Attention and tension ?

Recently, Amitabh Bachchan stayed away from an AIDS awareness function. Did it have to do with Shah Rukh Khan being the chief guest at the occasion ?

Amitabh Bachchan said that he was unable to attend a function organised by Smita Thakeray’ Mukti Foundation because of the shooting schedule of Aladdin. Later, we found out, that the shooting actually got over by 5 pm. The event was supposed to begin only after 8 pm. What reached in place of Big B was a recorded message that flashed on the screens explaining his absence from the venue. Says Allwyn Roderick from Mukti Foundation, “Mr. Bachchan could not attend the function as he was busy shooting for his film. In fact, through an audio-visual he conveyed that he wouldn’t be able to make it to the event as he was busy shooting for Aladdin and also conveyed his best wishes to the foundation for working for this noble cause.”

Our ever-alert sources report, “Bachchan wound up his shooting much before the event started. A source from the production unit of Aladdin, says, “Mr. Bachchan left the sets by 5 pm.”

The fact that SRK was chief guest at the venue may have had something to do with it. “Maybe Bachchan felt that SRK would get all the attention at the event. Given that, it would be somewhat demeaning for an actor of Big B’s stature to play second fiddle.”

Smita Thackeray started the ‘Mukti’ Foundation in 1997, which works towards the welfare of HIV-AIDS affected patients, organized a star-studded evening last Saturday in Mumbai to celebrate the 10th anniversary of her organisation.