As actor Abhishek Bachchan turned 36 today, his Bollywood pals wish him all the happiness and good luck on his birthday. Reportedly, Abhishek would celebrate his birthday with his wife Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and their newly born ‘Beti B’, as their daughter is fondly called.

“It’s @juniorbachchan’s birthday!! AB-H-I-to the-Shake it, may you have a superlative year, and every joy and happiness imaginable! Big love!,” music composer-singer Vishal Dadlani wrote on twitter. Actress Sonam Kapoor said, “Happy birthday @juniorbachchan! You by far the nicest coolest person I know.”

“Wishing my elder brother @juniorbachchan a very happy birthday. Lots of love to you bro,” Neil Nitin Mukesh tweeted. Actress Bipasha Basu said, “Happy Happy Birthday @juniorbachchan! Love and Hugs from Bippy.”

“Happy Birthday to the coolest co-star ever @juniorbachchan. Have a superb year chief!! Be susegaad,” actor Rana Daggubati said. Music composer-singer Aadesh Shrivastava said, “Janam din ki shubhkamnayen bhaiya. god bless u with all happiness.”

“@juniorbachchan wishing you the ??? of all birthdays- have a great one,” director Rohan Sippy said. “Wishing my friend @juniorbachchan a very very happy birthday!!! Big n tall hug to you jiggerypoo!!,” ‘Dostana’ director Tarun Mansukhani said.

This week, Abhishek was honoured with the Green Globe Award for an “outstanding contribution by a celebrity to fight climate change” during the Delhi Sustainable Development Summit. His first release of this year was Abbas-Mustan’s Players. Despite a stellar star cast and extensive promotions, the film failed to create much impact. His upcoming release this year is Bol Bachchan, a comedy directed by Rohit Shetty, featuring Ajay Devgn, Asin, Abhishek and Prachi Desai. The film is expected to release in July and is said to be inspired by the 1979 comic flick,
Golmaal.

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Abhishek Bachchan has been signed up by Madhya Pradesh Tourism as brand ambassador, Amitabh Bachchan embarked on the second round of shooting for promoting Gujarat state as a tourist destination. In between flying kites and shooting for the ad films, Bachchan, as we can tell you, took time off for some quiet, private moments.

At the holy Bindu Sarovar, in Siddhpur, the actor offered tarpan for his mother Teji Bachchan, who passed away in December, 2007. It is said that the Bindu Sarovar is the only place where one can perform rituals for departed mothers and Bachchan did not wish to miss the opportunity to do so. In a poignant message to his fans, he said, "...will pray for 'atma shanti' for my Mother."

And for the benefit of those who do not quite follow the rituals, he said, "For those that do not understand, 'Shraadh' is special prayer ceremony for the peace and well being of departed soul!!" This diarist hopes he found what is soul was searching for.

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Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan, who is the brand ambassador of Gujarat Tourism, today arrived in the city for the second phase shooting of tourism campaign- `Khushbu Gujarat Ki`. The megastar was accorded a rousing welcome on his visit to `Khadia ni Pol`, an old locality in the city, where he joined the crowds in kite flying from the rooftop of a house, which was part of the shooting campaign.

Amitabh was greeted by his fans, camping on the rooftops of the series of houses at Pol since early morning to have his glimpse of the superstar. It was virtually a festival mood in the locality. "Today, we have a very special guest at our Pol. It is like a dream come true, and this occasion is very special for all of us," a resident of Khadia ni Pol said.

Later in the day, Bachchan inaugurated a comprehensive cancer care unit at a local private hospital here. "I have never gone overseas for treatment, no matter how serious an illness struck me, because, I have always trusted the doctors in my country," Bachchan said while addressing the gathering at the hospital. "I think people should trust their countrymen more, and more hospitals should be opened to provide affordable treatment to the needy," he said.

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Often when I think of an actor or a specific movie, an iconic visual -- poster or pose -- pops up in front of my eyes. Not when I think of Amitabh Bachchan though. The mere mention of Indian cinema's greatest entertainer conjures up too many movies, too many memories; it's like a giant montage of overlapping images.

Amidst a flurry of Jai, Anthony and Sukumars, there's an entire row of his best-known Vijays. The taxonomy doesn't end here. Even among the latter, while not as distinguished as the Vijays of Zanjeer, Deewar or Trishul, is Agneepath's Vijay Dinanath Chavan. (It's Chavan, not Chauhan. There's much confusion over the spelling since it's pronounced as Chauhan throughout the film. Agneepath's end credits, I note, leave no room for speculation.)

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After the bitter payment- related issues of Bbuddah Hoga Terra Baap, director Puri Jagannath has resolved to stay away from Amitabh Bachchan’s production house, which co-produced the film. However, Big B doesn’t appreciate the distance and is wooing the ace director in an attempt to boost Abhishek’s career.

