Nearly two decades after playing of the national anthem was discontinued in theatres in Maharashtra, the state government on Wednesday decided to reintroduce the practice in Mumbai from January 26.

Deputy Chief Minister Chhagan Bhujbal approved the demand made by the National Youth Congress to play the national anthem in 150 theatres after screening of movies, NYC president Narendra Verma said.

The NYC had started the campaign a few months ago and obtained a master copy of the Naval Band's rendition of the tune with visuals of film stars holding the tricolour, he said.

Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Suniel Shetty, Jackie Shroff, Hrithik Roshan, Rani Mukherjee and painter M F Hussain are among the celebrities who will feature in the video, he added.

Rajya Sabha member and Samajwadi Party president Abu Aseem Azmi described the move as a 'political stunt'. "The NCP is trying to capitalise on its vote bank and there is nothing patriotic about it," he said.