BOLLYWOOD waits with bated breath for the return of Amitabh Bachchan as the 66-year-old actor recuperates in a Mumbai hospital, with at least three film projects put on hold. Bachchan was admitted to the city's Lilavati hospital on Saturday after complaining of abdominal pain. The actor, India's most recognisable screen name, has three projects in hand -- Sujoy Ghosh's “Alladin”, Leena Yadav's “Teen Patti” and Shoojit Sarkar's “Shoebite”. Of the three, the shooting schedule for “Alladin” has been completed although dubbing work remains. Bachchan was to begin shooting for “Teen Patti” on Sunday but his illness played spoilsport. “How these projects move along depends on how fast he recovers,” trade analyst Amod Mehra said. “But knowing him, I would say he won't take this illness lying down.” Mehra said Bachchan had also committed to other projects, including a film with Ravi Chopra, but they may not be affected as no dates had been allotted to the projects. The Mid-Day reported on Tuesday the shooting schedule of Mani Ratnam's film with Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai has been delayed as the leading pair spent time in hospital with the ailing Bachchan. But film makers are not complaining. “When someone is sick, I don't think it is right to comment on the status of my film,” said “Alladin” director Sujoy Ghosh. “At this point, nothing is more important than his speedy recovery,” the producers of “Teen Patti” said in a statement. On Tuesday, Lilavati hospital spokesman Mohan Rajan said Bachchan was doing well and speaking to family members by his side. “He wants to convey his immense gratitude to his fans for their good wishes,” Rajan said. There was no word on when Bachchan would be discharged or how long it would take to get back to his regular work schedule. The actor underwent surgery for a life-threatening stomach ailment at the same hospital in 2005. Bachchan has acted in over 170 films, famously playing rebels, smugglers and vigilantes in a series of anti-establishment roles in the 1970s and 1980s. He now plays more mature roles, many of which are written for him specifically.
