She rules the hearts of millions and is touted as one of the most beautiful actresses ever to grace Indian cinema. Aishwarya Rai, who turns 33 Wednesday, returns to the marquee after a long hiatus - playing a courtesan in "Umrao Jaan" and an oomph girl in "Dhoom 2".
The actress, who is said to be dating Abhishek Bachchan, will reportedly announce her engagement on her birthday. According to insiders, Abhishek's ailing grandmother Teji Bachchan is eager to see him married, and the couple is said to be planning to tie the knot early next year.
But Aishwarya, who is apparently attending family dinners and get-togethers at the Bachchan household, is tight-lipped about her relationship.
She is currently busy promoting her two films. In Yash Raj Films' upcoming "Dhoom 2", Aishwarya plays a hi-tech thief along with Hrithik Roshan, while in J.P. Dutta's "Umrao Jaan", a screen adaptation of Mirza Mohammed Haadi Ruswa's Urdu novel "Umrao Jaan Ada" and a tragic historical, she plays a courtesan.
"When Dutta narrated the script to me, I told him that if you get Aishwarya to play the role of Umrao Jaan only then make the film, else drop it. According to me, the character requires an enigmatic quality to it. This is what I feel Aishwarya's personality symbolises," said well-known lyricist Javed Akhtar on the actress.
"Hers is a personality that is a kind of riddle. Even Dutta felt the same way and now after watching the finished product I feel that no one else could have made it."
However, there is a notion among some that she is not a good actress and has hogged the limelight mainly for her looks, and her affairs with co-stars Salman Khan and Viveik Oberoi.
"Aishwarya is not known as a bankable actor. People think of her as wooden. She can't emote. Dutta is not only a good director; he is also a good technician. He knows how to extract work from his artist. We are confident that Aishwarya must have played the role convincingly," New Delhi-based distributor Sanjay Mehta told IANS.
"Umrao Jaan" and "Dhoom 2" will put to test her versatility. Critics believe that so far only Sanjay Leela Bhansali has been able to extract the best out of her in his hit "Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam" and "Devdas", India's official entry for the Oscars in 2003.
Her being crowned Miss World in 1994 made her entry into films smooth. She was flooded with offers but chose to start her acting career with Mani Ratnam's Tamil film "Iruvar".
Her performance was critically appreciated and she soon forayed into Bollywood with Rahul Rawail's "Aur Pyar Ho Gaya" opposite Bobby Deol. The film not only fetched her a Filmfare award for best debut but she had top-notch directors making a beeline for her house.
She was soon signed up by one of the most talented filmmakers in the industry, Bhansali, for "Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam". In this love triangle, which also had Ajay Devgan, she was paired for the first time with Salman Khan.
Their onscreen chemistry was electrifying and the film was widely appreciated and fetched her Filmfare's best actress award.
She started receiving offers from some of the biggest names in the industry - Subhash Ghai, Yash Chopra and Mansoor Khan.
Chopra signed her up with Shah Rukh Khan and Amitabh Bachchan in "Mohabattein". The film didn't do well but the audience liked her pairing with Shah Rukh. Bhansali cast the two in his magnum opus "Devdas" that went on to become a major hit.
Post-"Devdas" Aishwarya shifted her focus to Hollywood. Her first international venture was Gurinder Chadha's "Bride & Prejudice". The film was a flop but it didn't stop her from getting new projects.
Some of her prestigious international projects include - "Provoked", "The Last Legion" opposite Colin Firth and Sir Ben Kingsley and "Chaos".
While scaling new heights in Bollywood and international films, Aishwarya never crossed the line in terms of skin show on screen.
"I am not comfortable about kissing or nudity. I am clear about what I want. I'll work only with good directors who'll offer me two-dimensional roles. The director and the role are most important.
"Women in the industry have been exploited very often but there are some actors who believe that the short cut to stardom is through nudity or exposure. Such success is, in fact, very short-lived. I have never done a kissing scene nor do I have intentions to," she is quoted as saying.
Since she set foot in filmdom, the India media has been sometimes nasty to her but she hasn't bothered much about what they thought or wrote about her.
"Someone asked me why I'm politically correct, even when people hit out so openly at me. But the truth is I've never been brought up to behave any other way. I can't say anything hurtful about anyone. I just don't believe in saying mean things. I won't feel good doing that. This is the way I am.
"I'm amazed how many people feel good hitting out at me. They're welcome to do it. Earlier, they had more leeway to deny their indiscretions in print. But now on television they look pretty ridiculous denying what they say," she has said.
Apart from promoting a wide variety of disparate brands, Aishwarya has many firsts to her credit - she has the distinction of being the first Indian actor to be a member of the jury at the Cannes Film Festival and also appeared on Oprah Winfrey's talk show.
About her appearance on Winfrey's show, she told the media: "I never thought I'd actually be meeting her -- and that too, on her show! I was extremely happy to be on her show. I admire her."
She also appeared on another prestigious American talk show "60 Minutes".
She has graced the covers of international magazines like TIME, which placed her on their list of the "100 Most Influential People in the World Today". Aishwarya has also been termed as one of the most beautiful women by TIME magazine.
Aishwarya, whose last Hindi release was "Shabd" that sank without a trace at the box office, is hoping to hit the bull's eye with "Umrao Jaan", "Dhoom 2" and Mani Rathnam's "Guru". While "Umrao Jaan" releases next Friday, "Dhoom 2" is set for a Nov 24 release and "Guru" in December.
