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Not often does an actor get approached for the same role by different filmmakers at different points in time! But Aishwarya Rai is no ordinary star, as obviously these movie moguls believe too. She was recently approached by T Series to act in the Hindi remake of ‘Chandramukhi’. Unfortunately, she had to turn it down once again due to date problems.

Says Bhushan Kumar of T Series, “We had approached Aishwarya Rai for the Hindi remake of ‘Chandramukhi’. Unfortunately, her dates could not be worked out.” Akshay Kumar is the other actor in the film, which will be directed by Priyadarshan.

After Hours had earlier reported that Ash had been approached by four filmmakers for the remake the original Malyalam hit. Bangalore-based producer Dwarkesh, Chennai-based P Vasu, Hyderabad-based director Naren Aditya and writer Hyder, and a well-known Mumbai producer had all shown interest in remaking the South hit with Ash. But she had no immediate dates to spare even then, as she was shooting for ‘The Last Legion’ in Russia and had other commitments such as ‘Umrao Jaan’, ‘Dhoom II’ and ‘Akbar-Jodha’.

Ash’s business manager Harii Singh confirms, “Yes, Aishwarya was approached for a film by T Series, but we couldn’t work out the dates this time. However, Ash would definitely like to do a film with them in the future.”

In an unexpected turn of events, after first vehemently denying their relationship, Aishwarya Rai and Abhishek Bachchan are making no effort to hide their affection for each other now. In Chennai for Mani Ratnam’s Guru, the two made a couple of public appearances together. First, they made an appearance together at the cancer ward of a local hospital where they spent time with the children. Just after their return from IIFA in Dubai the two were spotted at Sathyam Cinemas in Chennai where they watched two films back-to-back.

“They seemed to be catching up on a backlog of films they had missed because they sat through two back-to-back shows,” says a source at Sathyam cinema. The two films that they watched were the 7.15 pm show of MI3 and later the 10.15 pm show of X-Men III. “No one disturbed them all through the six hours they spent in the theatre, but that could have something to do with the six bodyguards accompanying them. Abhishek had come to the cinema hall before, but it was Aishwarya’s first visit,” informs the source. Confirming the news, the spokesperson for Sathyam theatre, Amandavalli says, “They came to the cinema hall on June 19 and saw both these films. They seemed excited about watching these films. They didn’t inform us in advance about coming to the theatre. But despite their presence, the crowd did not mob them.”

Apparently, Aishwarya and Abhishek had not bothered to book their seats in advance. “The cinema hall was full and we only had tickets in the H row. But they made no fuss about it. They were surrounded by bodyguards and seemed to enjoy the film. Some of the people did request them for autographs, to which they obliged,” says Amandavalli.

The two were also seen partying at the nightclub Pasha where they danced to ‘Kajra Re’ till the wee hours of the morning. Later they were spotted eating sandwiches at the Subway outlet in the city.

Aishwarya Rai kept her date with Dubai, arriving for the world premiere of ‘Provoked’ at IIFA surrounded by bodyguards and accompanied by her mother Vrinda Rai. The beauty queen, who took a day off from shooting ‘Guru’ in Chennai, also attended a hand print ceremony to mark her presence in Dubai — her second visit to the city in 10 years. “I would have loved to come here earlier, but everything depends on my schedules. I am grateful to Mr Mani Ratnam for adjusting my dates so I could attend the function here.”

Asked if she had any apprehensions about her deglamourised role in ‘Provoked’, she said, “I thought I had quelled such inquiries at the beginning of my career when I made my debut with the Tamil film ‘Iruvar’. Although I must say that a lot of people did tell me, ‘Why are you doing sari-clad roles? You should do more song and dance routines’.”

Ash was all praise for Kiranjie Ahluwalia, on whose life ‘Provoked’ is based. “It was very brave of her to have allowed her story to be told. I think it was a huge responsibility on my shoulders to essay such a role.” Rai agreed to suggestions that it would be good idea to dub the movie in Hindi and release it in India. “I’d only be too happy, but that’s a decision the producers have to take.” As if on cue, producer Murli Manohar, who was sitting next to her, acquiesced.

It is said that when Mani Ratnam wanted to shoot certain portion of Guru in Mumbai, as per the requirement of the script, both Aishwarya and Abhishek refused to shoot in the city. “Mani Sir wanted to shoot certain portion of his film in Mumbai. He needed about ten days for the shoot,” says our source. However, it came as a bolt from the blue when both his stars politely refused to shoot in Mumbai.

“They are apprehensive of mediapersons and photographers hounding them for soundbytes and photographs, and want to avoid the situation,” adds our source. Since the time the media started writing stories about Abhishek and Aishwarya, the two have been trying to keep a low profile. They avoid public appearances and try to shoot for most of their films away from Mumbai.

Incidentally, this attitude of theirs goes back a long way, to the time when the two were shooting for J P Dutta’s Umrao Jaan in Jodhpur. “The song and other indoor sequences of the film could have been shot easily in Mumbai. But Ash and Abhishek asked J P Dutta to complete the entire film in one schedule in Jodhpur,” says our source.

Sanjay Gadhvi’s Dhoom 2 has also been also shot in Brazil. “Aishwarya and Hrithik have some scenes and dance sequences in Mumbai, but all her scenes with Abhishek were shot in Brazil. That is how they have been avoiding getting clicked together,” says our source.

What’s this we hear about Aishwarya Rai not talking to Vidya Balan on the sets of Mani Ratnam’s Guru? Our source told us that both the stars hardly interact on the sets. Most of the time they stay locked up in their respective make-up vans and if they accidentally bump into each other, they do the ignoring act. The reason – “Abhishek was lobbying for Ash for Shaad Ali’s next film Jhoom Barabar Jhoom. But Shaad finalised on Vidya for the role,” says a source. So, while Ash and Abhishek were busy keeping each other company, the Parineeta-star was seen chatting with Madhavan and Mithun Chakraborty. Our sympathies lie with Abhishek, who must have had a tough time keeping both his leading ladies happy.

