Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachchan is recovering steadily and his condition is stable, said well wishers today who trooped into Mumbai's Leelawati Hospital where the star was admitted on Tuesday, following complaints of abdominal pain.

Bachchan underwent surgery Wednesday night for treatment of ‘diverticulitis of small intestine', a condition that causes inflammation and perforation of the small intestine.

Doctors have stated his condition to be stable, adding that the star had now started talking to family members.

Yesteryear actress Aruna Irani, said visitors were still not being allowed to meet the megastar.

"Nobody is allowed to meet him and I think he needs rest. We should not disturb him," she said.

Bachchan was on Monday admitted to New Delhi's Escorts hospital for abdominal pain, which was described as a minor problem by doctors. But the 63 year-old actor was re-admitted to Leelawati Hospital in Mumbai after he complained of recurring stomach-ache.

Bachchan has acted in more than 150 films and through the 1970s and 1980s churned out one hit after another, playing rebel, smuggler, vigilante and other anti-establishment figures.

The silver-bearded actor, who is exhibited in wax at Madame Tussauds in London, still rides high in the popularity charts, appearing in several films and as host of the hugely popular "Kaun Banega Crorepati.

Earlier in 1982, Bachchan underwent surgery when he hurt his intestines while shooting an action scene for the film ‘Coolie'.

The entire nation prayed for him then and one fan was said to have walked backwards from the of Hyderabad to Mumbai for his speedy recovery.