Divya Unny

It was Teji Bachchan’s failing health that finally made Amitabh and Ajitabh put aside their differences

They say time is a great leveller, but in the case of Amitabh and Ajitabh, it was their mother who eventually helped bring closure to their differences. A little before Diwali, when Teji Bachchan’s health started deteriorating, brothers became closer than they had been in decades.

A source close to the Bachchan’s reveals, “Amitabh and Ajitabh get along much better now although things are not perfect. When Teji’s health took a turn for the worse around Diwali, both of them made it a point to spend as much time as they could by their her bedside at Lilavati. Members of both their families would take turns looking being with Teji in the hospital. Things had become critical in the last few weeks and the crisis only brought the two families even closer.”

When the news of Teji’s demise was broken, Amitabh was in a state of disorientation and it was then Ajitabh who initially took charge of all the arrangements. Apparently the main problem between Amitabh and Ajitabh is the presence of Amar Singh. While Ajitabh doesn’t take too fondly to the politician, Amitabh treats him like a family member. Adds the source, “Ajitabh feels that Amar Singh is a bad influence on Amitabh.”

As far as the rituals for Teji Bachchan go, reports are that two pandits have been flown down from Varanasi. The Bachchan’s have always preferred pundits from their native state Uttar Pradesh for all important poojas. “Although Teji was born a Sikh, she participated in all Hindu rituals and visited temples when she was well. All the rituals will be conducted according to Hindu traditions,” the source added.