It was an anti-climax from a fan's perspective. That is the mood that sums up actor Sanjay Dutt's release from Yerawada jail after three days of wait and watch.
The actor arrived much earlier, taking fans, media and even the police by surprise.When the 45-year-old actor arrived at his Bandra residence at 8:30 am, the usual horde of fans was missing, as most of them had expected his arrival only by noon.
Even the police were caught unawares.
"We had called 25 extra police personnel from the Bandra police station, anticipating trouble from the crowd when he arrive. But there was no need because he arrived well before they did," a policeman deployed outside Dutt's residence said.
Fans missed the emotional welcome that the actor got from his family. As soon as he got out of the car, Sanjay kissed nephew Siddharth (Priya Dutt's son), and hugged both his sisters, Priya and Namrata. Brothers-in-law, Owen Roncon and Kumar Gaurav, were also there at the emotional homecoming.
Dutt's residence in the Imperial Heights building in Bandra has been jammed with supporters from the film fraternity ever since he got bail on Monday.
Outside, fans, too, kept a constant vigil, hoping to catch a glimpse of their favourite 'Munnabhai', but when the final moment did arrive, there were hardly any fans to witness it.
Only one person, Azam Shaikh, who came all the way from Ujjain, was present when the actor arrived.
"I am from Ujjain and I have been camping here for the last three days. I am from the Sankatmochan temple there. Dutt had come there to pray in the past. I want to meet him," Shaikh said.
Many Dutt's friends from the film industry, including director Vidhu Vinod Chopra, were spotted at his residence. Yusuf Nulwala, who accompanied the star from Pune to his residence, however left soon.
A steady stream of visitors is expected at the actor's residence throughout the day.
For sisters Priya and Namrata, the fact that their brother will be with them for the festival of Rakhsha Bandhan will surely be a delight.