Big B defends promotional films ahead of UP elections

New Delhi, Mar 16 (UNI) Claiming to be a ''true son of Uttar Pradesh'', Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan says he would be the state's ''Brand Ambassador'' even if another party comes to power.

''I maintain that I am not in politics. As brand ambassador for UP, appointed by the UP Development Council, I am promoting the state. The SP (Samajwadi Party) reference comes in because as the party in power it wishes to make a statement about the state. They fund the ad,'' Mr Bachchan told 'Outlook' in an interview.

The Bolywood legend was categoric that there was nothing objectionable in the promotional films for the SP he was featured in. He also pointed out that the Election Commission had cleared it.

''Nowhere is there any reference or request to the viewer to vote for the SP. The EC had not found the ads infringing any code of conduct,'' he said.

Interestingly, Shoojit Sircar, the filmmaker who directed Mr Bachchan's promos for the Samajwadi Party, told the magazine that the idea was conceived personally by Big B. ''It was Amitabh all the way,'' he said.

The promotional films have kicked up a controversy because these came ahead of the assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh.

UNI