Abhishek Does It For Papa

It was just a 4-hour visit to Dubai for Abhishek Bachchan on Wednesday (9 December).

But what the heck! Anything for Pa. And we do mean Pa with one 'a'. Abhishek air dashed to Dubai not for the screening of their film Paa, but to cheer his dad who received lifetime-achievement award at the Dubai International Film Festival on Wednesday.

Says a close friend of Abhishek, "It doesn't matter to Abhishek how many lifetime achievement awards his father gets. Each one is equally special. And he will make it a point to be present for each one."

Abhishek was shooting non-stop for Ashutosh Gowariker's Khelen Hum Jee Jaan Se in Goa. He took a day off from the premiere. And now for Dubai.

Says the friend, "Since Abhishek's flight to Dubai was from Mumbai, he first had to fly from Goa to Mumbai then to Dubai and back through the same route to join Ashutosh's crew in Goa on Thursday."

Abhishek was in Dubai for barely four hours, just long enough to see his father receive the life-time achievement. "I had to be there, that's it," says Abhishek.

The one member of the Bachchan family who has been burning the midnight oil for Paa is Abhishek. Even while shooting in Goa, he was overseeing all the premiere plans in Mumbai making sure the invitees were not left out.

Says Abhishek's friend, "Aishwarya was so busy shooting for Sanjay Leela Bhansali, she just couldn't devote enough time to the Paa premiere preparation. Abhishek took charge from Goa, opened a makeshift AB Corp office in Goa."

The young actor now intends to take charge of the family's production plans fully. A number of new films from AB Corp Ltd are expected to be announced in the next few months.

And Abhishek will be the production company's visible face.