There's a strange link between me and the Big B on his vulnerable days. On the morning in Delhi when he was hospitalized in December 2005 he was on the phone talking to me as if everything was normal.

Later Abhishek told me the Big B was speaking to me from the hospital while undergoing innumerable tests. Earlier this week the Big B was again at his normal best, talking as if nothing had happened.

He had hurt himself doing an action scene for the arabesque fantasy Alladin and was in excruciating pain.

At first he tried to brush it off. But was persuaded to go to the hospital for tests. He has been advised rest. But does the Big B ever listen?