The shocking omission of three Bachchan classics — Deewaar, Sholay and Amar Akbar Anthony — from the actor's retrospective film festival being held at the Film Society of Lincoln Centre, New York, has raised several questions about how the superstar's vast repertoire needs to be harnessed for retrospective purposes.

Jaya Bachchan, who went all out to get the best films into this posh presentation, is very upset by the way doors were shut on the face of a festival that's not only important, but also prestigious, for the entire film industry.

A presentation of Amitabh Bachchan's films is being organised by the Lincoln Centre's Film Society from April 8 to 19. Says Mrs Bachchan, "We managed to get Anand, Saudagar, Zanjeer, Abhimaan, Satte Pe Satta, Namak Halaal, Agnipath, Aks, Aankhen, Dev, Khakee and Black. But we couldn't get three of his most important films."

Apparently, the distributor of Amar Akbar Anthony, Rajiv Rai (who also holds the rights of Deewaar), and Ramesh Sippy's nephew Sasha (who owns the rights of Sholay), proved impediments in making the festival complete.

Sighs Jaya, "It's been a Herculean task collecting films for the festival. Most producers have been very kind and generous.

Unfortunately, some of them haven't understood the importance of the retrospective. I had major problems with Amar Akbar Anthony, Deewaar and Sholay. It's such a pity, because these are landmark films of Amitabh. I offered to pay for the print, subtitling, everything.

That's what I did with many of the films. I've promised to preserve them, and not use them for commercial purposes, and every time I take them out of the country I'll inform the producers. I was willing to follow protocol.

Unfortunately, it wasn't enough for some. What can we do? It's a problem we'll face whenever there's a festival of Amitabh Bachchan's films."