Mumbai,March 03: SACHIN Tendulkar said it, Mukesh Ambani said it, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat also said it. But none of them said ‘ Mumbai belongs to all’ in front of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray.
Asha Bhosale, one of the biggest Marathi cultural icons, on Monday showed the gumption of saying this on Raj’s face.
And such has been the effect that the MNS chief’s lips are still sealed.
Speaking at an event organised by a Marathi channel in Pimpri near Pune, the playback singer said Mumbai and India belonged to all. “ Everyone has a right to go anywhere in India. I can go and stay in Gujarat… I can stay in Madras… the only issue is what kind of work is done… we can’t take away anyone’s job. Whoever is willing to work from 9 in the morning to 12 in the night will be successful,” Bhosale said, when the programme’s host asked her about her stand on the migrants.
As the gathering clapped, Raj, who was sitting in the front row, had no choice but to swallow his pride and smile.
Bhosale’s jibe has been the unkindest of all — she is known to be close to the Thackerays, including Raj.
Ironically, just minutes ago, Raj had cited Asha’ example to stress his point that if Marathis could learn other languages, why couldn’t the migrants in Mumbai make the effort to learn Marathi.
Praising the legendary singer, he said: “ Asha ji has learnt several languages and has sung songs in different languages that were liked in several parts of the country.” The veteran singer, however, was not done yet. As she bade farewell, she told the audience that she wasn’t very comfortable in chaste Marathi as she has been singing Hindi songs most of her life.
“ I have tried to perfect my Marathi by trying to read books, so please excuse me,” Bhosale said, before leaving the dais with “ Jai Maharashtra”. Neither Raj, nor any other leader from his party was willing to comment on the snub by Bhosale. She is the only one so far who has called Raj’s bluff on his face. ( While Sachin’s comment on the migrant issue came at a press conference, Mukesh Ambani spoke in London and Bhagwat had offered his reaction in Guwahati.) And Raj, who usually dares people sitting in his residence or from the dais of his party, couldn’t even respond.
Bhosale is one of the most respected and acknowledged Marathi icons and she has snubbed Raj’ and his party’s political agenda. What has left many wondering is why she chose to hit out at Raj. The outspoken singer is known to speak her mind and never spares anyone, not even her elder sister Lata Mangeshkar.
But it’s being speculated whether she has shown the courage on take on Raj since she has no stakes left either in films or in music albums, and is basking in her glorious career spanning over 50 years.
Unlike her, other lesser mortals from the Marathi film industry chose to steer clear of the subject.
Filmmaker Mahesh Manjarekar, who made Mee Shivajiraje Bhosale Boltoy with the theme of a Marathi protagonist taking on the migrants, said the issue was being blown out of proportion by the media for vested interests. “ It’s for publicity. Why do you want to make a story out of it?” he said.