In a fresh salvo against Amitabh Bachchan's family, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) vowed to block release of all films featuring any of its members in Maharashtra till Jaya Bachchan tenders an unconditional apology over her alleged anti-Marathi remarks. Listen to what she said right here!
MNS chief Raj Thackeray also asked Maharashtrians to boycott all products endorsed by the Bachchans accusing them of having 'poison in their minds' for Marathi people.
An apparent off-the-cuff remark by her at the music launch of her film with son Abhishek, Drona, on September 6 has evoked the strong reaction from the MNS chief.
"Hum UP [Uttar Pradesh] ke log hai, isliye Hindi mein baat karenge. Maharashtra ke log maaf kariye," the actress had said.
"She has said that she doesn't know who Raj Thackeray is... now, she will know," the MNS chief said.
There was speculation that the barb was aimed at Raj Thackeray, who had launched a tirade against her husband in the past, over his alleged bias for native Uttar Pradesh while ignoring Maharashtra, the Bachchans' karmabhoomi.
Thackeray's threat is bad news for Rituparno Ghosh's English film The Last Lear, starring Amitabh Bachchan, which releases this week, and Drona, starring Abhishek and Jaya, releasing next month.
The MNS chief sounded a warning to theatre owners, who dared to exhibit the Bachchans' films. "Let us see who shows these films," the MNS chief said, speaking at a press conference at Rajgad, his party's headquarters in Shivaji Park, central Mumbai.
"Jaya Bachchan hails from West Bengal. Let her utter these remarks there," Raj said, adding, "Whatever films and advertisements this family wants to do, they should go to UP and do it there."
Justifying his 'ban' on the Bachchans, Raj said, "When Aamir Khan supported Narmada activist Medha Patkar, his films were banned in Gujarat."
The MNS chief lauded filmmaker Amol Palekar for 'insisting on replying to a question asked in Marathi in the same language, despite others wanting him to speak in Hindi."
Raj also made light of the police gag orders against him. "It seems that the government has extra stationary -- they keep on issuing me notices. Let them issue notices, I will keep on expressing my views whenever I feel like," he said.