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Amitabh Bachchan and son Abhishek were in full form recently. Father and son were shooting on adjacent sets, and unit members had a great time watching the two fool around.

Big B was shooting for his film, Bhootnath, when son Abhishek Bachchan, who was shooting for an ad next door, dropped in on the sets. In fact, the two kept paying each other mini-visits, sharing jokes and generally having fun. During one such break, Big B went to Abhishek’s sets to see him perform when the director sent an assistant to call Big B for a shot. The poor assistant didn’t realise that Abhishek’s shot was on and he simply walked across to call Big B, coming in the way of Abhishek and the camera.

Says a source , “Abhishek was at his jovial best, and declared in front of all that since the assistant had spoilt his shot, he too would go to the sets of Bhootnath to spoil their shot. And, he did actually go over to Big B’s sets during his break. What followed next was hilarious. Abhishek got into Big B’s costumes and got hold of the script. Next, he asked for the cameras to start rolling and started saying Big B’s dialogues from the script. The entire crew was in splits as they watched Abhishek. Even Big B was amused. He turned to the director and said, ‘Oh, You have got a new actor in my place, I should take your leave now.’”

When contacted, director of Bhootnath, Vivek Sharma, confirmed the incident, saying, “Abhishek did drop by on the sets frequently as he was shooting just next door. It was a great experience to watch the great rapport that the father and son share. And yes, Abhishek’s antics did have us all in splits.”

If sources are to be believed, Abhishek Bachchan has been hitting the gym with a vengeance. Post his extended honeymoon, AB junior now wants to look better. The actor wants to shed 15 kilos and embrace a healthier lifestyle, inform his close friends. Apparently, he is already being careful about his food habits. Our source from the sets of Drona says, “Abhishek, who has always been a big foodie has been keeping a watch on what he eats.”

This new development comes in the wake of Shah Rukh Khan sporting an awesome sixpack abs, which he has been flashing onscreen for Farah Khan’s Om Shanti Om. An industry insider reveals, “Shah Rukh’s in his new body beautiful avatar has prompted everybody in Bollywood to get into shape.” Abhishek however, cannot be blamed entirely for his lagging fitness. The actor had to put on excess weight for the character of Gurukant Desai in Mani Ratnam’s Guru. Immediately afterwards, he got busy with his wedding preparations followed by the celebrations.

Of late, the actor has been complaining about his body and that is when a friend of his recommended him to join a gym and follow a diet. Another source from the sets of Drona informs, “Abhishek’s fat hasn’t been a problem. He has just shot an action sequence for us and he has done a superb job.”

There’s no doubt that Lagaa Chunri Mein Daag, is one of the most-awaited films of this year for various reasons. One, after the huge success of Chak De India, it’s the next film from Yash Chopra’s camp. Second, this film will bring together one of the hottest on-screen pair after, Bunty Aur Babli. Not only do Abhishek Bachchan and Rani Mukherjee make a great sizzling couple on screen, but the duo were also touted as the next couple in tinselville, till Abhishek tied the knot with Aishwarya Rai. Part of this film, was shot after Abhi’s wedding and it will be good to see whether the screen chemistry between them is still as strong. And third, of course, is the director himself, Pradeep Sarkar, who has earlier made the much-acclaimed Parineeta. The film has been shot in Varanasi and also stars Konkona Sen Sharma, Kunal Kapoor amongst others.

Even before Drona nears completion, a series on the film is already in the pipeline. Abhishek Bachchan has been in discussion with the producers and director of the film on how the first part of the series will end, giving enough scope for the director to plan a sequel. According to an industry source, “Abhishek Bachchan is involved with the film not only as an actor but he is also giving creative inputs on the story of the film. He has already made plans on making a series on Drona, just like Krrish.”

Abhishek Bachchan will be devoting the next three months (September to November) shooting for the film. Said the source, “He has put everything else on hold and will only be concentrating on Drona. The shooting was stalled due to untimely rains in Rajasthan and the Gujjar riots which resulted in cancellation of trains through the state. Besides, Abhishek Bachchan took a break from the shootings a few weeks before and after his marriage. They might have to reshoot some portions of the film.”