Source: Glamsham
Monday, October 30, 2006
Ash-Abhishek to marry next year
According to Kannada newspaper ‘Vijayakarnataka’, Aishwarya and Abhishek will tie the knot sometime in February, 2007 and Aishwarya will officially announce the news on her birthday, November 1.
The story was revealed to the newspaper by Bachchan family's astrologer Chandrashekhara Swamiji. According to him the year 2006 will be unlucky for the married couple and so he advised Aishwarya and Abhishek to marry in 2007.
There is, however, no official confirmation of the reported wedding. The two stars, who have been romantically linked since over an year now, have consistently refused to confirm media speculation on the issue.
Past media reports have suggested that the couple have kept their wedding plans in abeyance pending a nod from the
Bachchan family, something that has so far not been forthcoming. In the recent past Ash has made great efforts to assuage any misgivings that the Bachchan family may have harbored about her abilities as a homemaker. Her efforts at winning the hearts of the Bachchan family include a hospital visit to Abhishek's grandmother Teji Bachchan and frequent visits to the Bachchan home. Recently she and her family spent their Diwali with the Bachchans.
According to the report, Aishwarya (born in Dhanu Rashi) and Abhishek (born in Kumbha Rashi) marriage was likely to face roadblocks in 2006 problems but, from October 27, when the planetary positions change, both Ash and Abhi will have the support of Jupiter (Guru-bruhaspathi).
A horoscope match was confirmed in Nov 2005 when Amitabh's brother, Ajitabh, visited a priest in Bangalore in the company of Abhishek, at the behest of Teji Bachchan.
It is reported that the ailing Teji Bachchan is very keen to see her grandson wed.
However it still remains to be seen how much truth lies behind all these rumours. Aishwarya has always been tightlipped about the relationship while Abhishek has managed to evade the topic whenever he has confronted the issue.
Is it another publicity gimmick ahead of the release of Aishwarya and Abhishek starrer movies - Dhoom 2 & Umrao Jaan?
Source: Santabanta
The story was revealed to the newspaper by Bachchan family's astrologer Chandrashekhara Swamiji. According to him the year 2006 will be unlucky for the married couple and so he advised Aishwarya and Abhishek to marry in 2007.
There is, however, no official confirmation of the reported wedding. The two stars, who have been romantically linked since over an year now, have consistently refused to confirm media speculation on the issue.
Past media reports have suggested that the couple have kept their wedding plans in abeyance pending a nod from the
Bachchan family, something that has so far not been forthcoming. In the recent past Ash has made great efforts to assuage any misgivings that the Bachchan family may have harbored about her abilities as a homemaker. Her efforts at winning the hearts of the Bachchan family include a hospital visit to Abhishek's grandmother Teji Bachchan and frequent visits to the Bachchan home. Recently she and her family spent their Diwali with the Bachchans.
According to the report, Aishwarya (born in Dhanu Rashi) and Abhishek (born in Kumbha Rashi) marriage was likely to face roadblocks in 2006 problems but, from October 27, when the planetary positions change, both Ash and Abhi will have the support of Jupiter (Guru-bruhaspathi).
A horoscope match was confirmed in Nov 2005 when Amitabh's brother, Ajitabh, visited a priest in Bangalore in the company of Abhishek, at the behest of Teji Bachchan.
It is reported that the ailing Teji Bachchan is very keen to see her grandson wed.
However it still remains to be seen how much truth lies behind all these rumours. Aishwarya has always been tightlipped about the relationship while Abhishek has managed to evade the topic whenever he has confronted the issue.
Is it another publicity gimmick ahead of the release of Aishwarya and Abhishek starrer movies - Dhoom 2 & Umrao Jaan?
Source: Santabanta
Monday, October 23, 2006
Jodha Akbar in trouble
Ashutosh Gowarikar 's ambitious project Jodha Akbar that stars the gorgeous Aishwarya Rai and the handsome Hrithik Roshan in the title roles, has run into trouble.The shooting of the film that was supposed to commence in coming weeks has met with huge resistance from Kshatriya segment of society, especially those belonging to the princely states of Rajasthan.
The film has Hrithik and Ash in the roles of Akbar, the great Mughal emperor and Jodhabhai, a Hindu princess married with Akbar, respectively.
Surajmal Singh, the chief of Rajput youths in Rajasthan, has been resenting Jodhabhai's portrayal in the wrong frame her and characterization in films and TV channels in the past.
According to him, there has been a big misconception about Jodhabhai and it has been repeated many times by the entertainment and media world. He adds that there are no proofs of Jodhabhai's marriage with Akbar in historical records.
In fact, it was Pannabhai (the look alike of Jodhabhai) who was married with emperor Akbar and not Jodhabhai.
The agitated Rajputs have been asking the filmmakers to prove the relevant facts before commencing the film's shooting in Rajasthan.
These Rajputs have threatened to take legal action against the producers if they fail to abide by the historical facts about Akbar and Jodhabhai.
Source: ApunKaChoice
Saturday, October 21, 2006
Ash like you have never seen before
Yash Raj films' Dhoom simply turned around the John Abraham's career yet producer Aditya decided to rope in a fresh appeal for Dhoom 2. He went ahead and roped in even bigger stars like Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai for the role of the villains.
