Amithabh Bachchan strives for compromise on Tamil protests against hosting IIFA award ceremony in Sri Lanka
Hindi film mega star and icon Amithabh Bachchan has initiated steps to bring about a discussion between organizers of the IIFA award ceremony in Sri Lanka and leaders of the Tamil group that picketed outside his house in Mumbai protesting against the function being held in Sri Lanka.
(L-R) Bollywood actors Amitabh Bachchan, his wife Jaya Bachchan, daughter-in-law Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and son Abhishek Bachchan pose for a picture during the premiere of movie "Paa" in Mumbai December 3, 2009.-Reuters pic
Bachchan’s intention is to get both parties to arrive at an amicable compromise over the issue while respecting the sentiments of all concerned
After protests by a Tamil group outside his house against hosting this year's IIFA awards in Sri Lanka, megastar Amitabh Bachchan says that he has no intention to hurt the feelings of anyone.
“A Tamil Group picketed my houses this morning, asking me to not conduct IIFA in Sri Lanka !! I beckoned personnel from Wiz who own and conduct IIFA to come and meet me to discuss this matter and give it due importance” Bachchan wrote on his blog.
“ I believe Wiz craft personnel met representatives of this protest presentation along with the Police personnel that came over from the Juhu Police station, heard what they had to say, accepted a petition given by them, explained to them their side of the story and told them that the Governing body of the event would meet immediately to conference on this matter and reach some kind of final path and solution. Sentiments of all must be respected and I hope that we can plan and execute that with understanding peace and grace”he further wrote on his Blog.
The 67-year-old actor known as “Big –B” is the brand ambassador of the India International Films Awards (IIFA) and visited the island nation recently to announce the date of awards.
The group held a protest outside Bachchan's house 'Pratiksha' asking him not to hold IIFA awards in Sri Lanka.
Hundreds of Tamils on Sunday protested outside the bungalow of Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan, shouting slogans against his decision to visit Sri Lanka as chief guest for the India International Films Awards (IIFA) function in July.
"We urge him not to attend the function in Colombo as a symbol of solidarity for the Tamilian cause in Sri Lanka. Tamils have been subject to atrocities and war crimes perpetrated by the Mahinda Rajapaksa government in that country," C. Rajendran, spokesperson for the protesters said.
The protesters marched from Bachchan's Pratiksha bungalow to his Jalsa residence, where a delegation met him and two IIFA office bearers, who assured the representatives that they would convey the sentiments of Tamils to the IIFA governing board and take a suitable decision.
Later, Rajendran told mediapersons that the Sri Lankan government had allegedly killed over 1.5 lakh Tamils during its war with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in the last couple of years. He claimed that over 3.5 lakh Tamils continue to face a "hostile administration" in that country.
The full text of Amithabh Bachchan’s Blog entry is reproduced below:
Gloom and depression !! Mumbai Indians lost. I think Sachin was very brave in coming out to play, but they lost due to a more superior performance by Chennai Super Kings. Also I felt that Mumbai left it for too long to recover the run rate and by then it was climbing so high it became an impossibility to catch up. Dhoni, is a very calm and calculating Captain. Shrewd in his planning and execution.
He played it perfect tonight. I also felt that Mumbai left it to Pollard too late. They should have brought him on much earlier to bring on the pressure to the CSK. Anyway the better team won and Dhoni and his mates must be extremely happy to have recovered ground in this tournament, to finally come out victorious.
I have also not realized the impact of my little story about my MRI trip. It has flooded the electronic waves since morning after the Times of India brought out the entire blog detail on the front page. Anxious responses from FmXt have also filled up the blog as have my mobile lines and those of my family.
It was not meant to cause such panic. I mentioned my day in a somewhat detailed and humorous manner. The media made it out to be quite dramatic and the entire day has been spent in explaining that ‘all iz well’.
May I first thank all those that have expressed concern on my condition and say how deeply obliged I am for this endearing affection. There is nothing to be alarmed about. I still function normally and am under constant observation.
