Big B, Deepika, Saif at Aarakshan premiere

The big guns were out, with beefed up security of course, at the premiere of Prakash Jha's film Aarakshan.

Director-Producer Prakash Jha enters with megastar Amitabh Bachchan who plays an idealist principal of a top private college, caught in the politics of reservation in educational institutions.
At the premiere, Amitabh Bachchan tackled some questions on the debate raging over the film, which is facing a ban in the states of UP, Punjab and Andhra Pradesh. "It's our duty to obey the government. We are all helpless. We are not into politics, we make movies," he said.

Commenting on the three-state ban, Amitabh Bachchan said:"If that film is being certified and somebody has taken objection to that certification and filed in the High Court and if (the) High Court has also dismissed that, then we have the right to project this film.
However, if there are certain factions that are unhappy with it, we are studying what their unhappiness is about and hopefully we will get over it.
Whatever they are doing is also within the law. Every state has a provision where they can block or ban a film."

An optimistic Jha stated: "People will understand the meaning of the film. Right now everyone has their doubts without watching or understanding the movie.
The doubts about the film will be cleared, like you saw in Maharashtra.
So don't worry, It might take some time, but the film will get released everywhere."

Jaya Bachchan was at the premiere, though Abhishek and Aishwarya were missing.

Aarakshan's leading lady Deepika Padukone makes her glamorous entry.

Sticking to the traditional, Deepika wore a black and white Sabyasachi saree for her moment in the spotlight.

Deepika Padukone plays Poorbi, Amitabh Bachchan's daughter, in the film.

Saif Ali Khan at the premiere.

Saif Ali Khan plays Deepak Kumar, a Dalit brought up by his mother.

The actor looked dapper, though ladylove Kareena wasn't at hand to add the extra dollops of glamour.

Lisa Haydon poses for the shutterbugs.

Prateik Babbar, touted as Bollywood's rising star, at the premiere.

An intense-looking Prateik at the premiere.

Kabir Bedi with his girls, girlfriend Parveen Dusanj and daughter Pooja.

Director Ketan Mehta and wife Deepa walk in for the show.

The Aarakshan bad man Manoj Bajpai, at the premiere.

Manoj Tiwari at the big premiere.

Shruti Seth was on her own.

German model-turned-actor Claudia Ciesla at the premiere.

We can't help but wonder at Purab Kohli's new look. A remake of Mangal Pandey in the offing?

A radiant Tanvi Azmi at the premiere.

Choreographer-director Shirish Kunder attends without wife Farah.

It's black and traditional for actor Tisca Chopra.

Model and actor Neetu Chandra picks a traditional outfit too.

Shekhar Suman with his wife of 25 years, Alka Kapoor.

He's got our attention with this outfit - what is it?

Aarakshan lyricist Prasoon Joshi attends the premiere with wife Aparna.

Deepshikha Nagpal poses with her Yeh Dooriyan co-star Keshav Arora.

And we like the understated look.

A slimmer Rajat Kapoor, after all, it's time for the Winds of Change.

Sheeba walks in with hubby Akashdeep by her side.

Yashpal Sharma and his wife also attended.