Fans fume in Lucknow lane as Sanjay keeps them waiting

Lucknow, Feb 18 (IANS) They had waited since early morning for a glimpse of their favourite 'Munnabhai', but when Bollywood star and Samajwadi Party candidate from Lucknow failed to turn up in their neighbourhood by noon, the residents cried foul.

Sanjay was to visit the congested Ganne Wali lane in the Aminabad locality where his father Sunil Dutt had lived with a family for four years till 1951.

Aslam, a resident, said: 'The actor has just disappointed us a lot. He is just not bothered about meeting his ardent fans who were waiting for him for the last several hours.'

The locals who had started thronging the lanes since 6.30 a.m. Wednesday threw the flowers and garlands that were meant for welcoming the Bollywood actor. They raised slogans against Sanjay and even damaged the 'pagdi' (headgear) meant for welcoming him.

'If Sanju cannot come to meet us, how can we expect he will take care of us after winning the elections,' said a fuming Munna, a resident of the Ganne Wali lane.

The Samajwadi Party did not entirely rule out the actor's visiting the place later in the day.

Party spokesperson Rajendra Chaudhary said: 'Hundreds of people lined up the lane which is merely 2-3 feet wide. Owing to a heavy rush and security reasons, Sanjay is expected to visit the lane sometime later.'

Sanjay's father Sunil Dutt had lived there with one Captain Rizvi's family while working in Lucknow with the All India Radio.

Accompanied by wife Manyata and Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh, Sanjay however did meet the family that now stays in the Jopling Road locality.

Sanjay and Manyata were showered with red rose petals while they met the captain's family at Jopling Road. Calling Manyata its daughter-in-law, the family also gave 'muh dikhayee', a post-marriage ritual in Hindu families where money is gifted to the bride after seeing her face.

'I am quite happy to visit the family with whom my father cherished some memorable moments,' Sanjay told reporters.

'My father always told me that you have another family in Lucknow too. But due to my busy schedule I could not visit. It's now quite emotional as I am meeting my family after such a long time.'

He also went through some black and white photographs of his father with the family members.

Sanjay is popularly called 'Munnabhai' after a character he played in a film. Though convicted for arms possession in the 1993 Mumbai blasts, he has been picked by the Samajwadi Party as its candidate from Lucknow.