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Amitabh Bachchan faces complaint for singing 'incorrect' national anthem at Pakistan-India clash

Bollywood superstar allegedly took more time to sing the national anthem than the mandated 52 seconds

News Desk March 22, 2016

Shafqat Amanat Ali (L) sings the Pakistan national anthem as Indian Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan (C) and Chief Minister of West Bengal Mamata Banerjee (C) look on ahead of the start of the World T20 cricket tournament match between India and Pakistan at The Eden Gardens Cricket Stadium in Kolkata on March 19, 2016. PHOTO: AFP

After Pakistani singer Shafqat Amanat Ali faced backlash for singing the 'wrong' national anthem at the Pakistan-India World T20 clash, Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan is now facing a similar complaint.

The megastar has been blamed for singing the national anthem incorrectly at the high-voltage between the neighbouring countries.

The soulful rendition of the Bollywood superstar gave Indians goosebumps to instill in them the perfect feeling ahead of the match.

The #IND National Anthem sung by @SrBachchan ahead of #INDvPAK #WT20 https://t.co/NdXaA7665y
— ICC (@ICC) March 19, 2016

I had by no means 'forgotten' our beloved national anthem: Shafqat Amanat Ali

However, a short filmmaker has filed a police complaint against Bachchan at a local police station in New Delhi, accusing him of taking more time that is mandated to sing the anthem, Indian media reported on Monday.

Complaint filed in Ashok Nagar PS (Delhi) against Amitabh Bachchan for allegedly singing incorrect national anthem during #IndvsPak match
— ANI (@ANI) March 21, 2016

“Amitabh Bachchan has time and again sung the national anthem of India wrong. This time, at Eden Gardens, he sang it for one minute and 10 seconds in his own style and rhythm, which is totally against the rules framed by the Ministry of Home Affairs and the judgment passed by the apex court," the complainant said.

The Indian Ministry of Home Affairs has laid down certain rules regarding the national anthem of India, which are to be followed by every citizen of the country. One such rule says that the duration of the national anthem should be around 52 seconds, but Amitabh sang it for one minute and 10 seconds.

The complaint also stated that in the last lines of the national anthem, Amitabh said 'Mangal Nayak' instead of 'Mangal Dayak'.

Artists throw weight behind Shafqat Amanat Ali

Earlier there were also reports that the actor had charged Rs40 million as his appearance fee during the match, according to The Indian Express. However, top Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) official cleared the air, confirming that Bachchan didn’t charge a single penny.

Cricket Association of Bengal president Sourav Ganguly was quoted by Anandabazar Patrika that Bachchan paid a sum of Rs3 million out of his own pocket for his stay and travel to Kolkata.

Earlier, Pakistani singer Shafqat Amanat Ali was rebuked by Pakistani fans for failing to keep up with the lyrics of the anthem.

COMMENTS (7)

Saurabh | 8 years ago | Reply Ideal timing/ guideline is 52 secs, it's not a law or punishable offence if one exceeds 1 min. Heard the anthem sung in standium five times, Amitabh Bachchan was 100% accurate everywhere. Zero error. Shocking even in that he could find non existent error. Amitabh rightly sang Mangal Dayak not Mangal Nayak as heard by complainant's faulty imaginary ears. Since this blatant liar is going to loose the case badly, I suggest Bachchan family seek hefty monetary compensation and public apology from him. So that in future people think twice before using such ways to gain fame.

Nitin Amin | 8 years ago | Reply Cheap tactics by fame hungry delhiwala filmmaker. With this poor stunt, doors to Mumbai film industry is permanently closed for him. Filing case over issue of singing too long and accent of Nayak out of 56 words in anthem. How absurd. Amitabh Bachchan was perfect with with singing..full of emotion, patriotism, humility. He touched indian people's heart with it. Shame on this guy to demean such a beautiful anthem sung by Amitabh. It was most loved, Highlight/talking point of the day apart from winning match. By making such false cases he's testing the intellienge of whole nation. This jealous person should be sued for filing false case over frivolous excuses of timing, hurting Indian sentiments. It's this guy from Delhi that hurt indian sentiments not Mr Bachchan.

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ad | 8 years ago | Reply He sang perfect, the complaint is that he didnt finish it in 52seconds, But then half of india and majority of schools should have case against them, no one counts exact 52 s , unless its a sarkari event or parade etc.

Vijesh | 8 years ago | Reply Amitabh Bachchan should file defamation case worth 100 crore on this publicity stunt seeker from asok nagar. 1.25 billion people are with Mr Bachchan. He sang beautifuly in his own voice, rendition without any lyrical error. Gave goose bumps to all Indians. The publicity stunt seeker is party spoiler with hearing problems. Rest 1.25 billion heard Sir Bachchan well. If Amitabh is wrong, then so are rest Indians. None of us have been singing super fast to finish in 52 secs. Every indian till today had freedom to have their own version, rhythm for national anthem - starting from legendary singers who sang in various different ways, time limit using different musical instruments, same with govts institutions, govt media channel versions. So the govt itself is biggest violator in that case. Hearing such nonsense rules for first time from this guy. Ab should file case against him and seek damages.

Pro | 8 years ago | Reply Cheap tactics of such lawyers for getting some fame/name.

Mahesh Desai | 8 years ago | Reply Indian Express - maybe angry because India won!

Bunny Rabbit | 8 years ago | Reply Hes given too much mileage I say . stop worshipping him .

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