Mumbai: Celluloid screen legend, Amitabh Bachchan, who whipped up mass hysteria in the past three decades with his larger than life image, was once again the cynosure of all eyes as scores of fans gathered outside his residence at Juhu morning of October 11 to wish the megastar on his 60th birthday.

There was a virtual hysteria as the Big B, dressed in simple white apparel, arrived at the gate to accept the greetings of fans and well-wishers. Bachchan, who had arrived from Tirupati early morning of October 11, thanked them for the overwhelming response.

Huge sprays of crimson roses, laminated portraits of the star, photographs of Amitabh and his family, small mementoes and hosts of birthday cards scribbled with messages and personal appreciation, on October 11 made their way to the Bachchan household even as a leading television channel carried one line birthday messages from his fans all over the country.

Special supplements of dailies, enlisting the star's achievements and tracing his slow but steady rise to stardom, and with huge photographs of the star in various poses, hit the stands on October 11.

The megastar is scheduled to attend the release of a book, 'To Be or Not to Be', to be launched by his actress-wife, Jaya Bachchan, later in the day. The coffee-table glossy carries insights into the star as perceived by various members of his family and film critic Khalid Mohammad.

The star was later expected to attend a private party thrown in his honour.

PTI