More security for Bachchans after Jaya's Parliament speech

Mumbai Police on Wednesday stepped up the security around actor couple Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bachchan's Mumbai residence 'Jalsa'.

Mumbai Police said the security has been enhanced as a precautionary measure after actor-turned-politician Jaya Bachchan in a fiery speech slammed those who are tarnishing the film industry's image in the Upper House of the Parliament.

Her remarks came a day after Bharatiya Janata Party's Lok Sabha MP and Bhojpuri actor Ravi Kishan said there was a problem of drug addiction in the film industry.

The lawmaker also said the government should stand by the entertainment industry when some people are trying to tarnish its image.

She also added people working in the entertainment industry are being "flogged" by social media.

Meanwhile, the Shiv Sena came out in support of Jaya Bachchan for slamming those who claimed there was a problem of drug addiction in the film industry.

"Those who make such claims are hypocrites and their statements smack of double standards," the Shiv Sena said in an editorial in party mouthpiece 'Saamana'.

Supporting Bachchan's stand, the Marathi daily said, "A doping test should be conducted on those who claim that all artists and technicians in the film industry are under the influence of drugs."

The Shiv Sena said the foundation of the Indian film industry was laid by Dadasaheb Phalke, a Maharashtrian. The industry made a start withsilent movies like 'Raja Harishchandra' and reached the present pinnacle of successdue to the hard work of lakhs of people.

It also said actors like Sunil Dutt and his colleagues would tour the borders to entertain soldiers, Manoj Kumar always produced patriotic films while Raj Kapoor's films catered to social issues.

"Several artistes raised their voice against the Emergency for which they had to pay a heavy price," it said.