Bollywood actor Sanjay was released from Pune's Yerwada Jail on Thursday after spending 42 months in prison for possessing arms illegally, reported ANI. Addressing a press conference soon after reaching his home in Mumbai's Bandra suburb, the 56-year-old requested the media to not mention anything related to the 1993 Mumbai blasts in reports related to him. Dutt said he had been convicted under the Arms Act, and cleared of all charges pressed against him under the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act. He also said that being a celebrity did not necessarily work in his favour in prison, and that it would take time for the feeling of freedom to sink in.

After being released from prison, the actor took a chartered flight from Pune to Mumbai, where he first visited the Siddhivinayak Temple to offer prayers with wife Maanyata, reported The Indian Express. From there, he went to the grave of his mother Nargis Dutt, before heading home.

Dutt was released around eight months ahead of time on the grounds of good behaviour. A petition was filed in the Bombay High Court on Wednesday challenging the early release. It claimed the actor was getting preferential treatment from the government. Dutt was sentenced to five years in jail in 2007 after he was found guilty of illegal possession of an AK-56 rifle and a pistol, acquired from those involved in the 1993 serial blasts in Mumbai.