Raj Thackeray gifts Amitabh Bachchan a sketch, superstar thanks MNS chief with a watch

While Maharashtra Navnirman Sena’s (MNS) call for a ban over Pakistani artistes working in the film industry has created a divide among Bollywood celebs, Amitabh Bachchan seems to be bonding with MNS chief Raj Thackeray.

Reports stated that Thackeray had sent Bachchan a sketch last Friday as a belated birthday gift. Bachchan, who had celebrated his birthday on 11 October received the gift at his Juhu residence from Thackeray’s son Amit, and Amey Khopkar, the MNS’ film wing’s head.

Amitabh Bachchan also returned the gesture by sending across his fluorescent green watch as a return gift. The superstar was often photographed wearing it.

“He (Amit) had read that Mr Bachchan had a huge collection of watches. Mr Bachchan said that he had bought the green watch from London many years ago, but didn’t say much about it. All of us were stunned when the watch was delivered to Raj saheb’s house Krishna Kunj the very next day as return gift. Mr Bachchan is indeed class apart,” Khopkar told Mumbai Mirror .

A few years ago the equations between Raj Thackeray and Amitabh Bachchan were not as friendly. In 2008 MNS had picked on the Bachchan family for not contributing enough to Maharashtra despite living in the state for many years. During those times Jaya Bachchan had also said “Hum UP wale hain, Hindi mein hi bolna pasand karenge", but had to tender an apology later.

It is said that Thackeray was a great fan of Amitabh and had even named his son after him . However things changed after he did not receive an invitation for Abhishek-Aishwarya’s wedding in 2007, news sources had speculated.