My 3 children,wife and family will undergo the punishment with me: Sanjay Dutt

The actor,who has to spend another three-and-a-half-years in jail,added that he is “heart broken”.

“I have already suffered for 20 years and been in jail for 18 months. If they want me to suffer more I have to be strong. I am heart broken because today along with me,my three children and my wife and my family will undergo the punishment. I have always respected the judicial system and will continue to do so,even with tears in my eyes,” he said in an emotional statement to the media.

With an estimated Rs 250 crore locked up in films involving the Bollywood star,he said he would complete all his films and not let anyone down.

“I am overwhelmed by the support of my fans,the industry people,the media and all the well wishers. They have always stood by me and supported me. I know in my heart that I have always been a good human being,respected the system and always been loyal to my country,” he said.

Sanjay Dutt,who confined himself in his 10th floor flat at ‘Imperial Heights’ in suburban Bandra with his family as Bollywood celebrities paid him visit to express solidarity,said he has to be strong for his family.

“My family is very emotional right now and I have to be strong for them. I am shattered and in emotional distress. I am sorry I can’t come down and meet you all. God is great and he will guide me through this,” he said in the statement.

Sanjay Dutt was the most high-profile of 100 people involved in the Mumbai blasts trial which ended with 12 people receiving the death penalty and 20 others given life sentences.

The entertainment industry reacted with shock to news of Sanjay Dutt’s sentencing with the actor seen by some fans as a victim of his star lineage and own fame.

“It is a big blow. He was a prominent actor and a father figure to many in the industry,” said Bollywood trade analyst Amod Mehra. “There are 250 crore riding on him,” he added.

Sanjay Dutt,the son of actor and former Congress MP Sunil Dutt and actress Nargis,also has political ambitions.

But in 2009,the Supreme Court refused to suspend his conviction so that he could contest the elections on a ticket for the Samajwadi Party.

sanjay Dutt said in his statement that he was going to complete all his films and not let anyone down.

The actor is currently shooting for Policegiri and was due to reprise his role in a third Munnabhai film later this year. (With Reuters inputs)