Bollywood Reacts to Sarabjit's Death: Salman Khan Says 'Freedom at Last' for Indian Prisoner

In the wake of Sarabjit Singh's death on Thursday, Bollywood celebrities lashed out at the Central government and neighbouring Pakistan for failing to save the dying Indian prisoner following a brutal attack by inmates in a high-security Lahore jail last month.

The 49-year-old lost his battle for life on Thursday after repeated requests to Pakistan to shift him to India for better treatement evoked no response. His body was finally handed over to his family and the last rites were performed on Friday.

Condoling the death of the convicted Indian spy, an emotional Salman Khan tweeted, "Freedom at last (for Sarabjit). Hope they give him to his family. We all tried, guess not hard enough. May God give his family strength and his soul rests in peace."

Salman was a keen supporter of Sarabjit's cause and demanded his release last year in an online petition.

"Request the awam (people) of Pakistan, members of the press, Govt of Pakistan, President (Asif Ali Zardari) Zardari, a humble request. It would be the most amazing gesture to send Sarabjit back to his family after 30 years. Hope you support me like it's your own cause," he had said in June 2012.

Other celebrities also took to Twitter and have expressed sadness over his death and anger against government inaction in the issue.

Here are some of the celebrity tweets:

Farhan Akhtar wrote, "With Sarabjit's death, Pakistan has painted itself a heartless villain, even in the most forgiving Indian's eye. Unforgettable insensitivity. RIP."

Javed Akhtar tweeted, "Some day I may forget Kargil, but will never forget Sarabjit's murder. It is an act of extreme meanness by a very petty minded establishment."

Mahesh Bhatt tweeted, "Sarabjit Singh's death has pushed the Indo-Pak relationship to the brink. The Pakistan civil society needs to push their government to act humanly."

Madhur Bhandarkar said, "Pakistan should have sent his body earlier to India. Feel sad for Sarabjit Singh's family. For them, the long hopeful wait has come to a sad end. His death will always be a reminder of petty minded politics."

Sonam Kapoor said, "I feel betrayed as an Indian."

Kunal Kohli said, "Dear Sarabjit's family. Like the families of Nirbhaya, the beheaded solider, the 5-year-old old raped girl. Your son too will not get justice."