Most of the times, the company seniors or HR guys are not even called. Background check doesn't just consist of employer calling but many other things like profile checking from websites like facebook and linkedin, casual checks done by Third party with job consultants who know hierarchy and employee lists of most companies, etc.
It is easier to get this info for reputed companies rather than smaller companies. Employer check is done only in extreme cases, where VO is still not convinced.
As I said, there are exceptions. And in the current scenario, most of the guys are waiting for MR. not just MNC guys. This is not because background check is taking time, but because it hasn't been initiated yet, due to the heavy load on VO.
If you want the best test, check for time taken for MR request after 2nd line update. (2nd line is updated just after background check is initiated.) In case of reputed companies, this time will be short.
Also the MNC guys whose MR is pending since long as per you, must have not yet got their 2nd line updated, which means background check isn't yet initiated. Tell me if I am wrong.
