Big B appreciates Akshay's performance in Chandini Chowk...

Superstar Amitabh Bachchan's surprise visit to the premiere of film Chandni Chowk to China literally floored the action hero Akshay Kumar who was overwhelmed by the presence of the 'Shahanshah' of Bollywood.

Welcoming the "Big B", Akshay Kumar said "I would like to invite Amitabh Bachchan whom I adore."

Admiring the rapid progress made by Akshay as a leading Bollywood star, Bachchan said on Monday evening, "I am extremely proud of this young man. I have seen his growth from early days when he used to remain in the background to now when he is in the forefront of the Indian Cinema. It is a remarkable journey and we are proud of you."

Bachchan said he was on a private visit to the city. "It is always a pleasure to watch films in London."

Thanking the NRIs for their support to the Indian cinema, Bachchan said "Indian cinema is becoming more and more a part of your life."

Akshay virtually was in great pain while doing some of the rare stunts and lifting leading heroine Deepika Padukone in mid-air in the Warner Bros Pictures maiden Bollywood film Chandni Chowk to China.

This was revealed here by Akshay Kumar himself at the grand European Premiere of the USD 9 million film at the 1300-seater Empire theatre at the Leicester Square, in the heart of the city, on Monday night.

Prominent among those present at the near packed theatre were leading NRI industrialists, Lord Swraj Paul, Rami Ranger and Kartar Lalvani. Lalvani is the founder chairman of the Vitabiotics, Britain's largest vitamin producing company. President of the Hinduja Group, G P Hinduja was also present in the function.

Describing Chandni Chowk to China as an "absolutely senseless film" Akshay Kumar said "I did break my back while doing some of the stunts and lifting Deepika Padukone in the mid-air."

The film which chronicles the lunatic adventures of a hapless simpleton cook from Delhi (Akshay Kumar) who is mistaken for the reincarnation of an ancient Chinese warrior.

As he goes to seek his destiny, he finds himself thrown into a crazy world of megalomaniac villains, crazy inventors, Chinese mysticism and outlandish Kung-fu assassins.

As Akshay Kumar and Director Nikhil Advani admitted it was really an "illogical, mad film" but quite gripping and most of the time hilarious. Deepika plays a double role in the film.