Covering Bollywood and the Hindi Cinema

Sanjay Dutt's sentencing has shaken the Film Industry and the nation. Many feel that he has become a victim of his stardom and has already suffered a lot.  Here are some reactions from the film fraternity.

I think whatever punishment has been meted out to him, it far exceeds the error committed by him...People have forgotten the circumstances under which the error was committed. People seemed to have forgotten the good work done by the actor, especially in the aftermath of the 1993 blasts when he picked up the wounded from the streets and took them to hospital. You know when there is some kind of catastrophe, sometimes in such a situation, someone does wrong. But my god, what a punishment. -- Yesteryears actress Saira Banu.

I feel Sanjay became a victim of a conspiracy of circumstances. -- Actor and BJP MP Shatrughan Sinha

It's an ongoing nightmare. There seems to be no relief. -- Filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt

Dutt had already spent 16 months in prison following his arrest in 1993. -- Director Madhur Bhandarkar

My full sympathy is with him and his family. I can't even imagine what his family is going through. It is a very sad day and I think he has already suffered a lot...He has already paid for whatever has happened. I admire the way he is dealing with it (the crisis). -- Director Kunal Kohli

It is certainly a dark day for people who know Sanju. It is like a replay of events. -- Filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt

I think he has already suffered. He must have known that he will have to suffer a little more and he has decided to accept it with grace. -- Actress Kiron Kher

He has the prayers of the entire film fraternity with him. We believe him completely. -- Actor Suniel Shetty

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