Indian fashion guru Prasad Bidappa, who was set free last week after a 33-day detention in Dubai for carrying marijuana, says his Pakistani cellmates made him comfortable during his ordeal far away from home.

"I did not expect to get such friendly vibes from people who you do not generally consider close. But while there were inmates from Sri Lanka, Iran, Bangladesh and other countries, it was the Pakistanis who made my stay comfortable with their hospitality and warmth," told Bidappa told.

Of some 50 inmates at the Al Rashidiya detention centre, most were from South Asia and the Gulf. And Bidappa, on his first experience behind bars, was touched by the way Pakistani inmates bonded with him so warmly.

Perhaps that is one of the reasons why the detention centre, run by the Dubai Central Intelligence Department, reminded him of his hostel days.

"It is centrally air-conditioned and spacious with a host of amenities; the inmates are taken care of well. They are not made to feel either ignored or neglected though their activities are monitored," recalled Bidappa.

The man behind the launch of many a fashion model, including former Miss Universe Lara Datta and the late Nafisa Joseph, Bidappa was detained at the Dubai airport on June 11 for carrying the banned drug in his hand baggage.

When the prisoners learnt Bidappa was a fashion designer, they even made him do the catwalk!

"They made me walk across the long corridor at the centre and demonstrate a few things about fashion shows and models," he grins.

As revenge, he got them to join him in doing exercises and other activities to keep fit.

"We also managed to get a colour TV with satellite channels. Many of the inmates, especially Pakistanis and Bangladeshis, love to see our Hindi movies and hear Hindi songs, which are a hit over there."

His friendship with the inmates grew so much that prison almost felt like home.

It took some time to adapt to the regimentation, though.

Breakfast at 5 a.m., lunch at 1 p.m. and dinner at 5 p.m. Those still hungry after that, an Indian-run canteen takes orders between 5 to 7 p.m. Contact relatives and friends between 5 to 7 p.m. Conversation for only five minutes each and everyone waits their turn. Furnish phone numbers and contact's name in advance.

Bidappa called his wife (Judith) and children almost every evening, and a few friends.

Describing an experience that was both humbling and enriching, the fashion designer says he learnt a lot about the Muslim faith since many of the inmates were Muslims from different countries.

He began reading the Quran which, he learnt to his surprise, was similar to the teachings of the Bible and Gita in many ways.

Since he could speak and write English, many prisoners came to him to draft their mercy petitions. "Many of them are genuinely innocent. Many Indians are also still holed up there waiting to return home."

Interestingly, the night before he was let off by the judge, he was blessed by an elderly Turkish inmate.

"In a way, I attribute my freedom to this Turkish gentleman. He called me to his room and put his hand on my head to say - 'I am really blessing you. I want good things to happen to you.' I became emotional and thanked him by bowing."

A frequent visitor to Dubai, Bidappa returns there in August to sign a contract for a musical production. Then he hopes to visit the Al Rashidiya and catch up with his fellow prisoners.