Maharashtra Congress threatens to stall Big B, Akshay Kumar films

MUMBAI: Taking an aggressive stand against actors Amitabh Bachchan and Akshay Kumar for “their failure to protest against the spiralling fuel prices”, newly appointed state Congress president Nana Patole on Thursday threatened to stall the release of their films and even shootings in the state. Condemning their pro-Modi stand, Patole pointed out that the two actors had spoken against the fuel price rise during the previous UPA government, but are now silent on the issue. “Bachchan and other celebrities had tweeted against the hike in petrol price on May 24, 2012, during the tenure of the UPA government led by then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Now, when fuel prices have touched an all-time high, both Bachchan and Akshay Kumar have maintained a discreet silence. We condemn their approach, we will ensure that shooting of their films comes to a grinding halt and their movies will not be released in the state,” he said.Patole said that petrol price has crossed the Rs 100-mark in some cities, while LPG cylinder cost has increased to Rs 800.Reacting sharply to Patole’s threat, leader of opposition Devendra Fadnavis of BJP said: “It is Patole’s publicity stunt, there is no need to take him seriously. Everyone knows, criticism of celebrities draws huge publicity. Patole is following the same path. We are in a democratic set-up, it will not be possible for the Congress leader to stop shooting films involving either Amitabh Bachchan or Akshay Kumar.”Patole further said that even on the 'anti-farmer' laws, Bollywood has openly supported Modi. “We were expecting that in the larger interest of the common man and the farming community, they would raise their voice against the NDA government. Despite the fact that farmers are on strike on the Delhi border for the last three months, celebrities have not spoken in their support.” What is more shocking, he added, is the fact that the NDA government described the agitating farmers as terrorists and naxalites and yet celebrities did not react. “It appears that the celebrities have surrendered to the NDA government,” he alleged.