/> In a forthcoming film of his Anupam Kher plays a huge Bachchan fan.

"And throughout the film I keep standing outside his house Jalsa for a glimpse of my idol," explains Anupam. "Finally my character gets to meet his idol at the end of the film. For that we needed Mr Bachchan.

Knowing how busy he is I was hesitant to even approach him. We're family friends. Sikandar is like Abhishek's younger brother. I felt embarrassed asking him to make time in his busy schedule."

However the Big B's presence at the fag-end was imperative to the plot. When the the over-committed star heard about the Anupam's script's requirement he readily agreed.

The sequence was shot at Mehboob Studios on Friday evening.

Explaining the sequence Anupam says, "I'm first kidnapped and then told I'd be taken to George Bush. When I reached the undisclosed place blindfolded I discover it's Mr Bachchan's home.

When I see him I blurt out my long-pentup admiration and that I have been standing outside his house forever. At first Mr Bachchan speaks curtly and tells me, 'You won't stand outside my house anymore.'

When I'm about to leave he whispers, 'From now on you'll come inside and have lunch with me.' It's a beautifully written sequence and Mr Bachchan swam through it," says Anupam.

This is the Big B's third special appearance as himself in the last two years in films where the protagonist hero-worships him. In the Kannada film Amrithdhaare the heroine Ramya loves the Big B more than her husband (Dhyaan). Her wish to meet her idol before she dies is granted.

In Ramji Londonwale Madhavan played an ardent Bachchan fan who is shocked out of his wits when his idol appears before him at the end.

Says the Big B, "Gosh I never thought of these links. Thank God for people who keep track. What can I say about these very special appearances where I play myself? I'm deeply honoured."