August 31, 2009 . The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief, Raj Thackeray, seems to have undergone a change of heart. After blasting north Indian actor Amitabh Bachchan just a few months ago accusing him of being unfaithful to Mumbai, Thackeray has now called him his favourite Bollywood actor.
 
They say all is fair in love, war and politics, an adage that Thackeray has been living up to, but how come a sudden change of heart? That's what he does best.
 
He raked up the Mumbai pride and spread hate for anything non-Marathi, especially belonging to Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Thackeray has been a politician who rose to fame piggybacking on the cause of Marathi manoos.
 
At the Ganpati festival organised by Bollywood actor and director Mahesh Manjrekar, Raj looked a new man altogether. When asked about his favourite Bollywood actor the hardcore Marathi named Big B.
 
Calm body language, minus the anger, those serious looks and the vitriolic statements. So has the election defeat humbled this angry young Marathi manoos? Or is Thackeray now trying to appease some other sections of the society?
 
Raj surprised many with his series of answers at the event. After Big B, he named Hema Malini, Hrishikesh Mukherjee as his other favourites from the B town.
 
Atal Bihari Vajpayee came first in his list of favourite politicians, of course besides uncle Balasaheb Thackeray.
 
Shockingly, none of Thackeray's most liked people hail from Maharashtra.
 
But just as people thought that the Thackeray junior was ready to welcome north Indians into Mumbai with open arms, a disclaimer came from the Marathi leader, "They can sell paani puri, but I won't let them rule here." 

......A Letter to all Respected Marathis and Raj Thackeray ........

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