Amitabh Bachchan brings in a quiet birthday

Mumbai, Oct 11 (IANS) Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachchan, who turns 65 Thursday, brought in his birthday quietly - with his mother in hospital.

Son Abhishek was shooting in Namibia for Goldie Behl's 'Drona' and daughter-in-law Aishwarya was wrapping up the 'Pink Panther' in Boston while wife Jaya was down with a bout of flu. Added to these problems was the constant worry of a critically ill mother.

'He wrapped up his shooting by evening on the eve of his birthday and headed straight to the hospital to be with his mom. That's where he brought in his birthday. Being with his mother gave him an inner strength and tranquillity,' said a close friend of Amitabh.

Bogged down by family, media and legal pressures, the Big B politely refused to do interviews.

'What's there to say? A birthday is like any other day for me. Yes, friends, fans and supporters make it a very special day for me. I accept their good wishes with tremendous humility and gratitude,' Amitabh told IANS.

However, the tranquillity was disturbed when scores of fans and media personnel gathered outside his house. There was chaos when he came out to greet them. The guards tried to control the crowds, failed and then called the police in.