune to receive Dutt, they took to Twitter to send across their warm wishes. While Rishi tweeted, “Welcome back to the grind! Make some memorable movies now,” Juhi’s tweets read, “Welcome back Sanjay ..!! Very very happy for all the Dutt family ..!!! Wish Sanjay all God's blessings .....!!.”

The best gift…

According to reports on BollywoodLife.com, post the entire ordeal, Sanjay Dutt will take a break and spend some time with his family at Salman Khan’s farmhouse at Panvel. Reportedly, Salman, who shares a very strong bong with the Dutts, had offered them the place and will join them for a while to attend a release bash planned for Sanjay at the farmhouse. The party will be attended by all their friends and well wishers.

Motherly blessings…

After Lord Ganesh, Sanjay went on to seek blessings from his late mother Nargis. The actor’s next stop was Bada Qabrastan at Marine Lines, Mumbai where he visited his mother’s grave, yet again amidst over enthusiastic paparazzi and fans. The actor’s wife studiously stood by his side all along. The couple then headed straight for his final stop… home sweet home!

The final stop…

The actor finally headed home to his Bandra residence where he was welcomed by a huge crowd of fans gathered outside Imperial Heights to celebrate their star’s freedom. While huge posters of the actor, congratulating him and welcoming him back, adorned the streets, fans also danced to dhol beats rejoicing the grand occasions. The actor will now interact with the media.