Bachchanalia was released successfully at the launch of Osian’s full-fledged Publishing and Design House in Mumbai on 3 Jan 2009 at NCPA in Mumbai by Guest of Honour, Aamir Khan. Amitabh Bachchan who graced the occasion along with Jaya Bachchan, Abhishek and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan was felicitated with a tribute paid to his remarkable career spanning four decades by Mani Kaul, Aamir Khan, Neville Tuli and Bhawana Somaaya. A unique and invigorating session between Mr. Neville Tuli, Founder-Chairman, Osian’s and Mr. Bachchan on various artistic and educational issues was also held post the launch. It was overwhelming to witness a book launch of such magnitude for the sheer number of people and media the event attracted.

"Since I come from a film family, we had copies of Filmfare magazine which carried pictures of young actors struggling to make a mark in the industry. As a kid, I recall laughing with disdain at some pictures of young people who were aspiring to become actors. As I grew up, I hung my head in shame that one of the picture which I laughed at was that of Amitabh Bachchan," said Aamir Khan at the launch in Mumbai.

Bachchanalia - to be launched today

OSIAN, the institution launched in 2000 by Neville Tuli for preserving and promoting art and the organizers of "Cinefan-Festival of Asian and Arab Cinema" will today become instrumental in providing the fans of Hindi films an engrossing and unique biography of the living legend Amitabh Bachchan titled as "Bachchanalia: The Films and Memorabilia of Amitabh Bachchan".

According to Big B himself, the biography created by Bhawana Somaya is not a book that is made up of just words but also contains lots of photographs, poster designs and other visuals from some of the most famous films etc. making it very appealing.

The author has compiled "Bachchanalia" with the help of OSIAN's Centre for Archiving, Research and Development (CARD).

CARD is the world's leading centre of visual and textual archive of modern and contemporary Indian fine arts, cinema, popular cultures and heritage.

This institute which also has a vast collection of Asian and World Art was started to preserve India's artistic and cultural heritage and make its resources easily available for academic and other purposes.

Today at 7.30 pm other than the grand launch of "Bachchanalia" the itinerary also includes an audience with Amitabh Bachchan and a vintage memorabilia exhibition from OSIAN's art collection.

Veteran film maker Yash Chopra is the chief guest and Aamir Khan is the guest of honour for the programe.