Traffic jam saved Abhishek from Delhi blasts

A traffic snarl proved providential for Bollywood actor Abhishek Bachchan, who decided to turn back just as he was nearing Connaught Place to attend a function there Saturday evening - minutes before two blasts shook the area.

His father, Hindi film icon Amitabh Bachchan, wrote on his blog, "Shattered and shocked he called to say he was alright."

"Abhishek had left in the afternoon for New Delhi and was on his way to Connaught Place for a function he had to attend. Minutes away from there, the traffic became a snarl and he knew he would not make it in time so he asked to turn back. And the blast happened just then, " Amitabh wrote on his blog www.bigb.bigadda.com on Sunday.

Abhishek was here as part of a media promotional event and to shoot for the last scenes of his "Dilli 6". However, he had to cancel his programme after the blast, considering the gravity of the situation, his father wrote.

"He was just not able to conduct them (activities). Cancelled them. It would have been too insensitive, " he wrote. The veteran actor revealed that his son has left a decision on whether to continue the shooting to the producers.

"He has left the decision to the producers. Cancelling would be interpreted as succumbing to the threat. I wonder what they decide."

Amitabh also expressed his grief for the victims of Saturday's serial blasts.

"Jaya and I sit alone in the house, our hearts still with the tragedy in Delhi. What of those who bore the brunt - innocent unaware and victims."

"We live in difficult times. What kind of an environment are we leaving behind for our next generation? Or do we not concern ourselves with that? We need peace and harmony, " he concluded.

The serial blasts - two each in Connaught Place and Greater Kailash M-Block market and one in Gaffar Market - left 23 people dead and around 100 injured.