Veteran actor Amitabh Bachchan has said that he would be more than happy to become the face of Incredible India campaign.
Talking to Times Now channel, he said, “I really don’t know what the issue is. Don’t know if it’s an issue of commercial contract coming to an end. But nobody has contacted me to replace him. I’ve always worked towards the country. And I will be more than happy to be associated with Incredible India.”
Shabana Azmi said that the film personalities were increasingly becoming easy targets for raising their voices against intolerance.
The tourism ministry of Narendra Modi government on Wednesday had announced it was removing Aamir Khan as the mascot of its flagship campaign after 10 years of association with the Bollywood megastar.
The central government’s decision is being seen as a punishment for Aamir’s criticism for the central government on religious intolerance.
If indeed the reports of Bachchan being roped in to replace Aamir are true, it will be yet another association of him with Modi government.
While as the chief minister of Gujarat, Modi had hired the services of Bachchan to be the brand ambassador of Gujarat tourism.
It’s not clear whether Bachchan will lend his services to Incredible India campaign free of charge. Aamir on Thursday had said that he had not charged any money during his 10 years of association with Incredible India.
The government’s decision to axe Aamir Khan has elicited angry reaction on social media.
Here are some of the tweets;
Bizarre & openly-biased move by govt.! @aamir_khan is one of the most credible people around. 'Incredible India' campaign will lose out!
— VISHAL DADLANI (@VishalDadlani) January 7, 2016
Modi Sarkar is petty, perverse and petulant; and of course, intolerant. #IncredibleIndia @aamir_khan
— Sanjay Jha (@JhaSanjay) January 7, 2016
https://twitter.com/ShirishKunder/status/684953813581729793
https://twitter.com/DrunkVinodMehta/status/685092601750405120
Tagline for new Incredible India, "Elect on hope, live in denial" https://t.co/HwoiTHZia0
— SANJAY HEGDE (@sanjayuvacha) January 7, 2016
All talks of @aamir_khan's contract getting over was just another lie by Indian govt. Utterly shameful n vindictive! https://t.co/49BHRMNvok
— Rifat Jawaid (@RifatJawaid) January 7, 2016