Industry heaves sigh of relief as Dutt declared''no terrorist''

Mumbai, Nov 28 (UNI) As the Specially Designated TADA court today announced the verdict acquitting actor Sanjay Dutt from the consipracy and involvement in the serial blasts, heavyweights in Bollywood heaved a sigh of relief.

Although the actor stands acquitted in the 93' blasts case, the court found him guilty for possessing arms under section 3, 7 and 25 of the Arms act, washing the tag of ''terrorist'' from his name.

At present, about Rs 150 to Rs 200 crores are riding on him and his various film projects such as ''Eklavya'' and ''Nahele Be Dehla'' to name a few.

FilmMaker Tanuja Chandra who has made fims like ''Dushman'' with Dutt told UNI,''If you see the larger picture, he has been freed from the terrorist charges and plotting. Anybody, who mildly knows Sanjay Dutt, knows he is not capable of doing such a thing.

It is a good verdict as he is out on bail till December 19. It can not be a serious imprisonment. This has been going on for many years and I can not even comment because I have no idea of what he has gone through. But we have complete faith in our judiciary. This is a kind of semi- victory.'' In a statement issued to the media, sister Priya Dutt said,'' There is a great sense of relief. It has been proved that he is not a terrorist. We are missing our father. That is what my father fought for, that Sanjay is not a terrorist. we honour the verdict passed by the judge. We will do what has to be done in the course of time. We have been waiting for the end result and this is the end result. All the members of the family are very strong and at this moment we miss dad the most. Dad would have wanted to hear this whole statement.'' Filmmaker Kunal Kohli, maker of blockbuster films like''Hum Tum'' and ''Fanaa'' said,'' The verdict will not affect his career at all.

It is nice that he has been found not guilty of TADA. It is a relief to the film fraternity. It has been found that he was possessing arms only for self protection. It will not affect his career even by .01 per cent.'' Manoj Desai, owner of Maratha Mandir and Gaiety cinema said,''He might be sentenced to three years imprisonment out of which he has served 18 months already. When he was jailed in 1993 he was very young since then he has changed and mended his ways. He has improved his habits. Also the death of Sunil Dutt, forced him to shoulder all the responsibilities, which have been good for him. If he would have been declared a terrorist, the film industry would have hated him.

Above all, his career graph is at the number one position today with hits like ''Munnabhai'' and ''Lage Raho''. In 1993, he was young and today he is about 50 years of age. But I do not think it will affect his career.'' Arshad Warsi alias ''Circuit'' of Munna Bhai said,''The worst is over, I love you, Bhai and the whole country loves you. we are with you.'' UNI LS PM LS BS1749