Raj sends Big B sketch as b'day gift, Bachchan returns compliment

Raj Thackeray and Amitabh Bachchan

Recently, MNS chief Raj Thackeray sent across a sketch as a belated birthday gift to Amitabh Bachchan. The sketch by Raj was delivered at Bachchan's residence Jalsa by his son Amit Thackeray. Amit received a return gift from Big B in the form of a fluorescent green watch that the mega star has sported on celluloid for many films.

According to a report in Mumbai Mirror, Amit's friends say he hasn't removed the watch from the moment he received it. Amey Khopkar, who heads MNS' film wing, and who had accompanied Amit Thackeray to Jalsa, told Mirror, "We spent around two hours with Mr Bachchan, who said that a sketch by Raj Thackeray himself was extremely dear and valuable to him. He showed us his library, and we were surprised to find a number of Raj saheb's sketches and caricatures in his collection."

Speaking about the return gift, Khopkar told the paper. "He (Amit) had read that Mr Bachchan had a huge collection of watches. Mr Bachchan said that he had bought the green watch from London many years ago, but didn't say much about it. All of us were stunned when the watch was delivered to Raj saheb's house Krishna Kunj the very next day as return gift. Mr Bachchan is indeed class apart," Khopkar told Mirror.

According to the report, Bachchan inquired if Amit was helping his father Raj in politics. "I attend rallies and help out whenever I get a chance, but I'm not into fulltime politics," Amit is said to have told Bachchan.

Bachchan turned 74 on October 11 this year.