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28 March 2024

Private jets, selfies, gifts for Aradhaya: Amitabh Bachchan in Dubai

Indian actor Amitabh Bachchan in Dubai for the premier of 'Bhoothnath Returns', April, 9, 2014. (FACEBOOK)

Published
By Bindu Suresh Rai

It may have been wife Jaya Bachchan’s birthday on April 9, but it was granddaughter Aradhaya – daughter of Abhishek and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan – who walked away with a present during Amitabh’s whirlwind 24 hours in Dubai.

In the city for the world premiere of his film ‘Bhootnath Returns’, Bachchan’s celebrity life and the fan frenzy was caught on camera every step of the way, some by the actor himself during some selfie moments of his trip.

Here are some behind-the-scenes look into the frenzy that saw the Bollywood legend bring this city to a standstill.

Arriving on a private jet

Skipping the chaos of flying commercial, Bachchan descended into the chaos of his Dubai trip aboard a plush private jet after ringing in his wife’s birthday at his Mumbai home, Jalsa, with son Abhishek, daughter-in-law Aishwarya, daughter Shweta and all his grandchildren surrounding them.

Sinking into the caramel-shaded plush interiors in Mumbai, Bachchan posted some images aboard the jet on his official blog, stating: “Into the plane, a quick read, and even quicker nap, then out to face the public.”

Landing three hours later the Executive Flight Services terminal of Dubai Airport, a white Bentley lay in wait on the tarmac for the legendary actor to shuttle him to the horde of fans that lay in wait.

Gift for Aaradhya

Following a special ‘Milk and Cookies’ event where 15 lucky children were to share a snack with Bachchan – that was reduced to a mere photo op – lucky winners were given a chance to meet and greet the legend himself.

One young fan did not come alone.

Posting pictures, Bachchan said on his blog: “And this little beauty, who walked through the crowd to give a gift she had wrapped herself for Aaradhya... insisting that she open it to show me what it was, explaining the contents, putting it back the way it was wrapped and making sure I would give it to the right person...

“A delight to be with kids … they are so simple and yet so vulnerable, yet so, so correct.”

Smile for the cameras

The cameras never stopped.

Bachchan seated on the sofa, hugging a fan, posing with the radio winners, the hotel staff, eating a cookie.

Taking the invasion in his stride, Bachchan, who is an avid blogger and has a strong presence on Twitter, took time out to post some of his own pictures and turn the table on the media and fans present by taking a few selfies along the way.

A few of them have wound up on his blog.

Fan frenzy

Even as banners and screaming fans awaited Bachchan at Grand Cineplex, Wafi at the world premiere of his film, some fans couldn’t control their emotions in the melee.

Things took a turn so much so that a fan broke through the barriers and fell at Bachchan’s feet, refusing to leave even with the bouncers attempting to drag him away. What he wanted were blessings, which Bachchan fulfilled with a level of embarrassment that he mentioned later.

However, not all fans were as physical in their love.

Bachchan posted an image of a fan, holding up a poster he had made, writing: “And this lad, voice challenged, but so keen to be a part of a promise to meet him… these are the emotions which no one can understand or fathom.”

(Pics: https://srbachchan.tumblr.com/)