For this most worried reaction, I must take blame. But there is an entire history of my problems and which I would like to expand on as soon as possible. Filling you up with just one such incident yesterday has sparked some very collective concerned reactions. I would rather not subject you all further with another burst of issues that plague me. Maybe we shall sit a while and get all the details to be shared with the entire FmXt.
There were other issues that took away attention for me today.
A Tamil Group picketed my houses this morning, asking me to not conduct IIFA in Sri Lanka !! I beckoned personnel from Wiz who own and conduct IIFA to come and meet me to discus this matter and give it due importance. I believe Wiz craft personnel met representatives of this protest presentation along with the Police personnel that came over from the Juhu Police station, heard what they had to say, accepted a petition given by them, explained to them their side of the story and told them that the Governing body of the event would meet immediately to conference on this matter and reach some kind of final path and solution. Sentiments of all must be respected and I hope that we can plan and execute that with understanding peace and grace.
It is gaining upon a time past 2 am and I do wish to get some rest before the gym at 6, so I shall beg forgiveness. But I will and must come back to all, on my other medical issues.
” Our deeds determine us as much as we determine our deeds ”
May we all be swayed in the beauty of our deeds in love and in affection -
Amitabh Bachchan
13 Comments
How is that the Bachans - Amitab, Jaya, Abishek and Aiswsarya - find controversy their constant companian? Bal and Uday Thackeray - the Shiv Shena monsters - declared war on them and were about to evict them from Mumbai. Amitabh gets embroiled with Narendra Modi's Gujrat politics when anyone who is anyone in Indian public life keeps away from NM - too hot a potato for anyone there particularly when the Ahmedabad riots and the Best Bakery case are in the news. And now this.
The Saudi Royal family, the Israeli Govt (there could be many others) have on their pay specialists in global conflict affairs who are given an inkling of their visits to different Govts/countries ahead of months. They receive advise on what the sensitive-prone issues in the country to be visited are and so much controversy is avoided. I know very little about Hindi films but I have a lot of respect for AB, whom I met in the company of the late Gemini Ganeshan in Madras years ago. I heard an interview he gave one of Cbo's TV channels years ago when he was an MP. I thought he was what an MP should be - articulate, well informed, gentle in speech and knowledgeable.
He was later to leave politics with the remark he3 does not belong to it. A man of enormous talent, charm and striking personality whom any country would treasure to call their son. Sadly, he seems to have stepped into a Lankan landmine.
ISS
*** "We urge him not to attend the function in Colombo as a symbol of solidarity for the Tamilian cause in Sri Lanka. Tamils have been subject to atrocities and war crimes perpetrated by the Mahinda Rajapaksa government in that country," C. Rajendran, spokesperson for the protesters said. ***
LOL! TYPICAL of the TAMIL TERROR MONGERS of TAMIL NADU... they conveniently FAIL TO MENTION the HORRENDOUS ATROCITIES AND WAR CRIMES COMMITTED BY TAMIL TERRORISTS towards the Sinhalese.
No Worries, No one in India is going to Listen to these TAMIL IDIOTS anyway...They are a LUNATIC FRINGE group of TAMILS, ... even TAMIL NADU most are not buying the NONSENSE these LOONEY TUNE Protesters are selling. The FACT REMAINS that Sri lanka is the Safest place in South Asia right now and the INDIANS are wise to bring their Event here.... just like next year's Cricket World Cup.
http://video.dailymirror.lk/videos/399/bachan-announces-iifa-awards-in-colombo
This is something every Sri lankan should be proud about. It is high time that Tamils stop being dummies of anti Sri Lankan elements. They are always siding with the enemies. They should stop being a curse to their motherland which has offered so much for them.
If Indian businesses can come to SL why not IIFA:
Jaffna Lures Investments After Defeat of Rebels
By Anusha Ondaatjie (Bloomberg)
April 26 (Bloomberg) -- Sri Lanka’s Jaffna peninsula, a former stronghold of the Tamil Tiger rebels in the country’s north, is attracting investments by Indian companies in construction and agriculture after the defeat of the separatists, an industry official said.
