Aishwarya Rai

The decor and ambience was fitting for one of the most awaited films of the year.

After all, with the high voltage star cast that set the stage on fire at the premiere of Ravi Chopra’s multistarrer, the heavy security presence seemed justified.

There were the Bachchans – Amitabh and Abhishek, a demure Aishwarya Rai and her ex-flame Salman Khan.

And of course, there was no question of letting the media into the main hall.

So cameramen, waiting outside, jostled for a byte of the stars.

A suitably bejeweled leading lady Rani Mukherjee looked anxious and had all the right reasons to be so. “i am nervous and anxious as i do not want to let my fans down,” she said.

To add to the already high-pitched scenario was hottie John Abraham’s entry at the premiere, strategically planned to take place right after Salman Khan had left, only left people guessing about the alleged cold war between the two hunks.

Choosing to remain tight-lipped about the situation, all the cast and the crew could do was express happiness at the star-studded turnout.

“i am glad there was such a heavy turn-out,” said the Big B.

With the who’s who of tinsel town in attendance, Baabul was unveiled with more than just grandeur.

“This is also the 50th year of B R Films, so we thought the premiere should be grand as well,” said a beaming Ravi Chopra.

At the Baabul premiere, the silence of the stars seemed to give away a lot – the combined presence of Abhishek Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai and Salman Khan and John Abraham’s hasty entry right after Salman Khan had left enough fodder for the grapevines to chew on.