The superstar of the Millennium – that's what a BBC online poll said about him – was in New York over the weekend to launch a book conceived by his wife as his 60^th birthday present.

Jaya and Amitabh Bachchan attended two functions to release the book: the first on March 7 at the New York Grand Hyatt and the second on March 8 at the Royal Albert's Palace in Fords, New Jersey.

The visit coincided with the 10^th anniversary of TVAsia, an ethnic programming and production house founded by the Big B, which he later sold.

On both days, what stood out was not the sight of the Bachchans, but the mismanagement of both events.

The Hyatt event started at 7:30 pm, a good one-and-a-half hours behind schedule, with nary an announcement or apology to the audience. And at Royal Albert's, the pandemonium to get the book signed and for photos with the Big B was there for all to see.

At the Hyatt, rediff.com's photographer was roughed up by one of the organisers and an NYPD officer and pushed out of the book signing ceremony before being allowed back in much later.

To their credit, the organizers did line up an impressive list of dignitaries to share the dais with the Bachchans.

In New York, the entire top brass of the Indian diplomatic corps was present – Permanent Representative to the UN Vijay Nambiar, UN Under Secretary for Public Affairs and Communications Shashi Tharoor and Indian Consul General in New York Pramathesh Rath.

The next day, the Bachchans attended a breakfast meeting with New Jersey Governor James McGreevey at his mansion.

And who turns up for the stage function in jeans and sneakers but Congressman Frank Pallone, a leading member of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans, straight from basketball practice with his kids.

"It is important for India and US to go beyond improving economic and defence ties, to share our cultures and Indian cinema has been at the vanguard of that in the US," Pallone said. "This is your legacy, Mr Bachchan, and I am honoured to be here today."

Of particular interest at both events was the Big B's emphasis on the important role his recently-deceased father and noted poet Harivansh Rai Bachchan played in shaping his life. "Whatever I am, I owe to his guidance, affection and blessings."

Bachchan also recalled his short stint in politics when he became embroiled in the Bofors scandal.

"I had entered politics because I felt every Indian should stand behind the new prime minister. But it was an emotional decision and I realized later that politics and emotions don't mix."

"I also tried to ignore the mudslinging against me and my family on the Bofors issue. But the turning point came when my father told me 'I hope you are not doing anything wrong'."

"Then I consulted friends about what to do. One of them was Dhirubhai Ambani who advised me to stick to doing what I do best."

At the New Jersey event, Bachchan remarked that he was surprised how well the community had maintained its culture. "In fact, I think many of you follow our culture more than we do in India."

He also said that it was important that the community maintained the Indian tradition of looking after parents in their old age. "I was fortunate to be able to be near my father and serve him when he was old and I pray all of you will also be good children and good parents."

Jaya Bachchan said the book had started out as a small idea to compile just a few thoughts and photos to present to her husband on his 60^th birthday. "But it grew and soon it was a full-fledged book."

She cheekily revealed that she had saved some material for his 80^th birthday. "That book will be more personal and I am already saving up material for that event."