So far this year, Ash fans in India have had to be content with seeing the Bollywood beauty on the small screen endorsing brands or gracing events such as the Cannes film festival. Rai's only film released in 2006, Provoked has still to do the rounds in India.
However, despair not. The seemingly interminable wait to see the enchanting Bollyood beauty, larger than life on the silver screen, is now nearing its end. Incidently, the wait was not because Rai had too few assignment on hand but because she had too many of them.
Speaking about the diversity of her roles in the forthcoming films Aishwarya told a TV channel, "What's nice about these three films coming up is that each character is distinctly different. So while Umrao Jaan is a courtesan a lot more ornate visually while Dhoom is very contemporary and racy...something that you have not seen me do.
The actor will soon be seen in four big ticket films in quick succession. The bonanza starts with JP Dutta's Umrao Jaan. Next in line are Yash Raj Films Dhoom 2, followed by Mani Ratnam's Guru. Finally, we will see her on 19 Jan 2007 in the $67 million Hollywood period action adventure The Last Legion, distributed by MGM.
What is interesting about Rai forthcoming films is that other than herself, nothing else is common in them. The films belong to different genres, her roles in them are diverse and the filmmakers that made them are a breed apart. All indications that Rai is now a matured actor.
Source: Santabanta
So far this year, Ash fans in India have had to be content with seeing the Bollywood beauty on the small screen endorsing brands or gracing events such as the Cannes film festival. Rai's only film released in 2006, Provoked has still to do the rounds in India.
However, despair not. The seemingly interminable wait to see the enchanting Bollyood beauty, larger than life on the silver screen, is now nearing its end. Incidently, the wait was not because Rai had too few assignment on hand but because she had too many of them.
Speaking about the diversity of her roles in the forthcoming films Aishwarya told a TV channel, "What's nice about these three films coming up is that each character is distinctly different. So while Umrao Jaan is a courtesan a lot more ornate visually while Dhoom is very contemporary and racy...something that you have not seen me do.
The actor will soon be seen in four big ticket films in quick succession. The bonanza starts with JP Dutta's Umrao Jaan. Next in line are Yash Raj Films Dhoom 2, followed by Mani Ratnam's Guru. Finally, we will see her on 19 Jan 2007 in the $67 million Hollywood period action adventure The Last Legion, distributed by MGM.
What is interesting about Rai forthcoming films is that other than herself, nothing else is common in them. The films belong to different genres, her roles in them are diverse and the filmmakers that made them are a breed apart. All indications that Rai is now a matured actor.
Source: Santabanta
Monday, October 16, 2006
Aishwarya & John have the quality
They've never been paired before. "But if you close your eyes you can see how good John Abraham and Aishwarya Rai look together," says producer Gaurang Doshi who's all set to bring together the golden couple in his new magical mystical romantic musical Happy Birthday.
To be directed by Sriram Raghavan who earlier did Ram Gopal Varma's Saif-Urmila starrer Ek Hasina Thi, Happy Birthday starts shooting in January.
Says Gaurang, "We had signed John about a year back. But we we needed a strong charismatic and popular leading lady. Because Happy Birthday isn't about just the male protagonist. When Ash said yes, everything fell into place. She has never been seen with John before. They look like Adonis and Venus together."
John is on the look-out for new leading ladies to be paired opposite. In Water he's paired with Lisa Ray, in Baabul with Rani Mukherjee and in Salaam-e-Ishq with Vidya Balan for the first time.
Says Gaurang, "The catch-line for Happy Birthday will be, 'Those Who Don't Believe In Magic Will Never Find It.' We needed a magical pair. John and Ash have the quality."
Adds John Abraham, "I think Aishwarya and I will make a good team. It's a great script. Sriram is a super-director, and we're excited."
The music score is being done by Vishal-Shekhar.
Source: Santabanta
To be directed by Sriram Raghavan who earlier did Ram Gopal Varma's Saif-Urmila starrer Ek Hasina Thi, Happy Birthday starts shooting in January.
Says Gaurang, "We had signed John about a year back. But we we needed a strong charismatic and popular leading lady. Because Happy Birthday isn't about just the male protagonist. When Ash said yes, everything fell into place. She has never been seen with John before. They look like Adonis and Venus together."
John is on the look-out for new leading ladies to be paired opposite. In Water he's paired with Lisa Ray, in Baabul with Rani Mukherjee and in Salaam-e-Ishq with Vidya Balan for the first time.
Says Gaurang, "The catch-line for Happy Birthday will be, 'Those Who Don't Believe In Magic Will Never Find It.' We needed a magical pair. John and Ash have the quality."
Adds John Abraham, "I think Aishwarya and I will make a good team. It's a great script. Sriram is a super-director, and we're excited."
The music score is being done by Vishal-Shekhar.
Source: Santabanta
Umrao Jaan - A woman of many talents
How does one describe 'Umrao Jaan'? Story of a courtesan. An emotional journey of a girl child to a most desired woman. A tale of a highly literate person. A costume drama. Producer-director JP Dutta packs this and a lot more in his take on Mirza Hadi Ruswa's book 'Umrao Jaan Ada'.
It has been a common saying - If Lucknow was the heart of Avadh, Umrao was the heartbeat! Set in 19th century, 'Umrao Jaan' is a journey of an eight year old girl called Amiran. Hailing from a lower class family, she was a daughter of a sweeper, a 'jamadar', who was employed at 'Bahu Begum ka Makhbara' in Faizabad [now in UP]. He was a simple man with limited desires and a supporter of truth. This righteous trait of him landed him in trouble since his statement against Dilawar Khan, a criminal, changed the course of life.
