Brown-Bachchan meeting leaves Bollywood smiling

By Subhash K. Jha Jan 31, 2007, 15:23 GMT

Mumbai, Dec 31 (IANS) The not-too-brief meeting between Britain's future prime minister Gordon Brown and Indian superstar Amitabh Bachchan has resulted in big plans for Bollywood.

Bachchan told IANS: 'Yes, we did meet at Yashraj Studios, though this isn't the first time that Chancellor Brown and I have met. He has on other occasions asked me to be part of charitable and social global endeavours, and I've gladly done whatever I could.'

But now Bollywood seems to be the focus of Brown's attentions. Apparently the British chancellor of the exchequer was so taken up with the Big B that he insisted on watching footage of the mega actor.

'I don't know about that. But yes he did watch 'Kajra re'. After that we had a fairly detailed discussion. Chancellor Brown wants to extend the parameters of our collaboration with Great Britain. He wants to provide further incentives and facilities to our film industry for shooting in England.'

What the Big B desists from stating is that Brown zeroed in on the actor as Bollywood's primary ambassador to Britain, and is in the process of formulating ambitious plans to further Indian cinema's reach in Britain.

'Yes, there was a closed-door meeting after the screening of 'Kajra re'. I am certainly willing to represent our industry in every way that I can,' said Bachchan.

While some said he had a big glow on his face at the meeting with Brown, Bachchan said: 'The glow, as you call it, comes from the fact that my son has made such an impact in 'Guru' and that he's getting married.'

His son Abhishek is engaged to actress Aishwarya Rai.

© 2007 Indo-Asian News Service