The mega-star is glad that a film stressing Indian values has been made.

"Television is so full of family dramas that this genre is hardly attempted in today's cinema. 'Baabul' is very traditional and close to our hearts. It addresses the sensitive issue of a widow remarriage.

"Why does a young widow become a victim of ridiculous customs, almost an outcast? Like all the films from B.R Films, it addresses itself to a burning social issue."

Speaking of his on-screen rapport with Hema, Amitabh said: "We did some films in our earlier days, but not as many as we're doing now. In 'Baabul' she's very much part of the drama. In 'Sholay' there was the effort to rehabilitate the widow. That sentiment continues in 'Baabul'.

"It was initially tried in Dharamji (Dharmendra) and Meena Kumariji starrer 'Phool Aur Patthar'. Now, widow remarriage is the theme in films like 'Water' and 'Baabul'. Good. Cinema needs to raise the collective conscience-level of the audience."

The Bhojpuri market in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar has gone ballistic over Amitabh's guest appearance in "Ganga".

"I'm glad to know it's a success. If my presence in a film helps someone then I'm very glad to do it. Good for my makeup man Deepak Sawant who has been with me for 30 years. He came up with the idea of a Bhojpuri film. Just when we were to start the schedule, I fell ill. The moment I recovered, his was one of the first projects I completed."

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