Tamil superstar Rajnikant’s support for Tamil Nadu in the row over Hogenakkal water project prompted a Shiv Sena diatribe against Amitabh Bachchan over “sons of the soil” issue. In a front-page article on Saturday, the Sena mouthpiece, Saamna, said Rajnikant had overshadowed Bachchan by his show of solidarity with his karmabhoomi (Tamil Nadu) over janmabhoomi.The newspaper claimed that while Rajnikant was born in Karnataka and educated in Maharashtra, he had attained stardom in Tamil Nadu. “He stayed true to his salt by expressing solidarity with Tamil Nadu. The entire country was watching his decision. He has overshadowed everyone including superstar Amitabh Bachchan by considering his karmabhoomi superior to his janmabhoomi,” the report said. Despite speculation regarding the stance which Rajnikant aka Shivajirao Gaikwad, who was born into a Marathi family, would take on the water dispute between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, he had joined the fast with other Tamil actors on Friday to show solidarity with Tamil Nadu’s stand on the controversial water project and denounce the attack on cinema houses screening Tamil movies in Bangalore.“There are many artistes who gain fame in Maharashtra and Mumbai. However, in the backdrop of the lack of resolve shown by many artistes like Amitabh when issues like Marathi, Mumbai or regional pride crop up, there was speculation about the stance that Rajnikant would adopt. However, Rajnikant followed the culture of Maharashtra. He stressed that he had prospered in Tamil Nadu and hence belongs there,” the report said, pointing out that the Tamil superstar had joined the fast to protect the interests of Tamilians and condemn the stance of the Kannadigas. It also mentioned how a reader had called up the Saamna office to ask whether Marathi stars like Nana Patekar, Prashant Damle, Shreyas Talpade, Madhuri Dixit-Nene, Rakhi Sawant and Kajol would also stand by Maharashtra and observe a fast in a similar manner at the Wankhede stadium grounds on the sons of soil issue.When The Sunday Express contacted Bachchan, he replied in a text message: “I have not read the piece nor do I know of its content or intent. Once I do, I will be in a position to consider a comment.”But a PTI report earlier in the day said Bachchan, when asked for his comments on the Saamna article, told reporters: “No one needs to question what I have done for Mumbai. For I know what I have done.”“Do you think I am not doing much for Maharashtra. If that’s what you think, then it is unfortunate,” the report quoted Bachchan as saying.
