Amitabh, Raj Thackeray share dais

 Hindi film star Amitabh Bachchan and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) leader Raj Thackeray, who had been sparring with each other in a verbal battle for nearly five years, on Monday came together on a dais at a function organised to distribute insurance policies to junior artistes and stunt persons.

Speaking on the occasion at the famed Shanmukhananda Hall, the actor said: “ Not many masses know that those behind the making of a movie need to be recognised...and in a celluloid world it is very important that these invisible artistes financial future is ensured.”
The actor rounded up his address by reciting his poet-father Harivanshrai Bachchan's farmouse poem written during the freedom struggle, titled, “ Agneepath.”

MNS leader Raj Thackeray referring to their earlier tiff when 'Big B' became a brand ambassador for Uttar Pradesh five years ago, said: “ I have always personally felt that in the last 100 years there has been no actor as big as Amitabh Bachchan and he is the ambassador of the entire nation not any particular region.”

However, the film actor and political leader seem to have decided to dissolve the bitterness which had enveloped their relationship. But political observers feel that  the actor who was once extremely close to Shiv Sena leader late Bal Thackeray shifting his alliance to MNS indicates the gradual alienation of the Sena in the Maharashtra polity.

Earlier talking to media, MNS vice-president Viageesh Saraswat had said: “ We may have differences of opinion on various political issues, but there is no personal animosity with any individual.”

Bachchan accompanied by filmmaker and actor Sachin Pilgaonkar, distributed insurance policies to junior artistes and stunt person who do dangerous acts on-screen as part of the centenary of Indian film industry.

Barring the occasional fracas, the Bachchans have always enjoyed a close relationship with all members of the Thackeray clan from the days of the late Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray.