It was Bachchan's decision, not IIFA

20 January 2011 08:33 am - 37 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The brand ambassador of the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Amitabh Bachchan did not want to attend the last year’s IIFA event in Sri Lanka, The Times of India reported quoting a source.

The inside story is that Bachchan was extremely hurt by IIFA's decision to hold the awards last year in Sri Lanka. Says a source, "He did not want to be associated with them anymore."

Explaining what led to Bachchan's fallout with IIFA, our source said, "Without taking Bachchan's opinion, they not only held the event in Sri Lanka but also signed up Salman Khan to host it. These awards were Bachchan's baby, and hence he was terribly hurt."

When Wizcraft declared Sri Lanka as the venue for IIFA 2010, Tamil groups started a protest and asked everyone to either boycott the awards or change the venue. According to them, Sri Lanka needed to be shunned as their military officials had killed Tamils in large numbers last year in the war that led to the decimation of the Tamil Tigers.

The South Indian Film Chamber of Commerce announced a boycott of Colombo by southern actors and filmmakers and said it would shun the Bollywood actors who would choose to go to Sri Lanka. Thereafter, IIFA brand ambassador Amitabh Bachchan, his son Abhishek and daughter-in-law Aishwarya along with Shah Rukh Khan and many others stayed away from the event.

According to our source, there were no financial issues between Bachchan and IIFA. "Bachchan is too classy to crib about financial issues. He is a man of words. Loyalty comes to him ahead of anything else."

Added our source, "How can IIFA say 'No' to Bachchan? His popularity cuts across all generations. In fact, they kept coming back to him. They tried their best to persuade him to continue with them, but Bachchan was adamant. He told them politely but firmly that he was not interested in the association anymore."

Then why did Bachchan claim that IIFA did not need his services anymore? "Arre, that's his style. He has never been a man who has been too vocal about his feelings," said the source.

And why is IIFA saying that they will never replace Bachchan? "That's simply because they are still coaxing him to attend their press conferences and social dos. But here again, Bachchan has decided that he shall stay away."

We got in touch with IIFA director Saba Joseph, who said, "I think Mr. Bachchan's Twitter message and our press note are very clear. Leave it at that. We have no further comments." Bachchan did not respond to our text messages, the Times of India reported.

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Comments - 37

Sammy Thursday, 20 January 2011 05:18 PM

"A man of words & not of deeds, is like a garden full of weeds." Why did he come to Sri Lanka in the first place to promote IIFA, giving a lot of hope and then back-off?

Nadikz Thursday, 20 January 2011 10:07 AM

The biggest irony is 'Raavan' on whose behalf he boycotted Sri Lanka became one of the biggest flops!!!

Don Quixote Thursday, 20 January 2011 10:25 AM

Yes but what to do when madam likes Hindi films?

MLJ Thursday, 20 January 2011 10:43 AM

You dont expect such pettiness from the 'big' man! Greatness in a person is exemplified by humility and lack of pride.

Dev Thursday, 20 January 2011 10:45 AM

Again.... Who cares..!!

s jayawardene Thursday, 20 January 2011 10:49 AM

Time to retire and have a respectable rest.

TMA Thursday, 20 January 2011 11:02 AM

Yes Ceylon, in the end this victory gave us nothing

Jason Thursday, 20 January 2011 02:08 PM

Typical Indians

Manuel Thursday, 20 January 2011 02:20 PM

I wonder what one gains by these comments. Bachan may not be even aware that these comments made about him. Is it to appease our selves?

cc Thursday, 20 January 2011 02:27 PM

Exactly. Otherwise will end up like our Sana boy.

malkanthi Thursday, 20 January 2011 10:06 AM

You are right, people are led by emotions and defile themselves!

Chathura Marasinghe Thursday, 20 January 2011 09:15 PM

Well Said !

Kalani Raja Thursday, 20 January 2011 09:23 PM

Good lesson for those who worship Hindi cinema. We should have spent those millions for our own stars.

