Mumbai, September 10, 2008 - Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan spoke out on his wife Jaya Bachchan's anti-Maharashtrian comments, a day after Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray rejected her apology in Mumbai Mirror.

"The casual off-the-cuff remarks made by her at the music launch function were without malice or deliberate intent, but if it has caused hurt to the sentiments of Maharashtra, Maharashtrians and indeed the city and citizens of Mumbai, then she must seek regret and offer apology. Everything that we possess today is what came to us from this great state and city," Big B wrote in his blog.

Bachchan goes on to say.

"Mumbai and Maharashtra has given us glory and recognition. I am 66 years old and 40 of those years have been spent living in Mumbai. Is it ever possible that we will dishonor it? Never!"

Jaya Bachchan has apologised for her alleged "anti-Marathi" remarks after Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) activists went on a rampage in Mumbai on Tuesday.

Activists tore off posters of films featuring members of the Bachchan family. Jaya, speaking to reporters late on Monday, apologised and said the comments made by her were completely unintentional and that no one should take them seriously.

MNS chief Raj Thackeray had demanded an unconditional apology from Jaya for her alleged anti-Marathi utterances, failing which the party would prevent screening of all films starring any of the Bachchans in Mumbai.

He said that the actress had "insulted" the state and its people under the guise of promoting the national language.

At a film function on Saturday night, Jaya had said: "People of Maharashtra, please excuse me. I am from Uttar Pradesh so I will speak in Hindi."