Bachchan was at the National Gallery of Modern Art, en famille, to read out some of his father's verse. The event was organised by the British Council as part of its Enduring Image exhibition and also served as an occasion to promote the English translation of Harivansh Rai Bachchan's autobiography, In the Afternoon of Time. In a city, rather blase about its stars, a large crowd had gathered outside the Cowasjee Jehangir Hall to admire Bachchan, and to look at Abhishek. The turnout surprised Bachchan himself who said he did not expect so many people in a city like Mumbai to turn up to hear verse in Hindi.

While he may have been the primary reason why virtually all the invitees turned up, as the evening progressed itwas clear that the real star of the show was the one who was not present. Harivansh Rai Bachchan's poetry in turn entranced, amused and provoked.

Bachchan read out eight representative poems including Jeevan Ki Aapa-dhaapi mein; Joh raat gayi, woh baat gayi; Choti ki barf; Khoon ke chhaape; the satirical Buddha aur naach-ghar and two blank verse, 19/1/66 and Bharat ke saanp. He also read out from Richard Snell's translation of Harivansh Rai Bachchan's autobiography and concluded, but obviously, with Madhushala from which he sang a verse on request. Then, pleading ill-health read out the rest. For those not well-versed with the language and references he peppered the reading with English translations and anecdotes and gestures. For two hours it was symbiosis of talent with well, more talent.