Dilawar Khan was imprisoned but on return he kidnapped young Amiran and sold her to Khannum Sahib [Shabana Azmi], owner of a 'kotha' in Lucknow. Though 'kothas' have their own meaning when it comes to films, the one that we are mentioning from the era of 19th century was a hub for cultural activities. There was education, literature, poetry, styling, classical music, dance....everything that could make an individual a master in arts.
Amiran too became one such literate person and was named Umrao [Aishwarya Rai] by Khannum. She learnt everything in the confines of the kotha - living up in stlye from Bua Hussaini, education from Maulvi Sahib, music and dance from Kathak Acharya and many more skills, including poetry, from Bismillah, Khurshid and Gauhar. Also 'Ada' was her signatory name due to her proficiency over writing and presenting poetry.
Soon Umrao Jaan Ada was a name to reckon with and the entire Lucknow was bowled over by her beauty, charms and skills. Every man wanted to watch her sing and dance but Khannum's kotha was only for the elite. Also for Umrao it was only one man whose attention she desired - Nawab Sultan [Abhishek Bachchan]. A nawab who had luxury of riches at his feet, even he reciprocated to her feelings and was equally in love with her. Meanwhile Faiz Ali [Suneil Shetty], a hardened outlaw, too was in love with Umrao Jaan. Even his love was true as he cared for her in all earnest in spite of the world recognizing him as a dacoit.
Will Umrao Jaan indeed get true love? Would she be able to live a life with her Nawab forever? Will Faiz let everything go away from him so easily?
Will Umrao's dream of her own house and family be fulfilled?
Also starring Divya Dutta, Himani Shivpuri, Puru Rajkumar, Ayesha Jhulka and Kulbhushan Kharbanda in key roles, 'Umrao Jaan' boasts of a great crew in the form of dialogues by O.P. Jutta, art by Bijon Das Gupta, lyrics by Javed Akhtar and music by Anu Malik.
'Umrao Jaan' is coming to take your breath away on November 3, 2006.
Source: Indiaglitz
It has been a common saying - If Lucknow was the heart of Avadh, Umrao was the heartbeat! Set in 19th century, 'Umrao Jaan' is a journey of an eight year old girl called Amiran. Hailing from a lower class family, she was a daughter of a sweeper, a 'jamadar', who was employed at 'Bahu Begum ka Makhbara' in Faizabad [now in UP]. He was a simple man with limited desires and a supporter of truth. This righteous trait of him landed him in trouble since his statement against Dilawar Khan, a criminal, changed the course of life.
Dilawar Khan was imprisoned but on return he kidnapped young Amiran and sold her to Khannum Sahib [Shabana Azmi], owner of a 'kotha' in Lucknow. Though 'kothas' have their own meaning when it comes to films, the one that we are mentioning from the era of 19th century was a hub for cultural activities. There was education, literature, poetry, styling, classical music, dance....everything that could make an individual a master in arts.
Amiran too became one such literate person and was named Umrao [Aishwarya Rai] by Khannum. She learnt everything in the confines of the kotha - living up in stlye from Bua Hussaini, education from Maulvi Sahib, music and dance from Kathak Acharya and many more skills, including poetry, from Bismillah, Khurshid and Gauhar. Also 'Ada' was her signatory name due to her proficiency over writing and presenting poetry.
Soon Umrao Jaan Ada was a name to reckon with and the entire Lucknow was bowled over by her beauty, charms and skills. Every man wanted to watch her sing and dance but Khannum's kotha was only for the elite. Also for Umrao it was only one man whose attention she desired - Nawab Sultan [Abhishek Bachchan]. A nawab who had luxury of riches at his feet, even he reciprocated to her feelings and was equally in love with her. Meanwhile Faiz Ali [Suneil Shetty], a hardened outlaw, too was in love with Umrao Jaan. Even his love was true as he cared for her in all earnest in spite of the world recognizing him as a dacoit.
Will Umrao Jaan indeed get true love? Would she be able to live a life with her Nawab forever? Will Faiz let everything go away from him so easily?
Will Umrao's dream of her own house and family be fulfilled?
Also starring Divya Dutta, Himani Shivpuri, Puru Rajkumar, Ayesha Jhulka and Kulbhushan Kharbanda in key roles, 'Umrao Jaan' boasts of a great crew in the form of dialogues by O.P. Jutta, art by Bijon Das Gupta, lyrics by Javed Akhtar and music by Anu Malik.
'Umrao Jaan' is coming to take your breath away on November 3, 2006.
Source: Indiaglitz
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
Aishwarya, John abraham in Happy Birthday
Here’s a casting coup!
John Abraham and Aishwarya Rai have been teamed for the first time in Gaurang Doshi’s HAPPY BIRTHDAY, to be directed by Sriram Raghavan. Gaurang has a penchant for multi-starrers [AANKHEN and DEEWAAR] and HAPPY BIRTHDAY will have its share of stars too. While Gaurang and Sriram are in the process of finalizing one more leading lady, Paresh Rawal has been roped in for a pivotal role in the film.
There’s a big surprise too, but Gaurang wants it to be just that -- a surprise -- when people watch the film. Okay, let’s give you a clue: The icon will enact one of the key roles in the enterprise.
