Mumbai:

Bollywood has erupted with joy over the news of Sanjay Dutt’s 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 co-star in the film Shootout At Lokhandwala added, “It is great news. We were hoping he would get bail.”

“It’s fantastic news,” said top Bollywood producer Ravi Chopra. “He’s learnt the lessons he had to learn and now we hope the court takes a lenient view.”

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 will be released from Yerwada jail in Pune on Tuesday after spending 21 days in jail. His sister Priya Dutt told reporters that she was happy about her brother’s release, and that she had full faith in the judiciary. “ I am relieved and happy and it is only because of the help and support of the people around us. This is my Raksha Bandhan gift,” said Priya.

Speaking from Dubai, director Mahesh Bhatt said, “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. “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.” Another Bollywood trade analyst Komal Nahta said, “If he is out for, say, 60 days and shoots every day then he should be able to finish them,”

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 says. “My family and I are extremely happy that now Sanju can breath.”