Also see Amitabh special | Why is Big B such a big star? | Wish Amitabh!

Amitabh Bachchan celebrated his 61st birthday on October 11. Among the umpteen gifts he received were some thought-provoking cards, too. Below are mentioned what some of the greeting cards the Big B was presented had to say (all a figment of the writer's imagination).

Abhishek Bachchan's card wished daddy dear many happy returns of the day and had the following words written by the Small B in his own hand-writing: Dear Dad, 'Tera Jadoo Chal Gayaa' even on the small screen, mera kab chalega on the big screen? It was signed: Your son who feels like a 'Refugee' after a half-success and numerous flops!

Hrithik Roshan's greeting card was accompanied by a Coke bottle instead of the customary bottle of champagne. The card said: Respected Superstar, Don't you think I deserve the crown now? After all, my 'Koi…Mil Gaya' has done far, far better business than all your releases of 2003 put together. 'Kaho naa'...hum superstar hai! And yes, happy birthday. Regards, Hrithik.

Rekha's was a sexy, glamorous and colourful card that wished the aging Bachchan many happy returns of the day, and asked him a question, but without four options like in his 'Kaun Banega Crorepati' show. Queried the card: Kaun Banega Mera Pati?

Karan Johar didn't need to convey his feelings through a birthday card. Giving the birthday boy a warm hug at the birthday party, the 30-year-old director whispered into the 60-plus actor's ear: 'Many happy returns of the day. Please don't let the flopping of your recent films bother you. That's the way life is! 'Kabhi khushi kabhi gham'...!"

Aditya Chopra's birthday card was not traceable. As he admitted later, "Like I don't see trials of others' films and don't show trials of my films to others, I neither celebrate my birthday nor attend others' birthdays. Similarly, I neither accept gifts nor give gifts."

Kaizad Gustad's card read: Gustadi, sorry, gustakhi maaf! I am aware that you are getting a lot of brickbats for acting in my 'Boom'. But what to do? I thought, sex sells. And, I also thought, you sell. But you and sex together, perhaps, don't jell and also don't sell. Anyway, forget all this talk of what sells and what doesn't sell. Just celebrate!

The greeting card of Sahara chief Subroto Roy announced: Amitabh hai hamara
Hum hai Sahara!

Samajwadi Party MP Amar Singh's card screamed:
Saat ajoobe iss duniya mein
Aanthvin apni jodi
Bhai, tode se na toote
Yeh Amar-Amitabh ki jodi!

The greetings from a group of creditors, who were left out by Amitabh's company, AB Corp, from being paid their dues, came with a terse verse:
Dear Amitabhji,
How do you do?
Some pay when it is due
Others, when overdue.
How do you do?

India Syndicate