MNS breaks the ice with Bachchan

Raj Thackeray-led MNS, which had launched an agitation against Amitabh accusing him of being more loyal to UP than Maharashtra, has now praised the superstar for offering to help a Marathi film in its Oscar bid.

Raj Thackeray-led MNS, which had launched an agitation against actor Amitabh Bachchan accusing him of being more loyal to UP than Maharashtra, has now praised the superstar for offering to help a Marathi film in its Oscar bid.

MNS welcomed a recent announcement by Bachchan to support and promote Marathi movie Harishchandrachi Factory by Paresh Mokashi.

The film, about how Dadasaheb Phalke made the nation's first motion picture Raja Harishchandra, has been selected as India's entry for Oscars.

"It is a good thing that Bachchan is supporting the film for Oscar awards. We welcome his move," MNS general secretary Shirish Parkar told PTI.

Raj Thackeray had launched a tirade against the actor last year.

"Though he has become a star in Mumbai, his interest is in Uttar Pradesh. That is why he was trying to be an ambassador of UP rather than Maharashtra," Raj had said.

MNS called off its campaign against Bachchan in September last year, after the actor apologised at a press conference and on his blog to pacify MNS activists who ripped posters of his movie The Last Lear.

Raj had also been miffed over Jaya Bachchan's remarks at a film's music launch last year that she would speak in Hindi as she was from Uttar Pradesh.

This is not the first time that the Big B has offered help to a Marathi movie.

In November 2004, the Bollywood actor donated Rs one lakh to producers of 'Shwaas', a Marathi film that was selected as India's entry at the Oscars.

The money donated was towards the fund-raising drive organised by the team to ensure widescale publicity and promotion for the film competing in the best foreign language category at the Oscars.

The actor had described the donation as a "small" and "insignificant" contribution.

Bachchan's AB Corporation has produced a Marathi film, 'Vihir' (Well) which is all set for release.