Amitabh Bachchan was denied permission to promote his latest film Aarakshan in Lucknow University. A place, which is associated with Big B's father Harivansh Rai Bachchan, was surprisingly not keen on having a lecture by the actor.
Director Prakash Jha had planned to take Amitabh Bachchan to address the students and teachers of the university on the issue of job reservation as part of the promotion of Aarakshan. But Lucknow University refused to arrange a lecture for the actor and other promotional activities of the film. Prakash's grouse is that the university refused to let the promotion take place without knowing whether the lecture would be for or against the issue of job reservation.
Since it is a sensitive issue for the people of UP particularly Lucknow, where several youth have lost their lives during the reservation agitation, the authorities thought it wasn't a good idea to allow a lecture on the topic. More so by Bachchan, as it would have invited more public attention. Considering the fact that the job- reservation issue is so important to Uttar Pradesh, Jha had made plans for a comprehensive question and answer session between Amitabh and the University's students and staff.
Earlier during the marketing of Rajneeti, Prakash Jha had to face difficulties, because the concerned authorities were wary of giving them permission to promote the movie. Prakash is clearly unhappy but Amitabh Bachchan has chosen not to comment.