What’s HAPPY BIRTHDAY all about? “All I can reveal right now is its tagline -- ‘Those who don’t believe in magic, will never find it’,” he smiles. So it’s all about magic? “Not at all! It’s a new genre, completely commercial, a complete dhamaal,” he isn’t in the mood to divulge more.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY begins shooting early next year and the makers are hopeful of releasing it in August 2007. Vishal-Shekhar are scoring its music.
Source: IndiaFM
John Abraham and Aishwarya Rai have been teamed for the first time in Gaurang Doshi’s HAPPY BIRTHDAY, to be directed by Sriram Raghavan. Gaurang has a penchant for multi-starrers [AANKHEN and DEEWAAR] and HAPPY BIRTHDAY will have its share of stars too. While Gaurang and Sriram are in the process of finalizing one more leading lady, Paresh Rawal has been roped in for a pivotal role in the film.
There’s a big surprise too, but Gaurang wants it to be just that -- a surprise -- when people watch the film. Okay, let’s give you a clue: The icon will enact one of the key roles in the enterprise.
What’s HAPPY BIRTHDAY all about? “All I can reveal right now is its tagline -- ‘Those who don’t believe in magic, will never find it’,” he smiles. So it’s all about magic? “Not at all! It’s a new genre, completely commercial, a complete dhamaal,” he isn’t in the mood to divulge more.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY begins shooting early next year and the makers are hopeful of releasing it in August 2007. Vishal-Shekhar are scoring its music.
Source: IndiaFM
EXCLUSIVE - Song listing of DHOOM 2
Pritam's music for 'Dhoom 2' is the most awaited before the year coming to a close would be an stating the obvious. Before the arrival of the music on stands, we bring to you an EXCLUSIVE look at the songs written by Sameer.
1. Crazy Kiya Re [Sunidhi Chauhan]
2. Touch Me [KK, Alisha Chinai]
3. My Name Is Ali [Sonu Nigam, Bipasha Basu]
4. Dil Laga Na [Sukhbir, Soham Chakrabarthy, Jolly Mukherjee, Mahalaxmi Iyer, Suzanne]
5. Crazy Remix [Sunidhi Chauhan Remixed By: Bunty Rajput]
6. Dhoom Again [Vishal Dadlani, Dominique Cerejo, Lyrics: Asif Ali Baig]
The album is expected to break records on the very first day of the release i.e. October 19th.
Source: IndiaGlitz
1. Crazy Kiya Re [Sunidhi Chauhan]
2. Touch Me [KK, Alisha Chinai]
3. My Name Is Ali [Sonu Nigam, Bipasha Basu]
4. Dil Laga Na [Sukhbir, Soham Chakrabarthy, Jolly Mukherjee, Mahalaxmi Iyer, Suzanne]
5. Crazy Remix [Sunidhi Chauhan Remixed By: Bunty Rajput]
6. Dhoom Again [Vishal Dadlani, Dominique Cerejo, Lyrics: Asif Ali Baig]
The album is expected to break records on the very first day of the release i.e. October 19th.
Source: IndiaGlitz
Monday, October 09, 2006
I'm blessed, humbled and thrilled: Aishwarya Rai
The gorgeous Aishwarya Rai talks about her forthcoming releases and Abhishek Bachchan .
In a very amiable mood, as she unveiled Nakshatra’s new range of diamonds in a suburban Mumbai hotel earlier this week, Ash also spoke about her passion for the precious stone, her fluctuating weight.
On giving Bollywood a miss for almost a year, Ash is back with three big-budget releases: Umrao Jaan , Dhoom 2 and Guru .
On why people are crazy about Ash even though many of her films have bombed at the box office, Ash said, “It is wonderful to be loved and I’m blessed, humbled and thrilled. My job is my passion and I think people just appreciate that.”
On being busy of late, the former Miss World said, “I travelled extensively for the last one year and it’s probably the longest interval that I’ve been away from home. Since the last couple of years, my producers have been following a strict start-to-finish schedule of shooting, which meant long spells at locations.”
Talking about her much publicized fitness regime for ‘Dhoom 2’, Ash said, “‘The Dhoom 2’ schedule was split up into two parts. In the mean time, we had to complete ‘Guru’, for which I had to put on weight. When the shooting for ‘Dhoom 2’ resumed, I followed a fitness regime for about three weeks. I’m fortunate that my body responded to it. I don’t believe in strict dieting and starvation and have always indulged my sweet tooth.”
Talking about her forthcoming films Ash stated, “I want to reiterate that ‘Umrao Jaan’ is not just the story of a bygone era. It’s what so many girls go through even now. What I like most about ‘Dhoom 2’ is the way the mannerisms of the characters have brought out. The characters are not just modern, hot and racy.
On the general perception about Indian films in the international arena, Ash said, “There is immense curiosity and familiarity about our films. They are not just talking about the duration of our films and our musicals, but also about the content of our films.”
And last but not the least, Ash had this to say about Abhishek: “It’s because you are seeing us together on screen more often that people think there is something more to our professional relationship. Hrithik Roshan and Abhishek are the two actors with whom I’m paired in all my forthcoming releases.”
Source: ApunKaChoice
In a very amiable mood, as she unveiled Nakshatra’s new range of diamonds in a suburban Mumbai hotel earlier this week, Ash also spoke about her passion for the precious stone, her fluctuating weight.
