Bachchan, accompanied by wife Jaya and friend Samajwadi Party General Secretary Amar Singh, arrived at Jaisalmer on Monday afternoon by a special flight. His son Abhishek and would-be daughter-in-law Karisma Kapoor are already in Jaisalmer, shooting for Bambai Se Aaya Mera Dost.

Soon after Bachchan's arrival, winter showers lashed Jaisalmer, breaking the season's long dry spell.

Bachchan last celebrated New Year in Rajasthan in 1986 with then prime minister Rajiv Gandhi at the Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve in Sawai Madhopur.