As many as 10 Indian companies have this month expressed interest to set up factories for food processing, plastics and glass recycling, garments and ready-mix concrete, Kanagasabai Poornachandran, president of the Jaffna Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said in a telephone interview today from his office in Jaffna city.
The end of the 26-year civil war in Sri Lanka has encouraged Indian Oil Corp. and Bharti Airtel Ltd., India’s biggest state-run refiner and largest mobile-phone operator respectively, to expand in the island nation. Sri Lanka could benefit from its proximity to India just as Hong Kong profits from being a trade hub to China, HSBC Private Bank said after the war ended in May last year.
“We have great expectations for investments now that we are a peaceful land,” Poornachandran said. He did not reveal the names of Indian companies investing in Jaffna or the size of their investments.
Indian Investments
President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who ended the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam’s struggle for a separate homeland for ethnic Tamils in May last year, is counting on Indian companies to take the lead in investing in Sri Lanka as he tries to improve people’s livelihood.
Sri Lanka lies 31 kilometers (19 miles) south east of India, the world’s fastest-growing major economy after China.
The LTTE held the Elephant Pass, a causeway connecting Jaffna peninsula to the Sri Lankan mainland, since 2000. The group also controlled the A-9 highway, linking Jaffna to the south, forcing the government to supply weapons and food to soldiers and civilians in the Jaffna city by air and sea.
The army captured the pass and road in early 2009 as it pushed the Tamil Tigers toward the northeastern coast before finally eliminating them.
Sri Lanka’s $41 billion economy may grow 6.5 percent in 2010, the fastest pace in three years, led by construction, higher farm output and tourism, the central bank estimates.
Poornachandran said government programs to rebuild transport networks and provide concessionary loans to promote exports has spurred cultivation and fishing around Jaffna and encouraged investments.
Latest news-
IIFA venue as Sri Lanka is doubtful-Amitabh Bachchan
Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka was announced as the venue for India International Film Award (IIFA) by its brand ambassador, Amitabh Bachchan who now seems confused about this decision as the Tamil population in Mumbai and Canada has protested and asked him to find for some other location to hold the IIFA awards
Amitabh Bachchan has arranged a meeting with the owners of the India International Film Award (IIFA) brand, Tamil representatives and Wizcraft people.
The IIFA award function was scheduled between June3 and 5 at Colombo, Sri Lanka but now the fate of IIFA is in doubts.
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Sri Lanka needs to resettle all innocent, shell-shocked Tamil war victims in their homes and then only then it deserves to host India International Film Award (IIFA)
Amithab Bachan,
Thanks for quoting:
” Our deeds determine us as much as we determine our deeds ”.
That shows that you are a reasonable man. So I should bring this to your attention if you haven't already known it:
http://globalr2p.org/pdf/OpenLetterSriLanka.pdf
Letter to the Security Council on the situation in Sri Lanka, Global Centre for the Responsibility To Protect, 15 April 2009:
''... The Council must be prepared to bluntly characterize the violence in Sri Lanka as mass atrocity crimes; to demand that the government of Sri Lanka grant access to the conflict zone to humanitarian groups and to the media, both of whom it has barred until now; to dispatch a special envoy to the region, and/or to consider the imposition of sanctions. And ultimately, it must help facilitate a durable political solution to the fighting.''
http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/RWFiles2010.nsf/FilesByRWDocUnidFilename/SVAN-843LTD-full_report.pdf/$File/full_report.pdf
Banking on Solutions, A real-time evaluation of UNHCR’s shelter grant programme for returning displaced people in Northern Sri Lanka, March 2010:
''....The extent of shelter destruction appears to have been underestimated .... The presence of international NGOs in return areas would make an important contribution to addressing such gaps. .... Movement along the A9 is also still restricted for international NGOs and UN agencies. ...''
Let all sides of the so-called development story be told:
http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=51188
*** IIFA venue as Sri Lanka is doubtful-Amitabh Bachchan ***
Who knows if it will be held here... but one thing is for sure... if it is held in Sri Lanka, then the TERROR SUPPORTING TAMIL CINEMA Industry will just stay home... which would be just FANTASTIC! The last thing we want is those FILTHY TERRORISTS on our SOIL.
