Mumbai: Maharahstra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray today praised Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan saying Big B belonged to the whole of India, and one should now forget the past.
Raj Thackeray was addressing the cine workers wing of his party at an event launching medical insurance for cine workers.
The MNS chief said, "I had met Bachchanji at Balasaheb's funeral and at actor Sachin's party. I had said this earlier and am saying it again that there was never a bigger actor ever, nor will there be one again.
"And I stand by my earlier words that Amitabhji cannot be the brand ambassador of one state, He belongs to the whole of India.
"The people of Maharashtra love him like the people of other states. Today, I want to say this much only that let's immerse whatever happened in the past, in the Ganga, which also flows through UP."
Amitabh Bachchan began his speech in Marathi and said, he was grateful for being invited. "I am still studying Marathi", he said.
MNS leader Shalini Thackeray described both Raj and Amitabh as "angry young men", as film actor Sachin said, he was proud to be Raj Thackeray's friend and Amitji was adored by millions.
Hindi film songs dominated the MNS event, with Suresh Wadkar, Swanand Kirkire and Shankar Mahadevan giving live performances in Hindi.
This was a clear departure from the time when MNS leaders including Raj Thackeray used to avoid speaking in Hindi.
