Amitabh Bachchan, Lata Mangeshkar may skip Narendra Modi's swearing-in ceremony

MUMBAI: Lata Mangeshkar, Amitabh Bachchan and Salman Khan may give Narendra Modi's swearing-in ceremony a miss in Delhi while a host of Bollywood celebrities like Anupam Kher and Vivek Oberoi will attend the function.

Modi, who led BJP to an unprecedented victory, is taking oath as the 15th prime minister of the country at a function to be held in the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan in the evening.

Bachchan, Rajnikanth, Salman and 84-year-old Lata's names reportedly figure on the guest list.

"She has been invited, but she won't be attending the swearing-in ceremony as she cannot travel at this age," sources close to Lata Mangeshkar told PTI.

According to sources, Big B is busy shooting. "He is busy shooting. Don't think he is going," sources said.

Bachchan tweeted about two hours ago that he was going for a shoot.

"Ok... off for the shot, its ready... cannot keep the crew waiting... love to all... see you later in the evening or night or early," the 71-year-old actor tweeted.

Salman, who flew kite with Modi during a festival in Ahmedabad for promotion of his film 'Jai Ho' earlier this year, may also not attend the ceremony.

Salman's writer father Salim Khan is likely to fill in for his son, sources said.

Among the Bollywood personalities who will be attending the ceremony are Kher, Oberoi and Madhur Bhandarkar.

Actress Rekha and cricketing great Sachin Tendulkar from Mumbai have been invited for the function in their capacity as members of Rajya Sabha.

The BJP has a galaxy of film stars like Hema Malini, Paresh Rawal, Shatrughan Sinha, Vinod Khanna, Kirron Kher and Smriti Irani as members of the party, who will be there.

Actor Vivek Oberoi underscored the general mood in his tweet, saying "On my way to delhi! Atmosphere even in the aircraft is electric! Everyone is buzzing about the swearing in! I feel honoured and privileged to be invited to witness history in the making! Today will be a golden day to remember!," he said.

Anupam Kher said in his tweet: "On my way to Delhi. Looking forward to the beginning of a new era. Jai Ho."

His son Sikandar said: "On my way to Delhi to watch history being made... Travelling with dad after ages."

BJP MP and Bollywood 'dreamgirl' Hema Malini said: "Good afternoon! Going to Delhi now to participate in the celebrations! May not be able to talk to you through the day! It's going to be a busy day. Of course I carry with me all your good wishes to Modiji for a successful and fruitful 5 years of good governance!"

Bhandarkar said, "Delhi beckons! Feel privileged, honoured and proud that I'll be able to witness in person the historic moment of swearing-in of Modiji today."