Amitabh's Family on film!

AB Corp (formerly known as Amitabh Bachchan Corporation Limited) launched its second film, The Family, after Viruddh, on November 14, in Mumbai.

Not surprisingly, Big B turned up for the muhurat with his family -- wife Jaya and grandchildren Agastya and Navyanaveli -- in tow!  

The Family will be directed by Raj Kumar Santoshi and will star Amitabh and Akshay Kumar. The heroine of the film has not yet been decided.

The story reportedly revolves around two families: a 'bad family' and a 'good family.'

The former is headed by Akshay, who plays a chef, while the latter is obviously Amitabh, who plays a gangster.

The muhurat shot showed both clad in their respective characters, as Akshay donned a chef's hat and Bachchan wore dark glasses with his suit, and thrilled the audience playing a gangster once again.

Aamir Khan was a guest at the function, and so was Samajwadi Party General Secretary Amar Singh, who gave the mahurat clap shot for the event. 

"If I don't change with the times, I won't get work," Bachchan said. "So I change my looks for different films. I wear this fake beard and goggles and try to do different things, so that I can survive in the industry."

"Indian films always have a good and bad side," he added. "This film is no different. Akshay Kumar is on the good side whereas I am on the bad side. I feel after passing their age, older people should take a backseat and make way for the younger generation. Now, I am happy to be in the background and work with the younger generation."

Bachchan also said the earlier launched Ranveer, with son Abhishek, had not been shelved. "We will do that film later," he confirmed.

Asked why Abhishek is not a part of this home production, Bachchan joked, "I can't give him a role in every film."

The film is expected to release in August 2005.

Asked how close this film is to The Godfather or Sarkar which he was doing with Ram Gopal Varma, director Rajkumar Santoshi intervened and said, "This film is no way near both the films. It is a completely different story." 

Speaking about his work experience with Rajkumar Santoshi, Bachchan said, "Before Khakee, we wanted to work together many times. Somehow, things didn't work out. I am happy with the way Khakee turned out. It was one of the most challenging roles for me as an actor. I hope this film will be equally challenging." 

Photograph: Pradeep Bandekar