Bachchans' boycott of IIFA 2011 - Page 6

MUMBAI: After Amitabh Bachchan tweeted that IIFA does not need him anymore, an official statement issued by IIFA clarified that they have aborted the very concept of brand ambassador.

The official statement by Wizcraft said, "Keeping in mind the huge respect that Wizcraft and IIFA have for Mr Bachchan and the deep relationship that we've always shared, we will not have anyone replace Mr Bachchan."

It maybe recalled that relations between IIFA and the Bachchans strained after the family stayed away from last year's event in Sri Lanka. Although no reasons were given by the Bachchans for their non-participation, they apparently took that decision after the south Indian film industry decided to boycott the event and even called for Bollywood to follow suit.

The Mani Ratnam-directed 'Raavan', starring abhishek bachchan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, was due for release at the time and the Bachchans didn't want to jeopardize its release, so they probably heeded the south Indian film industry's plea not to go to Sri Lanka. Actor Salman Khan filled in for Bachchan at the last minute.