It’s Judgement Day for Sanjay Dutt

I’ve never liked Sanjay Dutt as an actor and I’d even go to the extent of saying he often seems repulsive as a “hero” because he looks more like a villain with his droopy eyes and errant jaw, but that’s hardly relevant. Personally I’ve never disliked him primarily because he is Sunil Dutt’s son (Sunil Dutt is dead now) and I’ve always admired Sunil Dutt. So when I heard about Sanjay Dutt’s 6-year jail sentence there was a slight tinge of pain, and there was a bit of happiness.

Happiness because after a long time the country has seen some influential person being punished (although I think he is a soft target). He did commit a wrong after all even if he was not directly involved with the 1993 Mumbia blasts. He obtained deadly firearms — a 9 mm pistol and an AK 56 — from the underworld dons who were directly involved with the Mumbai blasts. Bad company — bad consequences. You are a loved actor; too bad. I must add here I have no problem with him possessing the firearms — the problem was the way he got them.

Pain because life could have been so good for him and he is not solely responsible for his troubles. He had a disturbing childhood with his celebrity mother (Nargis Dutt) having a secret affair with Raj Kapur and his schoolmates incessantly teasing him about it. He took to drugs, got into rehab and somehow built his film career. Then I remember his wife dying of brain cancer (he never took care of her and romanced another glamor dame). So life never really took off for him. And when he got some really good films, he got those weapons that proved to be the mother of all his troubles. I felt bad because he is not as vile as Salman Khan. Unlike so many criminals, terrorists and politicians roaming around free, Sanjay Dutt is not a danger to the society.

If the judiciary really wants to send a strong message, instead of going for softer targets, it should punish the real criminals that can cause some serious damage to the society. I hope Sanjay Dutt’s sentence is reduced.

More links on Sanjay Dutt imprisonment:

• Chronology of events leading to Sanjay Dutt’s conviction
• Munnabhai goes to jail? Sanjay Dutt sentenced to six years
• What Judge Kode Told Sanjay Dutt (About His Bail)
• Sanjay Dutt Convicted Bollywood Shocked

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