The Bachchans' 3-week ordeal ended on Saturday morning when Amitabh Bachchan finally left Leelavati hospital to return to his mother's residence Prateeksha.

A crowd of at least 200 people had already got wind of the Bachchans' plans. They waited anxiously outside Prateeksha even as Abhishek, wearing a Superman teeshirt drove his dad home.

AB Sr's 3-week stay in the hospital had left him lighter. "He has lost some weight. But by God's grace, he's recovering," Abhishek was trying hard to keep his emotions in check.

Earlier during the day he had driven into the hospital wearing a teeshirt that read 'Superman'. The minute AB Sr saw his son he caught on. "That teeshirt is for me." Cutting through the throngs the cavalcade of cars drove to Pateeksha. The entire family is now gathered at Prateeksha where the steadily-recuperating superstar is now regathering his strength.

It's unlikely that he will resume shooting for a while. Abhishek says the decision is entirely his father's. As soon as he feels up to it, AB Sr will be back at work, though it seems unlikely he'd do so in the next two weeks.

With the return home of the convalescing superstar, all speculation on the matter has been laid to rest. Initially the plan was to stay at the Leelavati hospital a little longer. AB Sr had been advised by his close friends that it would be more advisable to stay in hospital than to move home where medical attention would be relatively lower. "There were no plans to leave immediately," reveals a member of the family. "In fact he wanted to continue in hospital. But he suddenly changed his mind on Saturday...said he wanted to be home with the family."

Sunday morning....and a huge throng of onlookers have already gathered at Prateeksha. Abhishek plays the perfect host to them. Water is served to the strangers outside the home. The ailing mega-star is expected to make an appearance some time in the morning.

Yes, all is well at the Bachchan front once again.