by Subhash K. Jha
Abhishek Bachchan is fast acquiring the reputation of being a true friend to his friends. Three director-friends Goldie Behl, Apoorva Lakhia and Rohan Sippy realised just how much he stands by his friends.

Rohan Sippy's second film "Bluff Master" with Abhishek is nearly ready for release and it will feature Bachchan Junior enacting the legendary Mehmood's song "The whole thing is that ke bhaiyya sabse badaa rupaiyaa" from the film "Sabse Badaa Rupaiyaa".

Contradicting his new power-packed star-status, Abhishek has gone all out to support Goldie and Apoorva to set up their post-debut directorial efforts.

Goldie's first film "Bas Itna Sa Khwab Hai" was released more than four years ago. Since then, he has been busy putting together a TV software company with his sister. At some point, there were talks about a film for producer Feroz Nadiadwala.

But now Goldie is finally coming out of cinematic hibernation with a film with his buddy Abhishek in the lead.

Says Abhishek: "There was no question of not doing Goldie's film. It was understood beforehand that I'd be in his film no matter what he made.

"It's the same with JP Saab. When he asked me to do 'Umrao Jaan', I didn't question him about my role. I hadn't questioned him about my role in 'LOC'. How can I? He's a father-figure," he told.

Goldie's film takes off in 2007 because that's when this ultra-busy actor has his first free moment.

After "Bunty Aur Babli", "Dus", "Sarkar" and now "Salaam Namaste" (where he did a comic climactic guest appearance), Abhishek is considered a lucky mascot.

"Lucky mascot?" Abhishek laughs out aloud. "Wasn't I the guy who couldn't get even one hit straight? These dips and rises shouldn't be allowed to colour your judgement about your intrinsic worth. I know what I'm worth. I know how far I've to go as an actor."

'Lucky mascot' Abhishek will be seen making an appearance in buddy Apoorva Lakhia's "Ek Ajnabee".

"It's a very small role. And I did it not because Appu needed me to be in his film... please, with my dad in "Ek Ajnabee", I can hardly count for clout. I just wanted to be part of the film. It isn't a guest appearance or a friendly appearance. It's a part that someone had to play. It just happens to be me."

Due to time constraints, Abhishek had to say no to Mira Nair's "The Namesake". "My loss entirely," Abhishek deadpans.

He's currently shooting for Sanjay Gadhvi's "Dhoom 2" and then he leaves for New York to join Karan Johar, Shahrukh Khan and Rani Mukherjee for "Kabhi Alvidaa Na Kehna".

"I'm having a ball. But the important thing is to remember that it isn't going to last... Nothing does. Not success, not failure."