Narendra Modi is ‘shahenshah’ of all ministers: Big B

The reigning shahenshah of Bollywood, Amitabh Bachchan arrived in Ahmedabad on Thursday morning to invite state chief minister Narendra Modi to watch his latest release Paa.

On reaching the city airport, Big B headed straight for the Gateway Hotel. It was only in the evening that he stepped out to leave for Gandhinagar, where he was to meet Modi.

Amitabh and Modi had a casual, half-an-hour conversation at the CM’s house in Gandhinagar. He also gifted a copy of his father’s famous book Madhushala to the CM. The duo then left for the City Pulse multiplex in the city, where the grand programme, of watching the film, was organised.     

Scores of people waited outside the multiplex to catch a glimpse of Modi and Amitabh, but thanks to the security nobody was allowed near the duo.

“I have two requests. The first is that Modi, in fact, all citizens of Gujarat, watch my film Paa; and secondly, that the Gujarat government exempt my film from all taxes,” Amitabh said. 

Stressing on the importance of the film, Amitabh said, “The movie is vital for the public. It will help them understand how to deal with children with physical disabilities.”  He said that one should not pity such children.

“They should instead be encouraged to perform better. The film also highlights the issue of single mothers who have the courage to take care of their children,” he said. Branding Modi as the Shahenshah of all ministers, Amitabh said, “I do not agree with anyone who calls me shahenshah. This title is more apt for Modi; I am nowhere close.”

Modi, on the other hand, told the media, “I have always had high regards for Mr Bachchan. We have discussed a lot of issues today, and Mr Bachchan has agreed to invest his quality time to promote Gujarat tourism.” 

Asked if Amitabh, who is currently the brand ambassador of UP, would also be the brand ambassador of Gujarat, he said, “Well, I would love to work out something concrete for Gujarat’s promotion.”