Mani Ratnam had to cancel his shooting schedule for his latest movie starring Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai, after Amitabh Bachchan fell sick on October 11, which was his birthday and had to be admitted to hospital. The shooting schedule in Kochi was to start the following day. Now it seems that the next schedule of the film is due to begin after Diwali.

Abhi and Ash are expected to be part of the shooting schedule this time. After his father was admitted to hospital, Abhi was at his father's side constantly. He is believed to have said that family was more important to him than work and was not expected to shoot till his father had totally recovered. Thankfully, Mani was able to understand and sympathise with the junior Bachchan. He did not put any pressure on the couple to make it for the schedule. The unit in Kochi packed up without managing to shoot at all. The next schedule has now been set for October 29, right after Diwali. The Bachchans are unlikely to celebrate, what with the Big B recuperating and the fact that the family is still in mourning over Teji Bachchan's death. Mani's problems will probably be over post October 29, once Abhi and Ash report for shooting. But the going will not be so easy for the Big B's producers and directors. Among the films to be affected will mainly be Leena Yadav's Teen Patti and Shoojit Sircar's Shoebite. The actor has been advised rest by his doctors. One guesses it will take some time before the superstar is back on his feet.