Cheerful Amitabh, Amar Singh share dais

Pune, March 30 (IANS) Bollywood star Amitabh Bachchan and former Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh shared a dais here Tuesday though the latter has criticised the mega star's wife Jaya Bachchan's decision to remain with the Samajwadi Party.

The duo - who have always described themselves as 'family friends' - seemed to enjoy the limelight as they came together at the famed Symbiosis Institute of Media & Communications on the city's outskirts.

The occasion was the inauguration of a studio complex in the institute campus at Lavale, around 25 km from here.

The meeting set tongues wagging in political circles, especially as Singh had criticised Jaya Bachchan's decision to continue with the Samajwadi Party even after it expelled him Feb 2.

On his part, Amitabh Bachchan had apparently swept aside bygones, cheerfully addressing the gathering of students and fielding their questions along with Singh.

The Big B said Indian cinema has achieved a respectable status on the world stage and united the people of the country.

He also reminisced about his school days and memories of his legendary father, the late poet Harivanshrai Bachchan.