New York, August 20, 2007 - Even as Bollywood reacts to recent reports of gangster Abu Salem’s statements describing the nexus between the Hindi film industry and organized crime, superstar Amitabh Bachchan has dismissed those claims as wild exaggerations. The actor, currently in New York with his family, also gave his fans in the United States something to look forward to next year.

He famously declared 'Main hoon don' on the silverscreen many years ago but actor Amitabh Bachchan says there are no real life dons calling the shots in Indian cinema. The alleged mafia-Bollywood nexus is again making news following gangster Abu Salem’s reported statements to law enforcement officials. But Bachchan, currently visiting the United States, maintains the links are exaggerated.

Actor, Amitabh Bachchan told CNBC-TV18, "Far too much emphasis is laid on this aspect, when in fact there’s hardly any indication of that. This may have been an aspect many many years ago. But like in any aspects of business, there’s the good and there’s the bad. What’s important is for us to recognize the bad and try to get rid of it as soon as possible. I think we’ve been able to achieve that."

Amitabh Bachchan, along with Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai, announced their forthcoming live performance programme titled The Unforgettable Tour. The ambitious tour, featuring a team of top Indian filmstars, will kick off next year and travel to six continents, including many American cities. On this visit, the evergreen superstar treated his fans in New York to a more literary performance.

The Bachchan magic hasn’t dimmed a bit in all these years, as was proved by the sellout crowds to hear Amitabh Bachchan read from the poetry of his late father Harivansh Rai Bachchan at the prestigious Lincoln Center.