On giving Bollywood a miss for almost a year, Ash is back with three big-budget releases: Umrao Jaan , Dhoom 2 and Guru .
On why people are crazy about Ash even though many of her films have bombed at the box office, Ash said, “It is wonderful to be loved and I’m blessed, humbled and thrilled. My job is my passion and I think people just appreciate that.”
On being busy of late, the former Miss World said, “I travelled extensively for the last one year and it’s probably the longest interval that I’ve been away from home. Since the last couple of years, my producers have been following a strict start-to-finish schedule of shooting, which meant long spells at locations.”
Talking about her much publicized fitness regime for ‘Dhoom 2’, Ash said, “‘The Dhoom 2’ schedule was split up into two parts. In the mean time, we had to complete ‘Guru’, for which I had to put on weight. When the shooting for ‘Dhoom 2’ resumed, I followed a fitness regime for about three weeks. I’m fortunate that my body responded to it. I don’t believe in strict dieting and starvation and have always indulged my sweet tooth.”
Talking about her forthcoming films Ash stated, “I want to reiterate that ‘Umrao Jaan’ is not just the story of a bygone era. It’s what so many girls go through even now. What I like most about ‘Dhoom 2’ is the way the mannerisms of the characters have brought out. The characters are not just modern, hot and racy.
On the general perception about Indian films in the international arena, Ash said, “There is immense curiosity and familiarity about our films. They are not just talking about the duration of our films and our musicals, but also about the content of our films.”
And last but not the least, Ash had this to say about Abhishek: “It’s because you are seeing us together on screen more often that people think there is something more to our professional relationship. Hrithik Roshan and Abhishek are the two actors with whom I’m paired in all my forthcoming releases.”
Source: ApunKaChoice
Saturday, October 07, 2006
Aishwarya Rai`s different strokes
Subtlety, strength and commitment are the traits Aishwarya Rai believes she shares with Nakshatra diamond jewellery, a brand she has been associated with for about six years. Elegantly dressed in a black and silver sari, she maintained a cheerful mood before unveiling the new collection for the season.
Accompanied by her mother Vrinda Rai and business manager Hari Singh, Rai belies the belief that Indian actresses cannot soar once they touch 30. Proof of that are her diverse roles in equally varied films, beginning with JP Dutta’s Umrao Jaan which releases next month, after which she will be seen in Dhoom 2 and Guru.
The role of the courtesan is one every actress would covet. But Rai is “not apprehensive about comparisons because I have been down that road before with Devdas.”
She further adds, “It’s an honour for me to be chosen from among my fraternity to play a role so beautifully and convincingly essayed by the amazing Rekha. I’m thankful to JP saab for giving me the opportunity of portraying Umrao Jaan.”
Considering that she’s known to be selective about her work, but also to be exceedingly well prepared when she arrives on sets, what preparations did she make to portray Umrao Jaan?
“The credit for research goes to JP saab,” she says. “He’s a wonderful director and a visionary. Besides, he has a great understanding of music, as is evident in the way he has used it in the film.”
Keeping in mind Dutta’s male-dominated war films like Border, Refugee and LOC, was he a strict disciplinarian on her sets or did he pamper her during filming? “I knew that was coming,” she says before dismissing both.
“In fact Shabanaji, Ayesha Jhulka, Divya Dutta, Himaniji (Shivpuri) and I used to tease JP saab about it. But even in his male-dominated films, as you call them, women had strong characters and important roles to play.”
On a final note, one can’t resist asking her when her special diamond ring is due. Rai bursts into laughter and replies: “That’s for you to tell me. You guys know better.”
Source: Hindustan Times
Accompanied by her mother Vrinda Rai and business manager Hari Singh, Rai belies the belief that Indian actresses cannot soar once they touch 30. Proof of that are her diverse roles in equally varied films, beginning with JP Dutta’s Umrao Jaan which releases next month, after which she will be seen in Dhoom 2 and Guru.
The role of the courtesan is one every actress would covet. But Rai is “not apprehensive about comparisons because I have been down that road before with Devdas.”
She further adds, “It’s an honour for me to be chosen from among my fraternity to play a role so beautifully and convincingly essayed by the amazing Rekha. I’m thankful to JP saab for giving me the opportunity of portraying Umrao Jaan.”
Considering that she’s known to be selective about her work, but also to be exceedingly well prepared when she arrives on sets, what preparations did she make to portray Umrao Jaan?
“The credit for research goes to JP saab,” she says. “He’s a wonderful director and a visionary. Besides, he has a great understanding of music, as is evident in the way he has used it in the film.”
Keeping in mind Dutta’s male-dominated war films like Border, Refugee and LOC, was he a strict disciplinarian on her sets or did he pamper her during filming? “I knew that was coming,” she says before dismissing both.
“In fact Shabanaji, Ayesha Jhulka, Divya Dutta, Himaniji (Shivpuri) and I used to tease JP saab about it. But even in his male-dominated films, as you call them, women had strong characters and important roles to play.”
On a final note, one can’t resist asking her when her special diamond ring is due. Rai bursts into laughter and replies: “That’s for you to tell me. You guys know better.”
Source: Hindustan Times
Friday, October 06, 2006
Ash-Abhishek in Yash Raj's next?
