Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan, who turned 66 on Saturday, was rushed to Nanavati hospital in Vile Parle this morning after he complained of acute abdominal pain late on Friday night. After preliminary investigations he was shifted to Lilavati Hospital in Bandra where he is under observation.

Bachchan’s son Abhishek later said that the actor is stable and doctors have advised him to remain in hospital for at least two days. “Right now he is under medication. He is responding well to medication. He will be in the hospital for 48 to 72 hours. There is slight improvement in his condition. He will be in the hospital for at least 48 hours,” Abhishek told reporters.

Lilavati Hospital spokesman Mohanrajan said, “There is no cause for worry or concern. We are giving him the best possible treatment. He will soon be up and above and go back to work.” Bachchan has undergone blood investigation and CT scan of the abdomen and reports are awaited, a bulletin read by Mohanranjan said.

Sources said the superstar is suspected to be suffering from sub-acute intestinal obstruction as well as incisional hernia. An incisional hernia is known to occur due to an incompletely healed surgical wound. In 2005, Bachchan was operated for Diverticulitis, a problem of the small intestine.

Hospital sources also said that Bachchan had been put on nasogastric intubation, also called suck and drip treatment, a process involving the insertion of a plastic tube through the nose for feeding and for administering drugs.

According to an earlier statement released by the hospital, “Mr Amitabh Bachchan has been admitted to Lilavati Hospital today afternoon, with a history of abdominal pain, which has been relieved by medicines. The cause of pain is being investigated by a team of doctors. The reports will be available (in the) coming morning. The family - Mrs Jaya Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai and other relatives are present at the hospital. Mr Amitabh Bachchan has undergone blood investigation and CT Abdomen, reports of which are awaited. Further treatment will be decided based on the report. Bachchan is admitted on the 11th floor of Lilavati Hospital.”

Dr Jayant Barve, the Bachchan family physician, is heading a medical team taking care of Big B. Dr Ashok Hatolkar, medical superintendent of Nanavati Hospital where Bachchan was rushed to first in the morning, said, “The hospital was not informed about his condition. He came to the hospital’s radiology department for abdominal CT scan and the Bachchan's family physician rushed him to Lilavati Hospital for further treatment.”

While coming out of Nanavati Hospital, Bachchan, in a woollen cap and shawl, looked pale but refused to take a wheelchair and walked to the ambulance with son Abhishek, daughter-in-law Aishwarya and daughter Shweta by his side. Family friend and Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh and other close friends who were due to take part in Bachchan’s birthday celebrations visited him in the hospital.

(With inputs from PTI)