The actor’s name was included in the Panama Paper Leaks
Sreekanth A. Nair
Putting an end to speculations regarding being selected as the brand ambassador of ‘Atulya Bharat’ (Incredible India), Actor Amitabh Bachchan, on Tuesday, said that he has not been formally approached by the government for the position.
“There have been queries from the media regarding my being brand ambassador for ‘Atulya Bharat’. I wish to state that I have not been formally approached for this position. The speculation of the media regarding its discontinuance is, therefore, not relevant as far as I am concerned,†said a statement issued by Bachchan.
His clarification came when it is rumored that the government has decided to put the decision to appoint Bachchan as the brand ambassador of Incredible India program on hold following the Panama Paper Leaks that allegedly included his name among famous people who have undisclosed assets in other countries.
“On the Panama disclosures, I wish to state that queries continue to be sent to me by the media. I would humbly request them to kindly direct these to the Government of India where I, as a law-abiding citizen have already sent, and shall continue to send, my responses. I stand by my earlier statement on the ‘misuse of my name’ in the matter and in any event the press reports do not disclose any illegal act committed by me,†he added.
In January, it was rumored that Bachchan would replace Aamir Khan as the brand ambassador of Incredible India.
But the actor has been facing criticism after The Indian Express ran several pages of the investigation reports, commonly known as Panama Paper Leaks, earlier this month, alleging among other names that Bollywood superstars Amitabh Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai were directors in companies in Panama.