Among several film producers waiting for superstar Amitabh Bachchan to recover after an abdominal surgery at the Leelavati Hospital here, is the ailing film star's make-up man-turned-producer Deepak Sawant.

Sawant, who is producing a Bhojpuri film ''Ganga'', stars his boss Amitabh and Hema Malini.

The Big B was to shoot for the film from December four to seven in Mumbai. ''I am waiting for Amitji to get well soon and resume his normal activities after which I will get fresh dates, '' Sawant, who has been member of Amitabh's personal staff for over 30 years, told.

''Ganga'' is about two brothers who fall in love with the same girl and the turmoil it causes in the family. Amitabh plays the father -- a Thakur.

''The film is 75 per cent complete. We have a schedule in London and Mumbai'', he said.

The film is being made under the ''Pankhdi-Dakshina films'' banner and directed by Abhishek Chhadha. The script and screenplay is done jointly by Sawant and Chhadha.

Ealier, Sawant produced a Marathi film ''Akka'' many years ago in which Amitabh and Jaya made a special appearance.

Asked what prompted him to switch to Bhojpuri films instead of Marathi, Sawant said, ''about 340 million people in Eastern UP and Bihar speak the language. I find the market for Bhojpuri films better than that of Marathi.'' He said on sets of Ravi Chopra's ''Babul, Amitabh, Hema Malini and others were discussing the Bhojpuri films and its success in recent times. The same time, ''I told Amitji about the film.

Initially, he hestitated but later on agreed after I narrated the script. Even Hemaji agreed immediately after I requested her'', he said.

Sawant said he plans to release the film in March next year provided Amitji recovers fully and begins shooting.

Apart from Amitabh and Hema, the film stars Nagma, Ravi Kishen, Ajay Sharma, Sheela Sharma.

Ashok Ghayal is the music composer of the film.