Antonan Friday, 21 January 2011 03:41 AM

Well to begin with Lankans attitude towards Indian film stars and cricketers is downright humiliating. We Lankans suffer from bollywood mania. Why should we import only third grade Hindi movies when there are good European, Japanese and other films available. Of course there are good Indian movies. Import these. Every Bachchan or SRK movie is not of good quality. There are some very good cricketrs in India like Tendulkar or Ghambhi. Our cricketrs are as good if not better. Once Mahinda Rajpaksa went to India and met SRK. Will Manmohan Sing or Sonia ever meet our great actors like Gamini, Vijaya, Malini or Sanath Gunathilaka?

lamaya Friday, 21 January 2011 04:03 AM

Then why did he come for the press conference? Bachchan make up your mind without being such a drama queen!

nadira Friday, 21 January 2011 04:11 AM

very sensible say

Subha Friday, 21 January 2011 06:46 AM

WE HATE INDIA. WE HATE INDIANS.
THATS FINAL. END OF STORY.

kabir Friday, 21 January 2011 01:23 PM

but we luv their cash and weopons

SL fan in Aussie Friday, 21 January 2011 10:34 PM

Celebrities are made by popularity. But, it doesn't mean all are in the world like each and every celebrity. That's why some comments are full of negativities. So what?

udesh Thursday, 20 January 2011 09:25 AM

I remember this big dada mentioned in his Twitter page that he was not going to Sri Lanka.Why he made such a comment if IIFA asked not to go??

He did not come as his family and him were greedy to promote Raavan in Tamil Nadu.

Now,He is talking non sense as he is not invited to IIFA in Canada..

mohi Thursday, 20 January 2011 08:44 AM

mandaley Katchal.

hemantha Thursday, 20 January 2011 08:49 AM

LETS APPRICIATE OUR OWN sARASAVIYA fILM FESTIVAL OR sUMATHI AWARDS !! yes Bachchan is a big star..who cares !!!!

Ossan Salam - Doha Thursday, 20 January 2011 08:58 AM

Not me, they ! no not we, he !! no no not me ....they!!! finally if not he and they then hooooooooooooooooooo.....care!!!!

AF Thursday, 20 January 2011 08:57 AM

YES. IF he has any shame he will not come.

Kasunsiri Gunartnae Thursday, 20 January 2011 08:59 AM

Bacchan is feeling left out !!

DHA Thursday, 20 January 2011 09:00 AM

Mr. Bachan we don't care what u think cos we have started hating you ever since you supported the Terrorist cause....!!!

Konde bendapu china Thursday, 20 January 2011 09:02 AM

Mr.B You were afraid off Chennai people and now talking nonsense

Jix Thursday, 20 January 2011 09:24 AM

Hate is a very strong word and must be used very carefully if at all.. surely we may not agree with his utterly misinformed decision to boycott Sri Lanka, but that shouldn't be reason to hate noh?

MEP Thursday, 20 January 2011 08:40 AM

Next time please don't come to the country at all. No point of hearing this nonsense talk almost a year later.
As a Sri Lankan I would appreciate if IIFA can make up their mind before they jump the gun.

Humty-Dumpty Thursday, 20 January 2011 09:34 AM

Principles were sold because of fear of losing MARKET VALUE in Tamil Nadu. "Mega star" dosen't mean "Great Man".

Ceylon Thursday, 20 January 2011 09:42 AM

Learn to accept the feelings , guys how many of our tamil frieds lost their brothers sisters and parents, How many lost thier life and just at home,How man orphans,.We talk about Elephants but when it comes to our people we dont care,
The war is over , what is happening, dld you get the freedom or all the polticans who wants to earn money are joined hands with government, Look at who are around government, Karuna, kp, Douglas etc, Poor people STILL STRGULING FOR A FULL TIME MEAL.Displaced Tamils and Displaced Singalse are well off. i some time wonder what is VASUDEVA Nak doing ,

Karuna Amman Thursday, 20 January 2011 09:40 AM

India is our nearest country... But to say the truth the Shittest one.. Never helped honestly in our war. Only worsened it...
They are conspirators..

malkanthi Thursday, 20 January 2011 09:44 AM

Bachchans are too self centered, high time to realise and accept their season is over. The humbleness matters a lot.

koplar Thursday, 20 January 2011 09:42 AM

batchaaaan we really do not care weather u come to our country or not
even though you come or not we don't care at all

robinson Thursday, 20 January 2011 09:53 AM

Ha ha...they are very good in playing football as well....

shiyaz - Dubai Thursday, 20 January 2011 09:58 AM

Well said bro...

Mahmood Ashraf Thursday, 20 January 2011 10:04 AM

he may be a big star but he is against iifa in sri lanka so we dont need him. our country comes first before mr.bachan

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It was Bachchan's decision, not IIFA

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