Big B supports Marathi film at Oscars, MNS exalted

Mumbai, Oct 30: Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) has a change of stance on the Bollywood icon, Amitabh Bachchan after he offered to promote Marathi movie 'Harishchandrachi Factory" which has been selected as India"s entry for Oscars.

The Raj Thackeray-led party has been glorifying Big B ever since he made an announcement on his support for Marathi movie by Paresh Mokashi. The movie is about how Dadasaheb Phalke made the nation"s first motion picture 'Raja Harishchandra".

“It is a good thing that Mr Bachchan is supporting the film for Oscar awards. We welcome his move," MNS general secretary Shirish Parkar has been quoted as saying in a news agency report.

This comes in contrast to the party's earlier allegation against Bachchan that he was 'being more loyal to Uttar Pradesh than Maharashtra'.

However, this is not the first time Big B has helped the Marathi movie industry. In 2004, he donated Rs 1 lakh to producers of 'Shwaas", the Marathi film which was also selected as India"s entry at the Oscars. Mr Bachchan"s AB Corporation has produced a Marathi film "Vihir" which is set to be released.

In Sep 2008, Raj Thackeray had launched a scathing campaign against the Bollywood star accusing him of ignoring Maharashtra which gave him success and fame. MNS activists had gone around tearing the posters of his film, 'The Last Lear.'

Bachchan was forced to apologise at a press conference and on his blog to douse the fire.

OneIndia News