Aishwarya Rai

The Bachchans may have dug themselves into a private hole by keeping their fans, press and industry colleagues at arms length in the name of privacy.

Bachchan fans are vociferously expressing their displeasure at being left out of the festivities and the roughing up of media personnel by Bachchan goons.

“Amitabh Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan, Jaya and Aishwarya should know that they are popular and rich stars today because of the adulation of their fans and the support of the media,” say numerous letters to DNA.

“By insulting both these support systems, they have proved their ungratefulness. Amitabh’s apologies are eyewash!”

Some respondents have gone on to say that they ‘will not watch Big B’s movies any more.’

There are also indications the Khans are reacting to their combined exclusion from the list of invitees.

Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan and Saif Ali Khan – have indicated in the TOI and DNA that there is a ‘new bond’ among them.

Lately the three of them have been seen together in public displaying a lot of bonhomie, inviting media speculation of the formation of a Khan Camp – a new ‘camp among stars and directors’ that will be a major force to reckon with in the industry. Insiders believe the Bachchans could find themselves isolated by this camp which will include equally big celebrities bonding together in an alternative alignment.

Shah Rukh Khan at the launch of a Louise Philippe show room in Bombay. Photo Credit: Z-News

Shah Rukh Khan is believed to be already flexing his muscles in a show of strength. DNA reports that he has successfully roped in 30 leading Bollywood stars, other than new camp pals Salman and Saif, to dance in his film Om Shanti Om under the direction of Farah Khan! These include Rekha, Shabana Azmi, Sanjay Dutt, Govinda, Mithun, Vidya Balan, Rani Mukherjee, Preity Zinta, Kajol, Karisma Kapoor, Shilpa Shetty, Tabu, Priyanka Chopra, Lara Dutta, Urmila Matondkar, Malaika Arora Khan and Amrita Arora

“This,” says Bollywood designer Manish Malhotra (who will design ensembles for this dance), “Is a coup that happens only once in 20 years!”

We think there is a clear power game going on here!

Send in your opinions on the future of the Bachchan clan in Bollywood! Do you think their arrogance and show of wealth will spell difficult times ahead? Will Bollywood be divided into two camps – the Bachchans and Non-Bachchans?