Big B turns 70

MUMBAI:

The Indian film industry’s biggest stars like Dilip Kumar, Yash Chopra, Shahrukh Khan to southern superstar Rajinikanth to high profile politicians like Praful Patel, flocked to the big bash organised on Wednesday to usher in the living legend Amitabh Bachchan’s 70th birthday.

The red carpet was rolled out for as many as 800 guests at the Reliance Media Work, Film City, Goregaon.

Bachchan, dressed in a black velvet outfit, came with his family — wife Jaya Bachchan, son Abhishek, daughter Shweta and daughter-in-law Aishwarya Rai — and he too walked the red carpet with a live orchestra playing hit numbers from his films.

Big B, who turned 70 on Thursday, told media, “Thanks for coming”, while Aishwarya, flaunting a cream long dress with golden detailed work all over, told reporters, “We are so happy that we are all here today celebrating his birthday. Thank you so much.”

Yesteryear veterans like Hema Malini, Saira Banu, Waheeda Rehman, Vinod Khanna, Prem Chopra, Kader Khan, Pran, Zeenat Aman, Jeetendra and Asha Parekh came to wish Big B, his co-star of many films like Deewar Shashi Kumar was wheeled in to join the revelries.

Aishwarya and Abhishek played the perfect hosts and escorted 89-year old legend Dilip Kumar inside the venue.

Big B’s one time competitor Vinod Khanna, who rarely speaks to the media, was in a generous mood and said: “I wish him all the happiness and good luck.”

Shabana Azmi called him an “iconic figure” and added: “I got an opportunity to work with him. He is my favourite.”

Madhuri wished him all the “happiness and success”, while Juhi Chawla said: “I respect him, admire him and I had a great time working with him.”

Published in The Express Tribune, October 12^th, 2012.

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