Jail Diary 20
28.10.2013, Mumbai
Sanjay embraces and bids good bye to inmates and the guards.
He is excited and unable to disguise his emotions. His colleagues understand. These
are moments when words are not necessary, the expressions tell all. Huge crowds
of electronic and print media wait outside the Yerwada Jail gates but Dutt is
in no mood to avoid or fight them. He requests them with folded hands to
respect his privacy and not make a drama of his parole as it can go against
him. Strangely, they listen to him. Sanjay walks to his car and after a tight
hug to his chauffer who is visibly emotional settles inside. The vehicle moves
and as a collage of buildings, parks, trees, streets and an infinite skyline pass
by Sanjay’s eyes fill with tears.
They drive to Mumbai without a break and in between Manyata
is on the phone checking where they have reached. Sanjay looks out of the
window and wonders what is going on at home. What is Manyata doing? Would his
children have woken up so early? He wonders what time they wake up every
day…what is their routine?
Four hours later as the car drives into the compound of
Imperial Heights, Pali Hill Sanjay can sense the familiar crowd from a
distance. He feels a lump inside his throat and fears facing the familiar
arguments with the media. Inside the security of the building Sanjay alights
from the car and again with folded hands requests them to not invade his
privacy for the next few days. “I want to spend time with my family and don’t
want the authorities to feel that they made a mistake in granting me this
leave, so please let us respect the situation.” His sincerity is moving and
wonders of wonders; the media in a rare and united display of wisdom, packup
their paraphernalia and leave the premise.
Bhawana Somaaya / @bhawanasomaaya
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