Drona is a very special film for the Bachchans. Amitabh Bachchan too has been taking keen interest on the making of the film. “They have seen the portion that has been shot, which was not very impressive. They want the best creative people to be involved in the film’s special effects. They want it to look even bigger and better than Krrish and Dhoom 2,” our source said.

Hollywood’s best special effects man, Charles Darby, has been called on board to help Drona look even better than Krrish and Dhoom 2 . Informs a company source, “Eros International has signed Charles Darby, the man who has done the special effects of all top Hollywood films including the Harry Potter series.” Charles Darby, known for his matte painting in digital format, has provided special effects for Titanic, Fifth Element, Minority Report and Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon.

Drona will not only be competing with Dhoom 2 and Krrish in terms of special effects, but also is likely to beat them with a budget of not less than Rs 55 crore.

They may have the most hectic schedules lined up, but where a social cause is concerned, Aishwarya and Abhishek Bachchan are all for it. And if the ‘good deed’ entails pairing up with their poet and painter cousin Namrita Bachchan, then there’s no stopping them! No wonder then, the Bachchans had a whale of a time as they painted a canvas as part of a charity initiative being organised by the NGO Khushii.

Abhishek, for one, was glad he could team up with Namrita. “Any amount of time you spend with Nam tu is always wonderful, not to mention an educational experience and this was no different.” Aishwarya concurs, “This was super fun. I was supposed to paint alongside another artist but since this is with one’s family, it’s truly a cherish able experience. It just feels so right to have done this together - all our hearts beating for one cause, the larger picture.”

Perfectionist Namrita admits that this being her first group effort, she had to mentally ready herself. “But I knew that this wouldn’t just be my painting alone; it would be ‘our’ painting,” notes Namrita, adding that she always wanted the two (Ash-Abhi) to be directly involved with the painting as opposed to a cosmetic collaboration. “In fact, I have named this painting after the song ‘One Love’ that Abhishek sang in the movie ‘Rakht’. Also, Aishwarya and Abhishek have put in their combined efforts for this painting and hence the name, ‘Two Hearts: One Love’,” she explains.

She is also quick to emphasize that it would be unfair to judge the superstars’ painting skills and decide who is better of the two. “Both are amateurs, but they have taken their time out for a noble cause. Their skills with the brush shouldn’t really come under scrutiny,” she signs off.

Abhishek Bachchan was to the movies born - his illustrious parents Amitabh and Jaya Bachchan being prolific actors themselves. But he didn’t just arrive on the scene with a big bang like one expected him to. He was met with a lot of criticism for his weight, body language, dancing skills or lack of them and of course, innumerable comparisons with his legendary father. But he took it in his stride and put up all the review cuttings on his board at home and improved on each and every one of his negative points. The result: Guru in early 2007. A smash hit in which he was lauded for his performance like never before. The star son was finally recognised as an actor. Even as he modestly states, he’s “busy trying to be an actor”. The 31-year-old actor is currently playing the role of husband to the most beautiful woman in the world, Aishwarya Rai, who he married on April 20 earlier this year. After a frenzied walk on the Cannes red carpet right after their nuptials, followed by a holiday in France, the golden couple of Indian cinema have since returned to their shooting schedules of their various films.

Do you think you have reached a stage where scripts are being written for you?
Indian cinema has changed. The scripts are written first and then actors are cast accordingly as films today are bigger than any single actors. And we all work towards the collective good of the film. That’s the way things are in the industry right now.

What’s the biggest advantage being your father’s son and possibly the biggest disadvantage?
There are no disadvantages in being my father’s son. And the advantage is that I have the most loving, caring and best parent in the world.

Your sex appeal has fans screaming for more. But your dad scores higher on the sex appeal scales. How does it feel to be less sexier than your dad?
I subscribe to the fact and I know it. Pa is sexier than me and we laugh about it. But last year, a British magazine voted me the sexiest man and my father was 16th on that list!

You are a ready wit and have fun whilst working on set. Do you think you get away with stuff ‘cos of who you are?
You can only get away with things if you are badly behaved and I don’t think I am badly behaved. I only share my sense of humour with close friends and family.

