MUMBAI: Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi jailed for nearly three months was released on Tuesday on a bail of $200,000, nine days after he went on a hunger strike. Soon after his release, Panahi was taken to a hospital for a checkup.

Though the charges against the 49-year old filmmaker were never made clear, his case was before the Revolutionary Court because the charges said to be security related.
 

At the time of his detention, the authorities had said he had been arrested for "plans" to make a film about the protests that followed the disputed presidential election last summer. In all Panahi spent 86 days in prison.

Panahi‘s name was raised frequently at the recently concluded Cannes Film Festival. Iranian artistes, activists and journalists had also called for his release in recent weeks.