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.