On birthday, Amitabh Bachchan hospitalised, under observation

Mumbai, Oct 11 (IANS) Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan, who tunred 66 Saturday, was rushed to the Nanavati Hospital in Mumbai's Vile Parle (West) suburb following abdominal pain and then shifted to the Lilavati Hospital in Bandra where he was under observation.

A spokesman for the Lilavati hospital said Saturday afternoon that the megastar was undergoing various medical tests, but declined to divulge more details. However, unofficial sources indicated he might be required to spend at least a couple of days in hospital.

Bachchan, who was in the midst of his birthday celebrations at his bungalow Pratiksha in Juhu, was rushed to the Nanavati Hospital early Saturday afternoon after complaining of abdominal pain and breathlessness.

Nanavati Hospital medical superintendent A. Hatolkar said he had been brought there as an outpatient by his family physician and underwent a 'preliminary medical examination'. Describing it as a 'routine check-up', Hatolkar declined to reveal details.

From the Nanavati Hospital, barely a kilometre from his Juhu home, Bachchan was taken in a private emergency medical care van to Lilavati Hospital, at Bandra Reclamation area.

Jayant Barve, who has been treating the members of the Bachchan family, is heading a medical team taking care of Big B.

Bachchan had been experiencing abdominal uneasiness since late Friday night, but the actual causes shall be known later.

His wife Jaya, daughter Shweta Nanda, son Abhishek and daughter-in-law Aishwarya accompanied him to the Lilavati Hospital. As news of Amitabh's illness spread, a large crowd gathered outside the hospital to wish him a speedy recovery.

Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh who was here to take part in Bachchan's birthday celebrations called on him later at the hospital.

Many Bollywood stars undergo treatment at the Lilavati hospital and last month the Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama was also admitted there.