And now the long-time relationship between Shahenshah Of Bollywood Amitabh Bachchan and the prestigious award banner International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) has come to an amicable end.
Bachchan is reportedly removed from the post of IIFA’s brand ambassador. Not only that, the organisation has announced that hereon it is completely doing away with the concept of brand ambassador.
Said Sabbas Joseph (Director of Wizcraft and IIFA) in an official statement, “Due to unexplainable reasons, after announcing the event Brand Ambassador, Mr. Bachchan couldn’t participate in the IIFA Weekend Sri Lanka last year. Following this, IIFA aborted the concept of a Brand Ambassador. Keeping in mind the huge respect that Wizcraft and IIFA have for Mr. Bachchan and the deep relationship that we’ve always shared, we are not having anyone replace Mr. Bachchan. The Bachchan family has been an intrinsic part of IIFA every year, and in this regard we have already shared with them a proposal about their participation this year too. Mr Bachchan’s reason for non-participation is best known to him. IIFA and Mr. Bachchan are inseparable. We will continue to pursue his participation for this year too. ”
Meanwhile, Big B is miffed over the organizers and aired his feelings on his micro-blogging page: “We are not coming to IIFA ... IIFA said our services are not required!! Its not me, its the organizers of IIFA that do not want me in Toronto. SriLanka was the same."
Last year, neither the icon nor his family members had attended the awards in Sri Lanka. And grapevines believed it was due to a statement by South Indian Film Chamber of Commerce which said that the Southern stars and filmmakers would boycott all Bollywood stars who attended the IIFA in Sri Lanka. But the veteran actor clarified it by dismissing the speculations. He said that the organizers had failed to invite his family to the function for two consecutive years.
