France is honouring Amitabh Bachchan by showcasing four of his best known films, but his magnum opus Sholay will not be on display because its print is not available.
The films will be screened at the prestigious Deauville Film Festival, to be held from March 12 to 16 on the outskirts of Paris.
Amitabh, who has just emerged from a 13-day mourning period after the death of his father Harivanshrai Bachchan, confirmed the news to IANS.
"It's a retrospective of my films. They've asked for Sholay, Deewaar, Kabhi Kabhie and Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham".
"However, the prints for Sholay and Deewaar are not available. So I'm probably going to send Agneepath and Aks instead.
"I've asked the directorate of our film festival for Sholay and Deewaar. They don't have it. The producers don't have it. At the Sippys, Sholay has become a casualty of a family feud. Only one faction says I can have it."
Amitabh regrets the fact that at least one film each of two of his other favourite directors, Hrishikesh Mukherjee and Manmohan Desai, haven't found a place in the festival. "But it's their choice," he said.
Amitabh will be attending the festival personally on his way back from New York and San Francisco.
{{/usCountry}}Amitabh will be attending the festival personally on his way back from New York and San Francisco.
{{/usCountry}}At San Francisco, the book To Be Or Not To Be — on his life and career by Khalid Mohamed, published on Amitabh's 60th birthday in India — will be released.