Nidhi Taparia in Pune

He looks tired. Not even 24 hours have passed since he walked the ramp for the Abu Jani-Sandeep Khosla fashion show.

Yet, the minute he is called on stage, an instant transformation takes place. A captivating smile replaces the lines of exhaustion on Amitabh Bachchan's face.

He is in Pune as the chief guest at the 'Drink Pepsi, Meet Big B' presentation ceremony. Playing the perfect guest, the man who has delivered hundreds of memorable lines needs only a few of them to bring the select crowd of a hundred odd people to its feet.

"I love coming to Pune," he says in that famed baritone. "You all know the reason. This city occupies a special place in my heart because this where Jaya and I decided to get married. It is a pleasure to keep meeting people from Pune and to visit this city."

And the Big B cannot escape Kaun Banega Crorepati. He is asked how contestants from Pune fare on the show. "So far," he says, "there has only been one. But I am sure there will be more to come."

The contest winners gush, touch his feet, click photographs with him and get their shirts autographed.

Bachchan, in turn, is amused by some of the winning slogans, particularly the one which went: 'Drinking Pepsi with Amitabh is like answering the 15th question on Kaun Banega Crorepati.'

Later, he spoke to rediff.com about the unexpected popularity of the television show. "I wasn't even sure I wanted to do a show like this one," he says rather matter-of-factly. "It was only the persistence of Siddharth Basu and Star TV's programme executives that finally eroded my resistance. Besides, the show is not a success because of me. The elements of expectancy, drama and the opportunity to win money are what make it interesting."

"It's so creative and spontaneous. There is a lot of quick thinking on your feet and that," he says, "is frightening."

Though we ask him about Zee’s Sawaal Dus Crore Ka, Bachchan refuses to court controversy. "Competition was bound to come in. It is an open field and everyone is welcome."

Talking about Abhishek brings a fatherly smile to his face. "From Refugee to Dhaai Akshar Prem Ke, I think he has definitely progressed." He is equally proud of daughter Shweta and is looking forward to the arrival of her second child.

As for wife Jaya, he looks more than pleased with her successful comeback -- both in the theatre and on the big screen. "I think she is doing an excellent job. She has signed a lot of films!"

He is rather excited about the films he has signed -- Karan Johar's Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham and David Dhawan's next with Sanjay Dutt and Salman Khan.

Confirming rumours about the possibility of a deal with Channel 9, he says, "Yes, I will be certainly involved with a project or two. But things have not really got to the finalisation stage."

Unlike some of his contemporaries, Bachchan does not have plans to direct a film. "I don't think I am cut out for direction," he says candidly. "But, if there comes a time when I have to do it, I will."

The most telling moment comes when we pose our final question: "Are you happy, Mr Bachchan?"

His broad smile is brighter than the glow of a million-dollar diamond.