The audience will perhaps have an overdose of Aishwarya Rai and Abhishek Bachchan this year. They have a spate of films lined up. They will soon be seen in UMRAO JAAN, DHOOM 2, GURU and SARKAR 2. Looks like the smashing jodi is all set to rule hearts this Diwali. Well not only that, their fans are in for yet another treat! If the grapevine is to be believed, they have signed another film together. Yash Raj's next venture to be directed by an in-house debutant will see them sizzle again. However Aishwarya's Business Manager, Harii Singh said that he was not aware of any such news.
But for now keep your eyes glued to UMRAO JAAN and DHOOM 2 that has them in diametrically different looks!
Incidentally Abhishek Bachchan has been roped in as the brand ambassador for BIG FM Chennai, radio station. The ADAG Adlabs radio venture will take off in Chennai and Hyderabad next week. South starlet Asin is the female brand ambassador.
Source: Bollywood Trade News Network
But for now keep your eyes glued to UMRAO JAAN and DHOOM 2 that has them in diametrically different looks!
Incidentally Abhishek Bachchan has been roped in as the brand ambassador for BIG FM Chennai, radio station. The ADAG Adlabs radio venture will take off in Chennai and Hyderabad next week. South starlet Asin is the female brand ambassador.
Source: Bollywood Trade News Network
Thursday, October 05, 2006
Aishwarya, Abhishek speak cautiously about their relationship!
Aishwarya Rai and Abhishek Bachchan have kept their fans guessing whether the relationship between them is just friendship or something more.
Trust Aishwarya to be tightlipped and Abhishek to be diplomatic when answering the questions regarding their relationship. In a recent TV interview, the two spoke about each other, but in very cautiously chosen words.
Ash said she and Abhi have grown to be 'very good friends' who are 'very comfortable working with each other'. Ash added that she shares 'a wonderful camaraderie' with Abhishek.
Abhishek, on the other hand, called Ash 'a very close friend' with whom 'it is always a pleasure to work.'
He also took a jab at the media by insisting that the private lives of actors should be left to themselves and should not become grist for rumour mills.
Ash and Abhi will soon be seen in two movies : J P Dutta's 'Umrao Jaan' and Mani Ratnam's 'Guru'. They will also work together in Ram Gopal Varma's 'Sarkar 2'.
Source: ApunKaChoice
Trust Aishwarya to be tightlipped and Abhishek to be diplomatic when answering the questions regarding their relationship. In a recent TV interview, the two spoke about each other, but in very cautiously chosen words.
Ash said she and Abhi have grown to be 'very good friends' who are 'very comfortable working with each other'. Ash added that she shares 'a wonderful camaraderie' with Abhishek.
Abhishek, on the other hand, called Ash 'a very close friend' with whom 'it is always a pleasure to work.'
He also took a jab at the media by insisting that the private lives of actors should be left to themselves and should not become grist for rumour mills.
Ash and Abhi will soon be seen in two movies : J P Dutta's 'Umrao Jaan' and Mani Ratnam's 'Guru'. They will also work together in Ram Gopal Varma's 'Sarkar 2'.
Source: ApunKaChoice
Aishwariya Rai on Dhoom 2
Two films, two completely different roles. One a courtesan, and the other an ambitious 21st century woman with shades of grey. We are talking about Aishwarya Rai in ‘Umrao Jaan’ and in ‘Dhoom 2’. The sequel of ‘Dhoom’ has an ensemble cast where Rai will be seen playing lady love to Hrithik Roshan.
“It’s the kind of character I have never essayed before. Sunehiri, my character in the film, is distinctly different from any other character you have seen me play. That’s what makes her exciting to me,” says Aishwariya.
However, having a toned body was the one thing that was most crucial in an action packed movie like Dhoom 2, and this definitely drove the otherwise not very conscious miss Rai to go and tone up.
“For the first time in my life, I went through a bit of a fitness regime. Contrary to popular belief, right since modeling, to the (Miss World) title, to films, I have never been a fitness freak or exercised,” said the former Miss World.
Looking good is definitely one of the many reasons that draw the crowds, and a mantra that the already beautiful actress has stuck too.
Source: Timesnow
“It’s the kind of character I have never essayed before. Sunehiri, my character in the film, is distinctly different from any other character you have seen me play. That’s what makes her exciting to me,” says Aishwariya.
However, having a toned body was the one thing that was most crucial in an action packed movie like Dhoom 2, and this definitely drove the otherwise not very conscious miss Rai to go and tone up.
“For the first time in my life, I went through a bit of a fitness regime. Contrary to popular belief, right since modeling, to the (Miss World) title, to films, I have never been a fitness freak or exercised,” said the former Miss World.
Looking good is definitely one of the many reasons that draw the crowds, and a mantra that the already beautiful actress has stuck too.
Source: Timesnow
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
Coming Soon: A season full of Ash!
Aishwarya Rai may have lost Sexiest Aisan Woman crown to Priyanka Chopra but millions of hearts still skip the beat when Ash dazzles on silverscreen.
Come November and the talented actress would be seen in two strikingly different avtaars in Dhoom 2 and Umrao Jaan. Interestingly, Aishwarya’s look in Umrao Jaan is completely opposite of her suave and slick avtaar in Dhoom 2.
If she’s looking like a million bucks in the exquisitely designed costumes as Umrao, she’s at her sizzling best in the skimpily clad outfits in Yash Raj Film's sequel.
Anna Singh who designed clothes for the actress in Dutta's epic tells, "To dress Ash is the ultimate dream because her beauty supersedes the most stunning creation. Her costumes matched the phases of her life—from being a simple girl to the glam mujrewali Umrao Jaan Ada to her being heartbroken and finally growing old."