Are you punctual by nature and a stickler for time?
Yes, I am since I was taught from a very young age that if you don’t respect time, time won’t respect you.

What turns you on?
A good movie. Seriously.

What do you love about Aishwarya the most?
So many things… she’s very human and unaffected and very down-to-earth. Ash is a simple little girl and that’s very endearing. And she’s always smiling.

When are you both planning to have kids?
Kids shouldn’t be planned. They should just happen.

Given your father, Ash and you share the same initials - AB barring your mom Jaya, do you think you may name your child with the alphabet A too?
That’s actually a cool idea. I don’t really know though.

Is there any one way Aishwarya has changed you?
She tries to make me eat health food as she knows I have very bad habits.

How does it feel to be married?
It feels wonderful. I’m back to work. Nothing has changed drastically. But it’s a wonderful feeling to be married to one’s best friend

I thought you dad was your best friend?
Can’t I have two best friends? I’m a very friendly person.

Is it possible to be best friends with your wife?
I don’t know about others. But I am. I guess I’m lucky.

Do you feel heavier?
Is that a comment on my weight?

Ha ha you’re looking scrawny almost like Kunal Kapoor…
I’ll take that as a compliment. I’m currently shooting with him. So maybe his weight has rubbed off on me….Kunal is someone I know from my childhood. He’s part of the Juhu group. We’ve all grown up together.

Okay now about your wedding…it was easily the most talked-about event one has come across as a journalist
Was it? I was so much in the thick of the wedding and its preparations that I wasn’t really paying any attention to what was happening outside. Admittedly the whole process of getting married and the rituals were unique to me. I couldn’t be looking at what was happening in the big wide world. We were part of something that was very private precious and personal.

But you couldn’t be impervious to the constant attention that the wedding attracted across the world?
I was! I got to know about it only after the wedding. Obviously we knew my wedding would attract some amount of attention. But this? We aren’t that important.

Obviously the media didn’t think so…
It was their choice to cover the wedding so extensively. If they thought my wedding needed to be covered so extensively, I respect that. I’ve always said the media is the conscience of the nation. So why not let them do their job?

Some of the attention was excessive and offensive
If you allowed untoward incidents to take away from the happiness of the moment, then you’re weak and you don’t deserve that happiness. You should know your priorities. If lies were propagated - and there were many - we didn’t allow them to impinge on our moment of happiness.

Some of your close friends thought there was no need for so much secrecy about your marriage
I don’t think we were being secretive. We were just keeping my wedding private. I think we had the right to do that. People seem to forget my family decided to keep my wedding a small affair because I’ve an ailing grandmother in the hospital. Would I’ve called everyone if I could? Of course? Why wouldn’t I want all my friends in my moment of happiness? There are lots of people in the industry whom I owe a lot to. And I’d have wanted them all to be there for us. Even without being present physically, they showered their blessings on us. I can’t complain. If some people think our conduct wasn’t good enough I’m very sorry, there’s nothing I can do about it.

The past months have been a whirlwind for you…
I look back very fondly on the entire experience.

How does it feel to have an extra member in the household?
Aishwarya fits in wonderfully. The house starts glowing when she’s around and things look dull when she’s out. My parents are just so happy to have another daughter-figure in the house.

Two months after he got married to one of the most beautiful women in the world, life hasn’t changed much for Bachchan scion Abhishek. Back from his honeymoon, from Cannes and Yorkshire, and looking like the cat that got the cream, he smirked and told BT in his first interview since Aishwarya became his wife, “It’s too early to feel the change. Give me some time. It’s not like she is waiting for me when I get back home… Ash is working too, you know.”

He was shooting for Laaga Chunri Mein Daag at a suburban studio and took a short break to talk. “Things around me may have changed, but I am the same old Abhishek, a Boston student once, now an actor just married. It’s no big deal.” Happy to get back, he was nervous and excited about the reviews of Jhoom Barabar Jhoom - his first release post marriage and his fifth with his father. Bollywood fans are notorious for rejecting their hot and favourite idols once the latter get married, and if Abhishek anticipates such a change in his image, he was not showing it. “That’s people’s perception of me. Fair enough. But the circumstances around me should not matter as long as I do good work,” he said dismissively.

