GUNA TO MUMBAI: Chainsingh Rajput with his cycle rickshaw outside the Bachchans' bungalow in Juhu yesterday. PIC/SAPNA DESAI

Every person who fancies an actor believes he is their biggest fan. That's what Chainsingh Rajput believes too. So, he calls Amitabh Bachchan his role model and his father.

And to greet his 'father' on his birthday October 11 Chainsingh (37) cycled to Mumbai from his hometown Guna in Madhya Pradesh. He started the 685-km journey on September 16 and reached Mumbai on Saturday afternoon.
 
"I had heard he met well-wishers on his birthday. So, I decided to meet him," said Chainsingh. But before he reached Bachchan's Juhu home, the actor had been whisked away to hospital after complaining of stomach pain.

So, Chainsingh has decided he'll go back home only after seeing Bachchan get discharged. "I told everyone in the village back home that I would meet Bachchan. How will I face them if I go back without doing so?" he said.

Pilgrimage

Chainsingh, who works in the Water Department of the MP government, took one month's leave for this "pilgrimage". Chainsingh said, "I call this journey a pilgrimage because Bachchan is my God. That's why I have come here by a cycle rickshaw instead of taking a train. A pilgrimage is supposed to be tough and coming here by train would be like taking the easy way out."

Life on the footpath

The 37-year-old Chainsingh has been camping outside Prateeksha with his rickshaw since Saturday and sleeps on the footpath opposite the bungalow. And, scared that he'll miss Bachchan when he comes home, Chainsingh has not moved from the spot. "The policemen shoo me away but I come back," he smiles. "I have a huge house back home. But for Bachchan, I don't mind staying on the footpath."

And stay he will, till Bachchan gets better.