Amitabh Bachchan’s ‘Marathi Rangchhata’! by Shekhar Josh

Today is the 80th birthday of Amitabh Bachchan, the ‘Shahenshah’ of Hindi cinema. Although Amitabh Bachchan is known as the unanointed emperor of Bollywood, he has a special relationship with Marathi. About that…Amitabh Bachchan’s ‘Marathi Rangchhata’!Shekhar JoshiThe ‘Big B’ of Bollywood is of course Amitabh Bachchan. Superstar of Hindi film industry. Today even at the age of 80, he is active in social media including films, advertising. Even though the Hindi film industry has awarded him the title of emperor, he has a special relationship with Mumbai, the capital of Maharashtra, and Marathi. Some special things about these relationships.Tweet about the movie ‘Aapli Thapdi’ in MarathiMegastar Amitabh Bachchan is active on social media. Bachchan shared the trailer of the recently released Marathi film ‘Apadi Thapdi’ on Twitter. He also wished the film by tweeting in Marathi. The film stars Shreyas Talpade, Mukta Barve, Sandeep Pathak, Nandu MadhavGuest star in Marathi movie ‘Akka’Amitabh acted as a guest star in the Marathi film Akka. Bachchan’s makeup artist Deepak Sawant has been working with Amitabh for many years. Sawant produced the Marathi film ‘Akka’ in 1994. He wanted Bachchan to act in this film. Amitabh and his wife Jaya Bachchan participated in one of the songs in the film. Amitabh Bachchan spoke in Marathi for the first time in this film. The movie had Ajay Phansekar, Sulabha Deshpande, Prashant Damle in lead roles. The film was directed by Sridhar Joshi.’AB and CD’Amitabh Bachchan acted in the film ‘AB and CD’ which was released two years ago. The film featured Vikram Gokhale, Subodh Bhave, Saili Sanjeev and others. Bachchan played an important role in the film directed by Milind Lele.Amitabh’s speech in MarathiA program was organized at Dinanath Theater in Vileparle in association with V Shantaram Foundation and Weekly Vivek. The list of ‘Shatakmahotsavi Marathi Picture Collection 3 May 1913 to 3 May 2013’ was published in the program. The then Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, V. Shantaram Foundation Chairman Kiran Shantaram and Amitabh Bachchan were present. In this ceremony, Amitabh gave a speech in Marathi for fifteen minutes and won the appreciation of the audience. I am what I am because of MaharashtraThe 83rd Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Sahitya Sammelan held in Pune concluded with Amitabh Bachchan’s poetry recital. On this occasion, Bachchan said, My salutations to the land of Maharashtra. 41 out of 68 years of my life was spent in Mumbai-Maharashtra, I am proud of what I am because of Maharashtra. Poet Suresh Bhat’s poem ‘Labhale Amhas Bhagya Bolto Marathi’ was specially mentioned. He also started the poetry reading by presenting the lines ‘Mangal Desha, Pavitra Desha, Maharashtra Desha…’ by Ram Ganesh Gadkari alias Govindagraj.