Amitabh Bachchan Lied and they could have gotten Millions from Ontario and Canada Government??

Toronto: After desperate attempts by the Unforgettable Tour guys to paint what was a flop show as a superhit (a trick often employed in Mumbai with new releases), they seem to have come around to the realization that it was indeed a flop show. Having been able to sell less than a third of the available tickets at the Rogers Centre, there was no question in those present at the venue that the Bachchan magic was on the wane, and largely helped by unrealistic ticket prices and the less than capable promotion provided by the local organizers.

Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan wrote on his blog
"Everyone performed their heart out. And the crowds were just fantastic. Sold -out venue. We had to open up the tiers to accommodate those who could not get tickets. Fire marshals and security had a tough time keeping them on their seats. Not a moment to breathe, just one ecstatic.." 

But Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan accused a section of the media and the film fraternity conspired to bring down his much hyped ongoing 'Unforgettable' tour.

"I am however shocked and covered in disbelief at being privy personally to a design by certain sections of the media and the fraternity to bring down this show. To kill it, to malign and write it off. This is shameful and disgusting"he added

But the following is what has transpired since then ; Media reports came out along with  The photographs surfaced of the show showing empty seats ...

India Abroad received several letters claiming there were not more than 8,000 people present. One letter writer lamented that 'such outstanding artists had to perform before empty seats.'

Roger Nair, the distributor of the film Guru in Canada [Images], said there were a maximum of 8,000 to 10,000 people present.

Peter Fonseca, Ontario's minister of tourism, told India Abroad that there were 23,000 people present. When told there were reports contrary to that number, he said he would try and find out.His office came back confirming that they were misinformed by the promoters of the show Ethnic guru and the number was not from their office and thus washed their hands off the issue.The office also  confirmed that Mr. Fonseca did not attend the show.

source:Rediff Story Akshay

Moe Jiwan the organizer from ethnic guru told "Hindi Times " his background is Finance and "unforgettable tour" was Mr. Amitabh Bachchan's brainchild and the name "ethnic guru" is his partner's.He said he sold 13,000 tickets for the show ,He also claimed that Rogers  Centre in a concert  can  only fit  maximum 15,000  people. 

A claim very quickly discredited by the venue Rogers Centre  : click on the following

Rogers Centre

Mumbai-based Wizcraft International Entertainment, the organisers of the tour, parted company with the Canadian promoters, Ethnic Guru, saying that the latter had failed to meet contractual commitments, a statement released by them in India said.According to an IANS dispatch, the organisers have also notified Ethnic Guru to refund the money of the sponsors and also of the people who bought the tickets.
And now comes the news that the Vancouver has dropped the Bachchans for lack of box office enthusiasm among the fans.

To cover up their and their Canadian promoter Ethnic Guru’s incompetence, Unforgettable Tour management company Wizcraft official Joseph Sabbas insults Vancouver by saying that they didn’t want to do the show here. "The ticket prices were not expensive. We didn't want to do the Vancouver show, so we opted out. We felt there was no point going all the way back for nothing for just one show in Canada,” he said

At an event held in Delhi, Abhishek Bachchan who flew down for a day cleared all controversies. He said, “The tour had to be cancelled because the promoters of the show defaulted on the contract, not allowing us to carry on the show. We feel sad for our Vancouver fans. Now the legalities have stepped in and the decision of the promoters and organizers has been taken into consideration.”

source: Zoom-Isko Dekho

Well known local promoter Kamal Sharma, who had been handling ticket sales for the Vancouver show, announced last Thursday the cancellation and offered refunds for those who had bought tickets.

"This is a real disappointment for the fans and it is certainly a set back for Vancouver as a Bollywood stars show destination," Sharma told the local paper LINK. "But there was apprehension about the prices of tickets but I believe it is still a doable show and for the sake of the fans I hope the show is saved."

Sharma said a drastic reduction in price from the Tour's management company WizCraft is the only way to save the show. The bottom price that WizCraft will sell the show for is $650,000 but Sharma feels that is still too high and something in the range of $500,000 - $550,000 is what will put the show back on track.

Source: The Link

Some people now wonder why there was such an unseemly haste in portraying the show as a hit even by the Senior Bachchan on his website and some pliable media, when it was all too evident that Toronto was best forgotten. It was embarrassing when a blogger wrote on the same website, that he was there and he was a witness to the empty chairs.

A lot of attention is being paid to the local organizers who is being blamed for faulty organization, and an arrogant attitude. A source confided to Voice, "Last year they made a presentation to one of the major Canadian corporations, and they wanted $1 million in sponsorship. And they were serious!"

The show is also billed as "unaffordable" because of the controversy attached to a reporter being kicked out by Mr. Bachchan and organisers' security personnel for asking a question about the price of tickets.Can-India called it "suppression of the Press" 

Can-India  News

Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty might have something to do with creating this uncalled for level of confidence when he first lent his name to an event that launched the Unforgettable Tour last year where he was present and spoke eloquently of the 'Miss World' and her husband, Bachchan Jr. who were present. As a smart politician, it was a great photo opportunity for the Premier, but the people connected with it now suddenly swelled with importance and expectations.

With the collapse of the Toronto show, yet another dream of the Bachchans might have vanished - to host the IIFA (International Indian Film Academy) film festival in Toronto in 2011. In fact, according to one insider, the local agents with the support of some senior politicians were hoping to garner financial support for the festival, selling it as a great PR exercise both within and without the South Asian community.

"If the financial support of various levels of government had come through, they would've profited in the millions of dollars," said a source privy to how government grants work.

Now with so much negative attached to the Toronto opening, it is unlikely that the supporters within the government will be eager to cut the cheques for an event that could put their careers on line.

Turns out they cancelled all shows after London Pretty successful huh

Source : Weekly Voice a Canadian weekly Magazine, Hindi Times,Can-India , Rediff ,ZOOM-isko Dekho, South Asian Link

Bachchan Fiasco: Weekly Voice

Rediff News July 28th