Fragrance of Gujarat spreading across the world: Amitabh Bachchan

Ahmedabad: Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan today said Gujarat is like his home state, whose "fragrance" is spreading across India and the world as well. "Gujarat is like my home. I have a special bond with Gujarat. And, now 'Khushboo Gujarat Ki' (fragrance of Gujarat) is spreading across the nation and in the world as well.

"I have spent a lot of time here and I love Gujarat and its people," Bachchan, who is brand ambassador of Gujarat Tourism, said while talking to reporters here. The State hosted two mega events - Pravasi Bharatiya Divas and Vibrant Gujarat Summit - in the last one week.

The twin events were attended by hundreds of NRIs, leading industrialists, CEOs and world leaders. On his becoming Gujarat Tourism's brand ambassador, the 72-year-old legendary actor recalled a 2011 conversation he had with then Chief Minister Narendra Modi.

"I came here to seek tax exemption for 'Paa' in 2011 and at that time, then Chief Minister Narendra Modi informed me that Gujarat has the maximum number of archaeological sites. I asked him why doesn't he promote them. He asked me whether I am interested in promoting these sites. I readily agreed."

'Khushboo Gujarat Ki' is the tagline of Gujarat Tourism advertisements featuring the megastar. Earlier in the day, Bachchan flew kite alongside Gujarat Chief Minister Anandi Patel at her residence in Naranpura area in the city.

He later celebrated the kite festival, organised on the occasion of Sankranti, with children of Sughad village in Gandhinagar. Bachchan, along with the star cast of his upcoming film 'Shamitabh', was here for a promotional event.

The actor said his another upcoming movie 'Piku' had been shot in Gujarat though it has been set in Uttar Pradesh. "Piku's setting is of Uttar Pradesh. But we shot it in Gujarat as it offered favourable conditions for shooting," he stated.