For all those who thought that Aishwarya Rai would not make it to the IIFA Awards because she is busy shooting for Mani Ratnam’s ‘Guru’ in Chennai, here’s good news. Ash will be attending the world premiere of ‘Provoked’ in Dubai.

Of course, getting permission from director Ratnam wasn’t easy, especially as certain foreign technicians had been specially flown down to work on the film at the time. Jagmohan Mundhra, director of ‘Provoked’, had eagerly wanted his heroine to attend the premiere. Ash too wanted to attend the event and did not want to miss this international platform, where she could promote ‘Provoked’, especially after being accused for not promoting her earlier film ‘Mistress of Spices’

Her manger, Harii Singh informs, “She genuinely could not promote ‘Mistress Of Spices’ because she was shooting in Badami at the time.” This time, however, after Wizcraft International Entertainment Private Ltd (IIFA organisers) requested her to perform and be present for the IIFA in Dubai, Ash too requested Ratnam.

The director gave in this time and has allowed her to attend IIFA on June 15 and 16. But as Ash needed to be present in Dubai on June 14 when ‘Provoked’ would be premiered, she decided not to perform at the awards’ night. Instead, she will only attend the premiere of ‘Provoked’. Singh confirms, “Ash will be attending the premiere of ‘Provoked’ because she is professionally committed. She will fly from Chennai in the morning and return to Chennai in the night.” Ash will resume shooting for Guru, the next day, forfeiting a huge fee that a star of her calibre would have got from performing at the IIFA.

While JP Dutta’s ‘Umrao Jaan’ is one of the most awaited movies of this year, film buffs are probably wondering if it will live up to Muzaffar Ali’s ‘Umrao Jaan’. And more importantly, if Aishwarya Rai, who’s playing the title role, will match up to Rekha’s amazing performance in the original version? “Of course,” says director JP Dutta, “Otherwise why would I take her in the movie? There is a certain timelessness about Ash that is vital to her character in ‘Umrao Jaan’.”
However, JP makes it clear that he was not inspired by Muzaffar Ali’s version of the film. “My father OP Dutta’s attempt to make a movie on a courtesan’s life has inspired me. He couldn’t complete it, so I decided to finished his work,” he says, reiterating that the film is entirely based on his vision.

For someone who’s specialised in ‘macho’ films, JP says making a woman centric film wasn’t difficult at all. “My mother is a strong woman and women in my films have always had a lot of dignity, like Smita Patil in ‘Ghulami’, Dimple Kapadia in ‘Batwara’, Meenakshi Sheshadri in ‘Kshatriya’ and Kareena Kapoor in ‘Refugee,” he reminds.

He clarifies that he’s never ‘used’ women for commercial gains at the box office. “I have never stooped to cheapen women. Just because my films dealt with weapons, war and patriotism, doesn’t mean that I haven’t given my heroines the respect due to them.”

As far as the making of ‘Umrao Jaan’ is concerned, JP says it was a piece of cake as compared to his earlier films ‘LOC’ and ‘Kshatriya’, which involved a lot of hardships for his unit members and himself. “However, ‘Umrao Jaan’ is more intense and the effort was in making sure that we get the performances and the music right,” he says.

The buzz about Bollywood‘s hottest romance in the film industry has been quite the topic of the season for its on-off-on-off status. While some rumours claim that actors Aishwarya Rai and Abhishek Bachchan are definitely ‘together’, some part of the grapevine is crackling with the fact that the couple has cooled off because of their kundalis not matching and their families allegedly not in agreement to the match. However, we spotted Ash at the Mumbai domestic airport early Monday morning at about 6 am in a crisp white shirt and blue jeans. Apparently, as she approached an airline’s check-in counter, who should walk out of the airport’s waiting lounge but none other than apparent ‘boyfriend’ Abhishek Bachchan! He was also dressed in a white shirt and blue jeans and was obviously waiting for her to board their flight together, adds the source. “They looked very much in love and there was definitely something going on there,” informs the source, adding, “The moment he approached her, Ash leaned against him.” The actors are working on two films currently and were in the city briefly as they have been travelling a lot due to hectic shooting schedules.

Designer Neeta Lulla definitely knows where her loyalty lies. So while one section has criticised Aishwarya’s western avatar at Cannes, Neeta — who had designed two sarees for her sojourn — is quick to support her. “People need to understand that Ash is an international figure and an ambassador for L’Oreal. So obviously, she had to don a western look,” she justifies.

She’s also quick to note that she harbours no ill feelings towards Ash. “Ash and I share a great rapport. Why should I feel bad? Just because she didn’t wear my designs at Cannes? She’ll wear the sarees later at some other red carpet function,” retorts Neeta, reiterating that the general mood at Cannes required Ash to go western.

Neeta, who has also designed for Ash in Jagmohan Mundhra’s ‘Provoked’, says she has yet to hear feedback. “Not many have seen it yet. But I’m waiting to know what people think of Ash’s look in the film,” she says.

If that’s not enough, she’s just back from Vancouver where she was actively involved in the launch of ‘Crossover Bollywood Se’ — the designer store that houses collections of over 21 renowned designers from India. “This is the second of the chain, the first one being in Dubai.

But it’s definitely one of the biggest of its kind in North America.”
And what was it like to work with Suniel Shetty, who has partnered with Ranee Khera for this store? “Suniel has always been fun to work with. He may have had many preoccupations, but he was always on the floor to take stock of things,” enthuses Neeta.