By Subhash K. Jha, IANS

The three Bachchans - Amitabh, Jaya and Abhishek - will be seen together not in Pradeep Sarkar's new film, as the rumour mills suggest, but in a Rakeysh Mehra venture called "Bhairavi", says the Big B.

Rumours have a way of gathering momentum if unchecked. The cast of Yashraj Films' untitled film now being directed by Sarkar in Varanasi has undergone a lot of changes, both real and imagined. When Sarkar's blue-eyed girl Vidya Balan opted out, Konkona stepped in to play her role. Shabana Azmi's name was also mentioned in the cast.

But the latest brainwave to hit the television channels is that all the three Bachchans will be together in the film.

Amitabh denies it and says: "Jaya and Abhishek are in Pradeep Sarkar's film. I am not. No one has approached me. And to my knowledge there's no role for me in this film. Of course, all three of us are keen to be seen together. And it will happen soon. But not in Pradeep's film."

The project being designed to bring the Bachchans together is "Bhairavi". Rakeysh Mehra has already scripted the film set against the backdrop of music and familial heritage. He plans to make it after his next project, the autobiographical "Delhi - 6", which stars Abhishek Bachchan. (Leading lady, contrary to rumours, undecided)

About the ambitious opus, the Big B confirms: "Yes 'Bhairavi' is definitely in the pipeline. Rakeysh has already sounded us out. All three of us - Jaya, Abhishek and me - are agreeable. But since it's a very big project, it requires a great deal of planning. As of now, 'Bhairavi' is the only film bringing us together."

Incidentally, Jaya and Abhishek are not really 'together' in Pradeep Sarkar's film. Abhishek plays Rani's love interest. And Rani plays Jaya's daughter.