Being Bachchan’s son in Bollywood must not be easy, but Abhishek carries the family name comfortably on his broad shoulders. “Dad treated me like a friend since I was a kid, he never imposed anything on me or my sister, never raised his voice or his hand on us. He’s an indulgent father, and I am his moral support, we have shared good and bad times together,” he said fondly. “I learned everything from dad. My parents endured and sacrificed so much for me, so every day I strive to make them proud.”

And now there’s Ash… adding glitter to the gold of the Bachchan brand. He frowned, “God has blessed me with everything. As far as the Bachchan name goes, I have inherited it, and we don’t attach any monetary value to it.” But, yes, the father, son and daughter-inlaw plan to cash in on their new popularity. A world show is slated for next year. And there’s Ram Gopal Varma’s Sarkar 2 coming up. Now he smiles, “I’m looking forward to working with my wife. She is a wonderful co-star. But whether she will get us a dabba of home-cooked food, and whether the sets will resemble our home, you’ve got to ask Ash.”

“I believe that my daddy is perfect,” said Abhishek Bachchan of father Amitabh, in a special message for Father’s Day today. Amitabh is in London, being honoured by BAFTA, and Abhishek in Mumbai, working on his next film. Yet, they will find time to bond. Like millions of fans across the world, Abhishek is swept up by the Big B mania as well. He believes that the phenomenon is only growing with time. He worships the Big B - as an actor, a co-star, a human being, a style icon, a show stealer, and most importantly as a father. “I give him 100 out of 100. His grace, dignity, humility are exemplary. I believe he is perfect. He is not just my idol, but my ideal as well. I wish I grow up like him. Even at this age, he exudes an enthusiasm, an energy and willingness to learn. And it’s great to see him not just passionately working at this age, but having fun too.”

You can’t escape Abhishek Bachchan. He’s everywhere, literally more so now because he is said to be dating Aishwarya Rai. So, is Abhishek in love? “Yes, I am…” he says with a pause and adds, “with my work!” And what about his alleged liasion with Ash? “This question is best answered by the media. I really don’t have an answer to that.” Is he then implying that he’s single? “Yes,” he says.

Abhishek turned 30 this year in February and is touted by one and all as one of the most eligible bachelors around. “I don’t much care about talks that I am an eligible bachelor. I just like to be left alone to do my work. As of now, I am very happy with my work and the thought of marriage hasn’t crossed my mind. But I would love to be married someday. I also love kids. My sister’s kids Navya and Agastya are the two best things in my life ever! Though I wish I could spend more time with them,” he says. Given that his next release, Kabhie Alvida Naa Kehna is a film about extramarital relationships, what would he do if he were ever in a real life scenario like that? “No, never! I don’t believe in extramaritals. I believe marriage is for good - full and final - and if you want to cheat on your wife, then just don’t get married,” he says determinedly. Real life aside, is Abhishek game for a French kiss on screen? “Yeah, sure!” And who would the chosen co-star be? “Whoever is working with me on the film.” And what if his co-star has bad breath? “There’s nothing I can do about it. I am a professional and I’ll go ahead and do my job,” he laughs.

Professionally, how much has he improved in the last six years since his debut? “I am improving on a daily basis and if people don’t think so, then I must be hopeless in whatever I do!” he smiles. “But this is just the beginning, there is a hard journey ahead and I am looking forward to taking it. I hope I can make my parents proud,” he says.

Abhishek considers his parents Amitabh and Jaya Bachchan to be the finest actors. So what is that one trait that he has taken from his parents? “I’d like to believe that I have got more than one quality from them. I have imbibed a sense of perseverance, dedication and ‘never give in’ attitude from my father. And my mother’s temper!” Does he lose his head often? “No, not a lot. I am a very fun loving guy,” he says.

In spite of his affable and fun self, Abhishek is always seen wearing dark colours, so much so that it seems like there is no other colour in his life apart from black, brown and grey. “It’s just that I like to dress appropriately for the occasion. I obviously won’t wear jeans to a formal do, but I’ll keep what you have said in mind,” he says.