/> There are strange and thoroughly uncharitable stories about Mr Bachchan being bandied by guttersnipe snoopers.

According to a source-based slander-story Mr Bachchan made huge demands on the producers of Rituparno Ghosh's English-language film The Last Lear, and even "threatened" not to shoot for the film until he was given the Presidential Suite at a particular luxury hotel in Kolkata.

However the fact is, the presidential suite of the hotel is occupied by the film's leading lady Preity Zinta and not the Big B.

Explains a horrified associate of the Big B, "Of course Mr Bachchan was to be put up in the Presidential suite. He doesn't need to throw a tantrum for that. It is his by right. However when he reached Kolkata for the shoot the presidential suite was occupied by someone else.

Without the least fuss Mr Bachchan quietly took an ordinary suite with an interconnecting room for his valet Pravin who needs to be with him to give his food medicines and so on , on time. And his makeup man is not staying at the same hotel. He's been put up in a much less expensive hotel."

The presidential suite is now occupied by Preity Zinta. "She arrived in Kolkata on Wednesday for her second schedule. By then the presidential suite was vacant , and we asked Mr Bachchan if he'd like to move into it. He said he was comfortable where he was , so Preity is now occupying the presidential suite."

Director Rituparno Ghosh neck-deep in work is horrified at the false story about AB's alleged demands. "Far from making demands Amitda is the epitome of co-operation. I've never seen such fierce dedication and passion in anyone. I wish every actor in this country would learn the meaning of commitment and dedication from him. After The Last Lear I want to make at least a dozen films with him."