Amitabh Bachchan criticised sections of the media on X on October 2, accusing them of misrepresenting a prayer he had shared and turning it into a challenge to his opponents. The 83-year-old actor said the interpretation disrespected a religious invocation and distorted his words for publicity.Bachchan also pointed to his 50 million followers and warned that even 10 per cent of them were ready to respond if he gave them a signal.

His remarks came amid heightened security at his Mumbai residence, Jalsa, following a bomb threat.In his first post, Bachchan wrote, “We write a prayer, and the media misuses its words, showing disrespect! So much helplessness?

Now the media is in our hands too. Think about it!

It will hit hard!”In a second post, he referred to the prayer for Krishna Kanhaiya: “Hathi ghoda palki, Jai Kanhaiya Lal ki,” which translates to, “Elephants, horses and palanquins; victory to Kanhaiya Lal.” He alleged that a media organisation had presented the line as a message to his opponents. Quoting the interpretation, he wrote, “Look, Amitabh is challenging his opponents, saying, ‘Bring your elephants and horses — we will fight with our weapons, we won’t be afraid!’”Bachchan said this amounted to a “grave insult” to a “Jai Shri Krishna” invocation while also twisting its words into a challenge directed at unnamed opponents.

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E— Amitabh Bachchan (@SrBachchan) November 1, 2026Addressing media organisations, Bachchan wrote, “Listen up, media folks, with your ears wide open. We have a 50 million-strong follower base.

The day we give the signal, just 10 per cent of them are ready and waiting to strike.”He added that the more his words were distorted and condemned, the greater the capacity of his “Ef” to respond. “It’s just a matter of them speaking up,” he wrote.Bachchan then cited a News18 Hindi headline that read: “Amitabh Bachchan takes a dig at opponents’ threats, vents frustration with cryptic post — ‘Go, bring your elephants and horses’.”Reacting to the headline, he described it as disrespectful to faith, absurd, ridiculous and incongruous. He also referred to the media as the country’s “fifth column”, contrasting it with the four columns that, he said, were traditionally treated with honour and respect.Questioning that honour, Bachchan wrote, “Honour?

Nothing could be more laughable than this.” He said that when he made a mistake, he apologised immediately and tried to make amends, but alleged that such conduct appeared to be treated as a “birthright” by sections of the media.Ending the post, Bachchan said he had been about to describe himself as a victim before deciding against it. “The right to my pain is mine alone — it’s not worthy of you, media,” he wrote, before signing off with, “Good night, my dear E.”Heightened security at JalsaThe comments came as security around Bachchan remained under focus. He continued his customary Sunday meeting with fans at Jalsa despite a recent security scare, but greeted the crowd from behind a transparent bulletproof glass enclosure.Additional security personnel were deployed outside the Mumbai residence following a bomb threat.

His son, Abhishek Bachchan, stood beside him and closely watched the surroundings as his father waved to those gathered outside.The arrangement was different from Bachchan’s regular Sunday appearances, during which he steps out to acknowledge fans outside the bungalow. This time, he greeted them with folded hands and waved from behind the protective enclosure while security personnel monitored the gathering.

Videos and photographs of the interaction later appeared on social media, drawing attention to the bulletproof glass.Mumbai Police had received an email threatening to blow up Jalsa. The email was reportedly sent to a school in the Bandra-Kurla Complex.

Police launched an investigation and strengthened security around the actor’s home. The recent attack on actor Tiger Shroff also added to concerns over celebrity safety.Despite the increased security, Bachchan has continued working.

He is hosting the quiz reality show Kaun Banega Crorepati 18 and was last seen on the big screen in the 2024 Tamil film Vettaiyan, alongside Rajinikanth.- Ends