Stars, they say, never die. They fade away. But can we say that about the one and only Amitabh Bachchan? No matter what he does, where he turns up and what he says, the media hangs on to every word he says, every gesture he makes, every public moment he delivers.

So, when word spread in Delhi that the Big B, taking time off from his hectic election campaign schedule, was due to arrive at Doordarshan Bhawan in the heart of Capital on Thursday evening to cough up the principal amount Rs 20 crore that he owes the national broadcaster, all hell broke loose. Print and television media personnel laid siege to the Mandi House entrance and waited with bated breath for Bachchan`s car to emerge. The moment he did, they converged around the vehicle and shot questions at a rather relieved looking actor. He fielded the volleys with characteristic aplomb.

It was not difficult to see why Amitabh Bachchan is such a phenomenon. Everything about him - including his friends - is just right. He is close to the Gandhi family and he is chummy with Amar Singh, too. In case you are not aware, it is the Samajwadi Party leader who has brokered the Doordarshan-Bachchan deal that has bailed the star`s company out of trouble. It, indeed, pays to get your lines right - everywhere, every time!