Raj Thackeray on Sunday targeted Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan for allegedly favouring a man from Uttar Pradesh and asked film industry to desist calling the city 'Bombay'.
MUMBAI: MNS chief Raj Thackeray on Sunday targeted Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan for allegedly favouring a man from Uttar Pradesh and asked film industry to desist calling the city 'Bombay' and 'Bambai' warning that his party would ensure that only 'Mumbai' was used in films.
"We will censor all films from now on to check that only the name Mumbai is used," Raj said while launching the MNS Cine Workers Association in central Mumbai this evening.
The launch coincided with the birthday of his estranged cousin and Shiv Sena executive president Uddhav Thackeray.
Stepping up the tirade against migrants, Raj said "those who come here must learn Marathi language and respect Maharashtrian culture.
Alleging that music director Uttam Singh withdrew from a film after actor Amitabh Bachchan insisted that compositions be given to Bachchan's favourite Aadesh Srivastav, Raj said Bachchan did that because Srivastav belonged to his region.
The MNS chief defended his earlier attack on the Big B only loved Uttar Pradesh.
Taking a dig at the `hypocrisy in Bollywood, the MNS chief, whose filmi friends have included a Marathi actress, said he has left going to film parties six to seven years ago. "There is a lot of hypocrisy going on at these events", he said.
The MNS Cine Workers Association has been set up not to blackmail anyone but to work for cine workers interests, he said.
Referring to reports in a section of the media about film industry planning to shift base from Mumbai, Raj said" let them dare do that".
"Our people have created the atmosphere that has helped nurture this industry and the testament to our role is that the country's highest film award, the Dadasaheb Phalke award, is named after a Marathi person", he said.
Raj brandished the license plate, driving license and an identity card of a taxi driver, adding "the I-card says it is a Bihar state identity card. Look at the kind of people we are allowing to come and work here".
Raj also warned comedian Raju Srivastava, who was present on the occasion, not to spoof Marathi and Maharashtrians.
"Look at Johny Lever. When he spoofed Arabs, he could not perform in Dubai for several years," Raj said.
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