Bollywood actor 'stable'
2005-12-01 12:06
Mumbai - Bollywood movie legend Amitabh Bachchan was in intensive care following bowel surgery on Thursday at a Mumbai hospital as fans across India prayed for his speedy return to health.
The 63-year-old star known as the "Big B" was operated on Wednesday for diverticulitis, a bowel disease which involves small bulging pouches on the outside of the colon that can lead to infection and sometimes rupture.
Bachchan, an omnipresent figure in Indian movies and television, was in "stable condition," a hospital statement said. Doctors treating the star said earlier his illness was not life-threatening.
"He will be held in intensive care for three days for observation," said an official at the private hospital who spoke on condition of anonymity. "After the three days, a fresh review of his health will be done."
News of the operation was splashed on front pages of newspapers and was the lead story on television newscasts.
Praying for good health
Bachchan, from the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, is the biggest name among the constellation of stars in Bollywood's prolific film industry and has a vast fan following in the movie-mad nation.
Outside the hospital in Mumbai, India's entertainment hub, fans staged vigils, praying for his recovery.
"I have been standing here for the last three days praying for him. I pray to Allah that he recovers fast," said Rashid Ali, 20, from the northern state of Uttar Pradesh.
"He (Bachchan) is an institution for all people of Uttar Pradesh and he is an icon for all migrants coming to Mumbai to earn their livelihood," Ali said.
It has been more than three decades since the son of a Hindi poet left his job as a freight broker in Kolkata and set off for Mumbai to follow his dream of becoming a movie star.
Elsewhere across the country, fans prayed for his recovery.
Hectic schedule
The star was hospitalised in New Delhi on Monday after complaining of abdominal pains and later released.
But after flying home to Mumbai, he was carried on a stretcher into hospital looking feeble.
Before his surgery, he received a stream of visitors from the entertainment, business and political world.
In 1982, Bachchan almost died after suffering a serious stomach injury while shooting the action film Coolie.
Bachchan, who returned last week from a shoot in New York, has been pursuing a hectic schedule. He is filming at least five movies and has another five in post-production.
Ek Ajnabee or A Stranger, is set for release next week.
- AFP