Bollywood's Bachchan apologises to 'Slumdog' director

Veteran Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan said he has cleared the air with the British director Danny Boyle over his perceived attitude to the Oscar-nominated film "Slumdog Millionaire".

Comments posted on Bachchan's personal website that the movie, about a lowly Mumbai teaboy who wins the popular television gameshow "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?", showed India's "third-world underbelly".

That was interpreted by the Indian media as a slight on Western directors and their perceptions of the country.

Bachchan -- who hosted the gameshow in real life -- has denied he was being critical of Boyle's success.

In a post Wednesday, Bachchan said he spoke to one of the film's stars, Bollywood actor Anil Kapoor, by telephone and took "the opportunity to clear the air on the media twisted comments, wrongly attributed to me, via the blog".

He then spoke to Boyle, who was "gracious and complimentary to me and my work".

"I explain the entire misinterpretation to him and he has a good laugh over it. I extend to him my apologies if this uncalled for misdemeanour has caused him and his film any anguish and grief," he added.

"He understands and acknowledges my calling him," Bachchan wrote.

"Slumdog Millionaire", which won four Golden Globes earlier this month, had its Indian premiere in Mumbai Thursday evening and went on general release across the country in English and in Hindi Friday.

Despite having a British director, producer, writer and studio, India has claimed the film as its own because of its Indian cast, crew and location and is eagerly anticipating next month's Oscars.

It was nominated for 10 Oscars, including best film and best director, while Indian music director A.R. Rahman is up for three awards.