Puri had declared that he was a big fan of the legendary actor and the film was a tribute to his charisma and decades of stardom. He said that he immensely enjoyed working with the superstar. “It was a dream come true for him and he had a pleasant working experience with Amitabh Sir,” said a source close to the director. However, Puri was annoyed with the production team and the way in which they mishandled payment issues. Reportedly, they didn’t pay him a few instalments, leaving him sorely disappointed.

“He didn’t even bother to demand a huge remuneration and wrapped up the film at break-neck speed, winning praises from Amitabh for his command over film-making. After the film’s release however, his dues weren’t paid as promised,” added the source. This folly by the production house has cost the Bachchans dearly, as Puri is now looking out for other B-town stars for the Hindi remake of his Telugu hit film, Businessman.

Earlier, he had a couple of meetings with Abhishek Bachchan and was about to commence shooting, but he has since dropped those plans. “The Bachchans are sending out feelers to join hands with him, but the director is not game for it,” the source added. The director wants to remake the film with a new producer once the casting is finalised. Although Puri has high regard for Amitabh the actor, he doesn’t want to work with Amitabh’s production house again.

Unless Amitabh personally takes up the matter and promises to meet all commitments, Puri may not budge and is likely to chart his own course. With Abhishek’s career steadily going downhill, Bachchan Sr. may soon have step in and bring the miffed director on board. Puri is, in fact, known to be a kind-hearted filmmaker unlike his peers, and has never even demanded the dues owed to him by some Telugu producers. If Amitabh is able to use his charm, then Puri could succumb. Let’s wait and watch what happens.

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Buzz doing the rounds in B-Town is that Kolaveri Di singer-actor Dhanush’s wife and filmmaker Aishwarya is all set to direct actor Abhishek Bachchan in her first Hindi film. If sources are to be believed, Abhishek has apparently met Aishwarya to discuss a future project.

It’s pretty well-known that Abhishek loved Dhanush’s song Kolaveri Di from her film 3 Moondru and has been raving about the song and Dhanush to everyone. The actor even defended the popular song and when slammed by critics for its lyrics.

Though he previously denied that there is any collaboration with Dhanush, the actor is apparently ready to make a film with the actor’s wife and superstar Rajinikanth’s daughter. A source tells us, “Abhishek loves the song Kolaveri Di. And now he wants to feature the song in a film of his. So he met and spoke with Aishwarya and laid down his condition to include the popular song Kolaveri Di in the film.”

The source also informs us that as soon as Aishwarya finishes shooting the Tamil film 3, she will straight come down to Mumbai to figure out the details and will start working on her maiden Hindi project.

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Television talk show host Oprah Winfrey has come to visit Bollywood stars Abhishek and Aishwarya Bachchan. Winfrey’s new show “Next Chapter” is being in India and around the world. The show explores Winfrey’s journey as she travels and interviews celebrities and notable individuals. “She has been respectful and loving to both of us,” said Abhishek.

Amitabh Bachchan tweeted: “The gracious Oprah Winfrey visits our home, to meet us and bless the baby … warm hearted, endearing … drive her to party in her honor.”Aishwarya first appeared on “The Oprah Winfrey Show” in 2005 followed by an appearance from Abhishek in 2009.

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While his father, megastar Amitabh Bachchan is Gujarat's brand ambassador, actor Abhishek Bachchan could soon be seen promoting Madhya Pradesh, officials said Thursday. A.K. Bhattacharya, CEO of Eco Tourism Board, said: "Yes, we have sent a proposal to him, and waiting for his response."

The junior Bachchan has a maternal link to Bhopal as Jaya Bachchan's parents live in the City of Lakes. Jaya's father, Tarun Bhaduri, was a journalist in Madhya Pradesh. Sources said the proposal sent to Abhishek by Madhya Pradesh government was through Jaya.

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Boxing legend Muhammad Ali, who turned 70 on Tuesday, has an ardent fan in actor Abhishek Bachchan who calls him a true inspiration. "Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee!! #happybirthdayAli. Muhammad Ali. The greatest! My father introduced me to this giant in sports when I was a child. A true inspiration," Abhishek tweeted.

Apparently, Bachchan is in awe of the legend, not just because he was a great boxer and sportsman, but because he taught the world how to believe in what you stand for. "Had the courage to give up everything to do what he thought was right. And most importantly ... taught me that you're never too late or too old to make a comeback!!".

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On the ninth death anniversary of legandary poet Dr.Harivansh Rai Bachchan, his son, Amitabh Bachahan Share share his thoughts on Twitter . The actor who owes all his succes to his father tweets, "Harivansh Rai Bachchan, my Father ... his death anniversary today 18th Jan".

Emotional Amitabh Bachchan further tweets, "I stand silently at the entrance to his room in Prateeksha and look at the space he breathed his last .. !!". Megastar remembers the time he had spent with his father, "I spent more than 60 years of my life with him, a friend consoles me as I lament his loss, many do not get so much time with loved ones." Harivansh Rai Bachchan was a noted Hindi poet of early 20th and is best known for his early work Madhushala. But in 2003, he died of respiratory problems at the ripe age of 96.

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