Daijiworld Media Network

Mumbai, Nov 8: Aishwarya Rai-Bachchan is all set to become a mother, and as the big day arrives, media is going dizzy with reports on the impending birth of the new Bachchan heir.

The latest media versus Bachchan family debate to hit headlines is the issue over the coverage of the grand event. While the ministry of information and broadcasting has issued a list of 'guidelines' asking the media to behave, Amitabh Bachchan denied reports that he had asked the ministry to take such a step.

The ministry has asked the electronic media not to make a pre-coverage of the event, and to flash the news of the birth only after an official announcement is made. There would be no 'breaking news' and no cameras and OB vans would be allowed outside the hospital or at Bachchan houses.

Also, channels will go to press conferences if invited, and photos will be carried only if issued by the Bachchan family. There would be no astrology-related shows, and the coverage would last only ninety seconds at most.

However, it has not gone down well with all the media, and after reports emerged that Amitabh Bachchan may have asked the ministry to use its power to exercise caution, Big B denied it and pleaded ignorance of the guidelines.

On his Twitter page, Big B came up with a series of tweets calling such allegations "ridiculous, malicious and completely false."

"I&B and media matter ! Firstly I have no such intention ever, secondly do you really think I&B would listen to me !?? No way baby !" he said.

He also said that he had received a message from a journalist which read: ".. to respect ur family's privacy n women's dignity all tv news networks decided not to follow aishwarya's pregnancy or delivery. Not a single line news till official announcement. No camera's and OBs will be stationed at your place or hospital. Regards .."

“Some media subsequently got upset with both of us, the Ministry and me, and sms’d me on the futility of my story and that they took no orders from the Ministry ! I felt that they had misunderstood the entire episode, so I hastened to clarify that I was never expressing anything that was even remotely derogatory towards them and thanked them for their decision to respect the dignity and not intrude on the privacy of our family during the time of the delivery. This calmed them down and all was sorted out in a spirit of good judgement and peaceful harmony. Phew !!!”

So, that means Big B has no problems with the coverage, and media will once again go on an overdrive on the big day!