Bollywood star
Abhishek Bachchan says it would be "great" to be gay
icon

Indian star Abhishek Bachchan, a rising Bollywood leading man with a growing female following, says he's ready to be an icon for gays as well. Asked by The Times of India newspaper if he would feel comfortable having a big following among gay men, Bachchan responded: "Great! Why not?" "Appreciation and love from any quarter is welcome," he was quoted as saying in Monday's edition of the daily. While such a sentiment would surprise few in Hollywood, homosexuality remains taboo among most of India's billion people. Even in Bollywood's relatively liberal social circles, there are few openly gay personalities. As for his female fan base, Bachchan jokingly told the paper: "You bribe them very well and keep them on payroll." Bachchan is the son of Amitabh Bachchan, arguably one of India's biggest stars over the past three decades. The two were among the star-studded cast of the industry's latest big hit, Kabhi Alvida Na Kahna, or Never Say Goodbye, a movie about infidelity. (AP)