An Orange and a Clock for Sanjay Dutt

“Everyone makes mistakes in life…but the element of criminality in you is incurable”

-Tada Judge Pramod Kode to Sanjay Dutt

That’s what the Red banner on the front page of Hindustan Times, screams. This in effect means that after spending whatever ‘actual period’ of the sentenced six years in prison, he is going to return to society not cured of his criminality. And what is he going to do then. If he takes Judge Kode’s advice, then, he is going to be India’s answer to Gregory Peck.
After sentencing Sanjay Dutt, judge P D Kode summoned him back to his courtroom around 5:30 pm. Among other things, this is what he had to say-

Sanjay Dutt: Yes sir, it’s just that I am tired.
Judge Kode: Yes, I know but don’t lose faith. You are Number 1 in your field. In the 10 years, you have done well even during the trial…You should be like Gregory Peck, who acted in films like McKenna’s Gold.
Sanjay Dutt: (Says nothing, merely nods his head.)

A different account of the meeting as published in Times of India-

Sanjay: Sir, I am just getting very tired now.
Kode: You have to have faith in yourself, Sanjay. There was an actor who acted in Mackenna’s Gold but I don’t remember his name…
Sanjay: Sir, Gregory Peck.
Kode: Yes, Peck! He was acting till the age of 100 and you have to do the same. […]

Choodessny Chepooka.
The conversation can easily find its way into the novella A Clockwork Orange written by Anthony Burgess.

His Pooshka did him in.

Sanju: Yes sir, it’s just that I am fagged now.

Judge Code: Yes, I know but don’t lose faith. Just keep loving the Sinny.