Even though she has not had a big hit film in a long time, yet the actress has her own high brand value. Another interesting thing is that both the films have Abhishekh Bachchan. If he’s romancing her in Umrao Jaan, he’d be seen chasing her in Dhoom 2.
The two will be also be seen together in Mani Ratnam’s Guru and Sarkar 2.
Sarkar 2’ will also be the second film to bring Amitabh Bachchan , Abhishek and Aishwarya together on the big screen. The trio previously jammed together for the song “Kajra Re” in the last year’s hit Bunty Aur Babli.
In Ramu’s film, however, their roles will be properly fleshed out. It'll show Abhishek becoming the head of the clan. Amitabh will have relatively lesser footage. Aishwarya will play the woman who loves Abhi and opposes his involvement in the underworld activities.
But will they create the Kajra Re magic again only time will tell....
Source: SantaBanta
Come November and the talented actress would be seen in two strikingly different avtaars in Dhoom 2 and Umrao Jaan. Interestingly, Aishwarya’s look in Umrao Jaan is completely opposite of her suave and slick avtaar in Dhoom 2.
If she’s looking like a million bucks in the exquisitely designed costumes as Umrao, she’s at her sizzling best in the skimpily clad outfits in Yash Raj Film's sequel.
Anna Singh who designed clothes for the actress in Dutta's epic tells, "To dress Ash is the ultimate dream because her beauty supersedes the most stunning creation. Her costumes matched the phases of her life—from being a simple girl to the glam mujrewali Umrao Jaan Ada to her being heartbroken and finally growing old."
Even though she has not had a big hit film in a long time, yet the actress has her own high brand value. Another interesting thing is that both the films have Abhishekh Bachchan. If he’s romancing her in Umrao Jaan, he’d be seen chasing her in Dhoom 2.
The two will be also be seen together in Mani Ratnam’s Guru and Sarkar 2.
Sarkar 2’ will also be the second film to bring Amitabh Bachchan , Abhishek and Aishwarya together on the big screen. The trio previously jammed together for the song “Kajra Re” in the last year’s hit Bunty Aur Babli.
In Ramu’s film, however, their roles will be properly fleshed out. It'll show Abhishek becoming the head of the clan. Amitabh will have relatively lesser footage. Aishwarya will play the woman who loves Abhi and opposes his involvement in the underworld activities.
But will they create the Kajra Re magic again only time will tell....
Source: SantaBanta
Abhishek Is Very Clued-in: Ash Jaan
“Abhishek is very clued-in,” said Aishwarya Rai at the Music Launch of her Big Ticket Period extravaganza ‘Umrao Jaan’ in a plush Mumbai hotel.
It was after a long wait of eight months that Ash was coming before the Media Bazaar. Dressed in a creamy-white-golden saree, she looked svelte in that Dhoom physique and Nakshatra Diamond smile.
Abhishek’s absence was more than made up by his illustrious Dad Amitabh Bachchan who graced the occasion with élan. And as the ‘Kajra Re’ duo hugged warmly, the shutterbugs went in a dizzy….One more….They screamed….
So guys, if you are reading all this in a management school in Australia or UK and are a super Hindi filmi buff, then I can safely say…All this Jhakaas Nights happen only in Mumbai. The city rocks. In spite of every thing. Well, talking about the night of music and classical tastes, ‘Umrao Jaan’ is one of the most eagerly awaited films of the year. And considering it’s trying to match the sheen of Muzaffar Ali’s classic a good twenty five years ago, all eyes-n-ears are eager to dole out their bit of criticism-n-praise.
Lemme give you the dope on the who’s-who present that eventful night. Well, apart from AB Senior and Ash (They unconsciously competed with who gets more flashbulbs), there was loudmouthed director J P Dutta (Dude, chill a bit, why do you have to take yourself so seriously), his wife actress of yesteryears Bindiya Goswami, Shabana Azmi (Looking lovely in a peacock colour saree…But alas she just couldn’t handle the cameras hogging Ash while she was left with a stray limelight on her face in the grim night), Lyricist Javed Akhtar (Jovial as ever), Lata Mangeshkar (She preferred to keep quiet but her presence is terrific), volatile music composer Anu Malik (Must say, the guy is a paragon of positive energy), the managing director of T-Series Bhushan Kumar (Take my word, this success story is very humble…I literally bumped into him unconsciously…But he just smiled back without a trace of indignation) and dress designer Anna Singh (Her costumes are gorgeous but she seemed to be in a bad mood that day). One could also trace Divya Dutta, Puru Raj Kumar, Alka Yagnik and Parikshit Sahni other than a deluge of media force.
The promos of ‘Umrao Jaan’ were shown on a big screen while the set by Bijon Dasgupta specially created in the Hotel premises were Grand. Now, it would be improper to compare the two ‘Umrao Jaan’s’. For they represent two different generations and mindsets. As for the music of the film, when you compare it with the present lot, it’s most certainly original. The semi classical raag based songs soulfully sung by Alka Yagnik and Sonu Nigam do evoke curiosity and interest. It remains to be seen whether it manages to withstand the passage of time that the earlier version so successfully achieved.
‘Umrao Jaan’ may just steal the thunder from ‘Don’ and ‘Jaaneman’ due to the super chemistry between Ash and Aby Baby. It’s time to wait and watch.
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