Son preference is a well-documented phenomenon in India, with a report saying an estimated 500,000 female foetuses are aborted in the country every year. So when Bollywood's first family, the Bachchans, welcomed the birth of a daughter with open arms, they may have given a huge fillip to the girl child.

Nearly a week after the event, the Bachchan family was still gushing about the newborn Tuesday when they finally brought her home from hospital.