by Subhash K Jha

The stomach infection which has gripped the media in a frenzy of information, seems to be on the wane. Yes, Amitabh Bachchan is recovering from the sudden attack of pain that gripped him when he was in Lucknow on Sunday.

Though the exhaustive tests at the Escorts hospital in Delhi and later at Leelavati in Mumbai conclusively proved there was nothing seriously amiss with AB's health, the pain refused to subside on Tuesday.

The 63-year-old screen icon, who was on IV fluids, was given a sponge bath early Wednesday morning. He may remain on IV fluids for the next five days and will remain in the hospital for the next 10 days but will be will be out of action at least for a month.

Doctors said the operation became unavoidable after one of the diverticulitis - small bulging pouches in the digestive tract - that Bachchan had developed ruptured.

Close friends and relatives heaved a sigh of relief. AB, a chronic phone-person hadn't been attending calls since Monday morning. He personally let his close friends know on Wednesday morning that he was well.

But by 4 pm on Wenesday it was clear to the battery of doctors that something was seriously amiss. The patient remained calm, happy...and patient! AB was operated on Wednesday evening. He's back in the ICU on Thursday morning with wife Jaya keeping a constant vigil.

A constant stream of friends fans and well-wishers are crowding the Leelavati hospital , making it difficult for the immediate family to cope with the situation. "A bit of distance would help us to manage the crisis much better," says the tense and worried son Abhishek.