Megastar Amitabh Bachchan got embroiled in a controversy after a report on social media claimed that he charged a whopping amount to sing the national anthem during the India-Pakistan World Twenty 20 match. However, Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) president Sourav Ganguly said that Amitabh had not taken a single rupee for the appearance.
On Saturday, Amitabh sang the national anthem at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata, but soon after reports started doing the rounds on social media that he charged a fee of Rs 4 crore to attend the opening ceremony of the match. Many fans reacted to the reports and even questioned his patriotism.
However, Ganguly confirmed that Big B has not charged money and in fact paid Rs 30 lakh from his pocket for the appearance. Apparently, Big B booked his own flight and paid the hotel bills from his pocket.
"Mr Bachchan is one and only, a special person. I am eternally grateful to him. Can you imagine someone paying Rs 30 lakhs of his own pocket to perform? He booked his own flight, bought his own tickets and even paid the hotel bills. I literally begged him to take some money but he said that I am doing it for love and there is no question of money being involved," CAB president Sourav Ganguly was quoted as saying by Anandbazar Patrika, according to Hindustan Times.
Earlier a senior CAB official clarified that Big B did not take money from them to appear during the India-Pakistan match.
