After
Aishwarya
Bachchan,
it's
Abhishek
Bachchan,
who
has
stayed
away
from
'Kaun
Banega
Crorepati'
(KBC),
hosted
by
his
father
Amitabh
Bachchan.
This
week,
the
director
Ashutosh
Gowariker
and
his
leading
lady
Deepika
Padukone
of
Khelein
Hum
Jee
Jaan
Sey
recorded
an
episode
of
'KBC'.
Abhishek
opted
out,
although
this
is
a
crucial
release
for
him.
Apparently,
there
was
much
behind-the-scenes
maneuvering
to
convince
Abhishek
to
occupy
the
hot
seat
in
front
of
his
iconic
dad-host.
Abhishek
refused
to
budge.
Says
a
source,
"Both
the
channel
personnel
and
the
crew
of
Khelein
Hum
Jee
Jaan
Sey
felt
getting
Abhishek
and
his
dad
on
the
same
platform
would
be
great
publicity
for
Abhishek's
film.
Abhishek
wouldn't
relent.
They
finally
went
on
the
show
without
him."
In
fact,
the
channel's
plans
to
bring
the
entire
Bachchan
parivar
for
the
grand
finale
on
December
9
has
also
fallen
through.
According
to
sources,
the
Big
B
thwarted
the
plans
of
getting
his
family
on
the
show
by
throwing
the
rule-book
at
the
channel.
They
finally
had
to
make
the
finale
a
Sholay
special
featuring
the
Big
B
with
Dharmendra.
Says
Sony
Entertainment's
CEO
Ajit
Thakur,
"We
were
indeed
in
advanced
talks
with
the
Bachchan
family
to
come
on
the
show.
However,
it
finally
didn't
work
out.
Even
Abhishek
is
missing
in
the
episode
featuring
his
colleagues
for
the
promotion
of
their
film."
Argues
Big
B,
"As
per
the
rules
and
regulations
of
the
company
that
owns
the
original
rights
of
'KBC',
relatives
of
the
anchor
are
not
permitted
to
participate
in
the
show.
There's
a
signed
contract
in
this
regard." However,
the
channel's
personnel
argue
that
the
contract
rules
don't
apply
to
special
episodes
of
'KBC'.
Says
the
source,
"We
were
very
keen
to
have
the
family
on
the
show.
But
the
Bachchans
don't
want
anyone
to
say
they're
using
the
show
to
promote
their
family."
Story first published: Wednesday, December 1, 2010, 15:53 [IST]