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Amitabh Bachchan & IIFA Awards part ways

After ten years of being the face of the International Film Awards (IIFA), organisers of the event have decided to part ways with Amitabh Bachchan.

 

The new agreement comes into place this year when IIFA travels to Toronto between 23rd and 25th June.

Writing on his Twitter page, he said, “We are not coming to IIFA… IIFA said our services are not required!!”

He continued, “It’s not me … it’s the organisers of IIFA that do not want me in Toronto… Sri Lanka was the same.”

In a statement, Sabbas Joseph, director of organisers Wizcraft International Entertainment said, “Due to unexplainable reasons, Bachchan couldn`t participate in the IIFA Weekend (in Sri Lanka) last year. Following this, IIFA aborted the concept of a brand ambassador.” He, however, said that the organisers have no plans to replace the actor.

“Bachchan`s reason for non-participation is best known to him. IIFA and Bachchan are inseparable. We will continue to pursue his participation for this year too.

“Keeping in mind the huge respect that we have for Bachchan, we are not having anyone replace him. The Bachchan family has been an intrinsic part of IIFA every year, and we have already shared with them a proposal about their participation this year too,” Joseph said.

The first sign of rift with the organisers was noticed last year when Big B and his family stayed away from the event in Sri Lanka following protests by South Indian Film Chamber of Commerce over the alleged mistreatment of Tamils in the island country. Abhishek Bachchan`s then upcoming release ‘Raavan’ was also cited as a reason.