LOL!
I feel bad for Amitabh Bachchan. He always seems to be the target of people trying to gain some mileage out of his status.
I'd also like to clarify that I am a Tamil too and I SUPPORT IIFA or any other cultural exchange with the island nation. To think of it, the so called “Tamil group” had nothing against Sri Lankan players playing in the IPL, even in the Chennai Super King team, nor did they had any problem with our PM meeting SL’s President in the SAARC meet! But they are up in arms against a 67 year old actor who is just trying bring a cultural event to the war effected people in Sri Lanka.
And then you threaten him to boycott his son's film Ravana! That is shameful to say the least!
Thank You Gautham Ramachandra.
I personally know that most of the Tamils think like you.
Now it is confirmed that iifa will be held in Sri Lanka.
TAMIL NADU is the JOKE STATE of INDIA.. Ask any Indian if you think I Lie? ...they are like ALABAMA in the USA... Full of BACKWARD IDIOTS. And they are LED by IDIOTS too. Its a viscous cycle, but the funny thing is I really don't think they want to change?
Its no wonder that no one takes them seriously.
Devinda,
I have a better opinion of your learning though I know you are somewhat twisted. But to compare Tamilnadu with that of Alabama in the US is the giddy
limit. You offend both great countries and States. If you travel in North India and move in the right circles the very mention of Tamilnadu brightens eyes - for the State is identified with learning and culture. From the brilliant Harvard alumni P. Chidambaram in the Cabinet, to the world's greatest Chess Player Viswanath Anand some of the finest brains in India and Corporate USA come from Tamilnadu. Loyolla College for men and Stella Maris for Women are two of the best higher learning institutions in all of India. To call them idiots simply exposes your pathetic ignorance. Tell you what.
Grab that Tamil doll of yours and take a flight to
Chennai for a week - and you'll be ready to scratch
old MK's you-know-what after that. You might even throw that sickening Portugese monicker and go for a
Tamil one. Remember Suppiah and Ramasamy are out of fashion now. Chose a better one - like Devindasamy.
ISS
*** If you travel in North India and move in the right circles the very mention of Tamilnadu brightens eyes ***
It certainly does brighten eyes! Ask any Indian about the LTTE and they will say "the LTTE killed Rajiv Gandhi" but ask any Tamil NADU dweller and they will say something different... that attitude from these so-called South Indians brightens the eyes of most Sensible and Normal Indians...
and I am quite aware of the TAMIL attitude that goes into the automatic Self-Fellating Praise of your onw race over the few successful individuals your 70 Million odd population produces... the minute you have a successful rarity you people can't stop patting yourselves on the backs and engaging in the Self-Congratulatory behavior..
"Woo Hoo! We're the coolest! Our Race is best! Look at our Race,... we got the world's best chess player now... we must be special! Even though our race has been scattered like cockaroaches across the globe from our FAILED TERRORIST CAMPAIGN masquerading as a Freedom Struggle... we're the Best! Even though our own Politicians talk to us like the IDIOTS we are.... we're the Smartest .... Look at our Double OSCAR winner! We must be so superior! Look at our UK RAPPER MIA... we have produced ONE hit ARTIST so therefore we are the Most Talented Race on the planet! "
LOL! Yeah Yeah I know Senguttuvan.... your SUN GOD HERO Prabhakaran always used to repeat that for you so I can understand why you still BRAY those catch phrases again and again...
WE,Sri Lankan do not care IIFA or Bollywood much.Our first priory is peaceful country without LTTE terrorists.
So, you can have IIFA here or not it is your choice.We do not like intimidation and politics from neighbor countries because a simple award ceremony of a another country.
By the way there are friendly countries like China, Pakistan,Russia,Brazil, Iran and many more other countries alawys help our cause all times.
So,why we worry about LTTE and India now.
Sri Lanka, Please do not forget who are the Indians and what they done in the past.Do not forget real friends.Please keep the distance and let them to have their IIFA anywhere they like. It is good it is not to have in Sri Lanka at all. We do not need cardboard heroes from India.
Sam