Abhishek Bachchan's magnanimous gift

Apoorva Lakhia

Apoorva Lakhia and Abhishek Bachchan have known each other for more than four years, and their male bonding is at an all-time high. Lakhia never ceases to be surprised by AB Junior's affection and warmth. Recently, Apoorva was shocked when Abhishek gifted his assistant director with a video camera.

Surprise, surprise!

Says Lakhia, "It was out of the blue. Abhishek found out that my first AD, Shawn Arana, who has worked with me in Mumbai Se Aaya Mera Dost and Ek Ajnabee, was making a short film for Sahara he gave him a beautiful video camera as a gift. But then, it's not really surprising; Abhishek surprises me with little things everyday.

He's not just my best buddy, but is like my brother. Contrary to perception, he's not arrogant at all, and always returns phone calls or messages. We might not talk for days, but when we catch up, it's like the gap was never there."

Abhishek Bachchan

So how long does their dosti go back? "Four years. I got to know him on the sets of Mumbai Se Aaya Mera Dost. Mr Bachchan is like my guardian angel and Jayaji is like family to me.

Success has not changed Abhishek at all. In fact, he's become more mature and sensible. He's grown up. Abhishek has faced the bouquets and the brickbats. Today, he's just enjoying the success he's worked hard for."

They have their boys' nights out, says Lakhia, "where we don't talk about films at all.

There's Abhishek, Goldie (Behl), Siku (Sikander Kher) and some more of us who just meet up and talk only boy stuff. I couldn't work with Abhishek in Ek Ajnabee and I felt very bad. We used to joke then, that we would always work together.

This time, when I was putting together Shootout At Lokhandwala, I narrated the role to him, and he immediately agreed. It's an ensemble film — like Crash —so everyone has a great role to play."

Lakhia adds that Abhishek was excited about acting in the film, which is based on the real life six-hour shootout in Lokhandwala, in 1991. "There are various sub-plots, and we will be interspersing footage of the incident taken by various TV channels, with the film's scenes."

Is Amitabh Bachchan in the film, too? "He hasn't confirmed yet. I have narrated another role to him and he liked his character, but we haven't had the chance to speak again."

'Abhi's a gentleman'

As a friend, how well does he know Abhishek? Does his reputation as a skirt-chaser mirror the truth? "That's not true at all. These are people just spreading rumours. I know Abhishek. He's a gentleman who will be the first to open the door for a lady, and not let a girl go out alone.

He respects women, especially his mom and sister (Shweta) too much to treat them badly. Abhishek is a family boy and a real sweetheart. If he has gone into a shell today, it must be because of these rumours. I get angry when I read such nonsense about him."