'Big B hurt over Thackeray's charge'

NEW DELHI: Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan is 'very hurt' over the attacks on him by MNS chief Raj Thackeray, the actor's close friend and Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh said on Wednesday.

Singh said that he could, on behalf of Bachchan, state that the actor would leave Mumbai if it was proved that he has not done more for Maharashtra than for UP.

"He is sentimentally very hurt. He is a very matured and dignified person and he is very hurt, particularly on these charges," Singh told.

"Let Mr Thackeray come out with a list, what all he (Bachchan) has done for UP and what all he has done for Maharashtra. If he has not done much more for Maharashtra, where he is residing, then on his behalf I am saying, he will leave Mumbai," he said.

He was responding to a query on the criticism of Bachchan by Thackeray that while living in Mumbai he is championing the cause of UP.

"You see this point is absolutely, absolutely wrong. He picks up this line `Chora Ganga Kinare Wala' (from the film `Don')", he said adding that if he picks up this line he could also pick up Anthony from Bandra (`Amar, Akbar, Anthony').

Listing Bachchan's contributions to Maharashtra, Singh said the actor has done so much for Breach Candy Hospital, for Hinduja Hospital and for the victims of Latur earthquake.

Singh said around 2,000-3,000 Maharashtrians are employed in Bachchan's business enterprises and "this is something no one can dispute".