by Subhash K Jha

Speculation on political motives behind Mr Bachchan's eleventh-hour absence from the inauguration of the 35th International Film Festival in Goa, has been running rife.

The mega-star who was in Lucknow on Sunday for an event celebrating his father Harivanshrai Bachchan's birthday, sets the record straight, just before he was hospitalized.

"There's absolutely no reason to let this incident escalate into a controversy. What happened is very simple. The Goan chief minister Pratapsingh Rane asked me to be there. I readily agreed. He then sent another letter informing me that my presence wasn't required. I said, fine. Main to ek rank hoon (I'm a beggar). I'll do whatever I'm asked to. If I'm asked to be at a venue I will. If I'm asked not to, I won't...as simple as that."

AB says he chose to be at Goa during the festival for personal reasons.

"Andre Timmins of Whizcraft who organized the events at the Festival is a friend. He requested me to be there. I can't say no to a friend. Besides AB Corp's film Antar Mahal was a part of the festival.Sanjay Bhansali's Black where I play a role was in the panorama section."

"My forthcoming film Ek Ajnabee was being screened. Also,a retrospective of Hrishi-da(Mukherjee) cinema was held. I had the honour of being in at least 2-3 films in Hrishida's retro. All put together, my presence at the festival was perfectly valid."

In no way has AB dissociated himself from the Festival, as reported. "A section of the press reports that Jaya and Abhishek are annoyed about what happened in Goa. Nothing happened, and why should they be annoyed?"

"On the contrary I'm going back to Goa on December 2 to join the festival for the French section. The French ambassador has invited me. Hopefully he won't change his mind."