Sanjay Dutt: How Twitter reacted to Bollywood star's release from prison

Sanjay Dutt and his family — Indian Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt poses with his family during a press conference in Mumbai on February 25, 2016, after his release from Pune's Yerwada Jail. STRDEL/AFP/Getty Images

Bollywood star Sanjay Dutt was released from prison on 25 February, where he was sent after being convicted of firearm offences linked to the 1993 Mumbai blasts. He was released after serving three years of his five-year jail term on grounds of "good behaviour".

The actor was sentenced for buying firearms from the bombers, however, he has said that he only bought the weapons to defend his family during Hindu-Muslim riots. The Mumbai blasts in 1993 killed 257 people and injured 713, one of the worst terrorist attacks to hit the country.

Dutt touched the ground with his hand and saluted the prison as he walked out. The 56-year-old addressed a huge media gathering outside his home in Mumbai, saying that it "still it not sinking in" that he was a free man but that "to be fully free is the most amazing feeling".

After 18 months in prison he was released on bail in 2007, pending an appeal. In 2013 the Supreme Court cut his prison term from six years to five years and sent the actor back to jail to serve the rest of his three-and-a-half years. Dutt was allowed several months off at different points of his jail sentence, including time to work on Bollywood movies. A number of people have strongly condemned his eight-month-early release from prison, believing that he has been given special treatment as he is a celebrity.

According the BBC, Dutt told the media upon his release: "I am out of here because of their [the fans'] support. There is no easy walk to freedom, my friends."

IBTimes UK has rounded up how some of his fans – and others – reacted to the actor's prison release on social media.

With the ongoing JNU row still not resolved, many linked back to the debate...

Strange day. Celebrations for the release of a man linked to a real terror attack, while kids who shouted slogans sit in jail. #SanjayDutt
— Nicholas Dawes (@NicDawes) February 25, 2016

U can't sympathise poor Kanhaiya Kumar who stood beside who chanted anti India slogans bt cn celebrate release of terrorist aide #SanjayDutt
— Sandeep Singh (@sandeepsingh844) February 25, 2016

Some questioned the excessive media coverage surrounding his release....

Freedom fighter Sanjay Dutt released from jail. Media celebrates. R.I.P Journalism.
— Allwyn Mendonca (@allwyn_mendonca) February 25, 2016

Can we stop hounding Sanjay Dutt? He has served sentence for his mistake which was a serious crime. Now let him live peacefully.
— nikhil wagle (@waglenikhil) February 25, 2016

Others strongly disapproved of his release and the fanfare welcome that awaited Dutt....

Stop welcoming Sanjay Dutt like he's some martyr, please.
— Shreemi Verma (@shreemiverma) February 25, 2016

Sanjay Dutt released early for his 'good behavior' and if he continues this for next 2 month, the families of blast victims could be jailed.
— Rofl Gandhi (@RoflGandhi_) February 25, 2016

@coolfunnytshirt His fans and the media are making it look as though God has descended on earth! Good lord!
— Sanghamitra Malik (@Ilovehyderabad) February 25, 2016

Aliens might think #SanjayDutt was jailed for taking law into his hands for greater good of society, so getting hero's welcome upon release.
— ಯಮಲೋಕ vinayaka (@yamaloka) February 25, 2016

Enough with Sanjay Dutt apologists. He did the time for his crime. He's no hero. No victim. He ws a guilty man punishd for his acts. Move on
— Vande Mataram (@UnSubtleDesi) February 25, 2016

The biggest idiots in India are people who spend their money and patronize Sanjay Dutt's "entertaining" films when he shld be behind bars.
— Rupa Subramanya (@rupasubramanya) April 17, 2013

But his fans stayed true to their hero and celebrated the release...

RT Congratulations to Sanjay Dutt. He's a brave man. And earnest to go through whatever the Judiciary decided. Azaadi Mubaarak.
— Sonu Nigam Forum (@SonuNigamForum) February 25, 2016

Congratulations @duttsanjay Great to see you saluting the Tricolour after release from the Jail. Wish you new heights in your career sir.
— Anupam KS (@anupamnawada) February 25, 2016

Good to see @duttsanjay sir back home....bollywood fans are excited for ur action back again #SanjayDutt
— Sukhi Jatt (@Sukhi8652323878) February 25, 2016

YAY. Sanjay Dutt has been released!
— :(: (@IamJiv) February 25, 2016

Grand welcome awaits #SanjayDutt. Fans, media and well wishers throng at his residence to catch a glimpse. pic.twitter.com/RTbBBrvUZW
— Shårėėf (@ShareefLaiq) February 25, 2016

We Bobbians are Happy that Sanjay dutt is Released now from Jail.. Wish him Happiest Life ahead ?
— Bobbian's Captain (@Loyal_Bicchuan) February 25, 2016