by Subhash K Jha

Shah Rukh Khan's presence at the Drona premiere should surprise no one. Ever since the open squabble with Salman Khan both the Khans have been drawing themselves closer to the Bachchans, trying hard to show their solidarity to the Bachchan family in every way possible.

"And there was no way Shah Rukh was not going to be invited to the Drona premiere. Whether Salman would've come on knowing of Shah Rukh being invited, is irrelevant. Salman was not invited.

He may openly express his fondness for Abhishek. But it's not that easy for anyone to forget his past behaviour with Aishwarya. Also he isn't exactly a chum of Drona's heroine Priyanka Chopra either, " says a source close to the Bachchans.

In fact everyone from the gregarious Karan Johar to the ultra-reclusive Sanjay Leela Bhansali to the hardly-ever-seen Sushmita Sen showed up for this, the most crucial release.

And why not? The Bachchans personally invited all their guests. Aishwarya just back in town after shooting in Peru and France, rang up her friends from her industry and asked them to come. Sadly her parents couldn't come for this important evening because of her father's frail condition.

Nervous and excited, Goldie Behl and his wife Sonali were seen with their little son. "This is his first public appearance. I wouldn't let him miss this for the world, " said Goldie emotionally.

Taking a break from her sari-clad glamour Aishwarya stood next to a tuxedo-sporting husband in a chic blue-green gown. "Good to be unpredictable, no?" she laughed and played the hostess to the hilt.

Laughed Abhishek, "I thought I was dressed to kill. But my wife beat me to it hollow."

While the cast crew and family members associated with the film proceeded to the Mariott for dinner after the premiere, Shah Rukh threw an impromptu Eid party and was heard inviting all his friends at the premiere for a get-together in his home.

Fatigued and tired and suffering from a bad cold on the morning after the premiere Priyanka said, "Shah Rukh did ask me to come home after the premiere. But all the Drona team headed for gupshup and dinner. So naturally I was with them."

Priyanka came to the premiere with her parents. Harman Baweja arrived separately with his family. But no need to jump to conclusions. They were very much together at the premiere, and beyond.

Premiere sidelights: The Big B played the perfect host. He had a word for everyone. He was seen in earnest conversation with author-biographer-filmmaker Nasreen Munni Kabeer.

Sooraj Barjatya who was a renowned recluse until recently has finally started coming out to public places.He not only sat to the end of the film but was also seen chatting up with fellow-directors

Priyanka Chopra wore an audaciously short creation by Gavin and carried it off with great élan. When chatting together she and Aishwarya who was in an elegant cascading gown made a study in contrasts.

Karan Johar was everywhere. Ram Gopal Varma was nowhere to be seen.