Aishwarya Rai | Aishwarya Rai in Bikini

Indian film star Aishwarya Rai plays thief in new action movie 'Dhoom 2'

2006-11-06T18:00:00.001-08:00

MUMBAI, India (AP) - Aishwarya Rai plays a smooth-talking thief in her latest movie "Dhoom 2," scheduled to be released later this month.

A former Miss World, Rai describes her character as a sassy girl who wants to be one of the guys.

With Hrithik Roshan as her co-star, Rai's role is high on style and fashion, she told the Mumbai Mirror newspaper.

"I play this petty thief who thinks she's pretty cool. My character thinks she's smarter than the smartest," said Rai. "She's a sassy girl and at the same time she's a cool dude."

The movie is a sequel to the 2004 hit "Dhoom" ("Big Bang"), in which a gang of bike thieves rob rich Mumbai businessmen.

It was shot largely in Brazil and South Africa and also features Abhishek Bachchan and Bipasha Basu.

Rai said the movie was "high on the hot and sexy elements" and actors had to look great in every scene.

"It was just the need of the hour. We had to constantly pay attention to our hair, clothes and body language," she said.

Aishwarya Rai Deemed Perfect for Role

2006-11-06T18:00:00.000-08:00

Aishwarya Rai's sensitive nature persuaded Indian filmmaker J.P. Dutta to cast her in his new movie 'Umrao Jaan.'

Dutta told The Indian Express newspaper he noticed the 33-year-old Bollywood star cried when she heard sad stories.

This made her the perfect choice to play courtesan Ameeran, or Umrao Jaan Ada, kidnapped from her home and sold to a brothel in the old Indian kingdom of Oudh, he said.

'Ash has a very soft heart. Even if she hears a rank stranger's sad story, tears well up in her eyes,' said Dutta. 'I've observed that aspect of her personality and felt that she could react beautifully to the tragedy of Umrao Jaan.'

Aishwarya Rai on a roll

2006-11-06T17:59:00.000-08:00

By Priyanka Khanna, Indo-Asian News Service

New Delhi, Nov 5 (IANS) Bollywood diva Aishwarya Rai is on a roll with a series of films ready for back-to-back release.

The former Miss World, who is known for her picture perfect chiselled features, will rule the marquees in movies that are vastly different from one another, as she desperately tries to impress with her acting prowess.

'Umrao Jaan', the first of the lot and perhaps the most challenging, released Friday to mixed reviews. The J.P. Dutta film is a remake of a Bollywood classic about a courtesan named Ameeran or Umrao Jaan Ada, kidnapped from her home and sold to a brothel.

Even the most ardent of Aishwarya's critics could not help but be softened by the zealous efforts put in by the actress in the film. Most critics found the story slow-paced and laborious, but were not too stingy in giving points to Aishwarya and her co-star Abhishek Bachchan.

In a country where women-centric films get barely noticed, the film has generated much buzz owing to media interest surrounding Aishwarya. Though the film may not be as commercially successful as the reigning Shah Rukh Khan-starrer 'Don', but would certainly do better than any other woman-oriented film in recent times.

For Ashwairya, the ballgame has just begun. She will next be seen in Yashraj Films' 'Dhoom 2' in an avatar that is an antithesis of her role in 'Umrao Jaan'. The big-ticket film - a sequel to blockbuster 'Dhoom' - is will be released Nov 24.

Promos and posters depicting a toned-up, slimmed-down Aishwarya in sport clothing are already doing the rounds and have made the film's rights hot property. To fit the role, the actress underwent a strict fitness regime, results of which are for all to see.

Before the year-end, Aishwarya will be seen in Mani Ratnam 's much-anticipated film titled 'Guru'. This again is a period film but minus the grandeur of 'Umrao Jaan' and stars Abhishek Bachchan in a pivotal role.

And then there is the much-publicised $67 million Hollywood period action adventure - 'The Last Legion' - featuring Aishwarya. Distributed by MGM, the film that stars leading Hollywood actors is scheduled to hit the theatres in early January 2007.

Director Jagmohan Mundhra's Aishwarya-starrer 'Provoked', which is based on a true story, has received rave reviews during its screening in film festival circuits.

Apart from critical acclaim from the international media, the film's producer J. Murli Manohar got a record number of queries from buyers and sold the film to more than 12 countries in four days following the screening at the Cannes Film Festival.

But as far as Hollywood projects are concerned, Aishwarya is adopting a wait and watch policy. About her future projects in Hollywood, the actress was quoted as saying: 'I really want time to decide. I don't know what will come my way. I will go through the scripts; I will look at the dates and only then will sign new movies. When I am not convinced about something, I simply say no.'

All the films belong to different genres and her roles in them are diverse, making her one of the few Bollywood stars who are hard to be stereotyped. Perhaps she needs to try extra hard because her beauty is too distracting and overshadows her skills as an actor. In the past, she has even undertaken small-budget so-called art-house films to prove herself as an actor.

Aishwarya, who turned 33 Nov 1, can also be credited for defying the invisible age ceiling in Bollywood. Till some years ago, heroines beyond 30 were either relegated to playing second fiddle in films or would simply retire. She is doing far better than most actresses her age.

Next year, Aishwarya will return to the marquees in 'Jodha-Akbar' by Ashutosh Gowarikar and 'Sarkar-2' by Ram Gopal Varma and perhaps a clutch of other films.

With all these in stock, end 2006 and 2007 seem to be earmarked for Aishwarya.

-*-

Bollywood is banking heavily on Aishwarya Rai to help it end 2006 - its most successful year ever - on a high. Revenue of over Rs.7 billion is expected from six big-budget movies being released in the next five weeks, three of which star Aishwarya.

Over Rs.1.5 billion have been invested in Aishwarya's 'Umrao Jaan', 'Dhoom-2' and 'Guru'. The other three are 'Vivah', 'Baabul' and 'Kabul Express', business daily Financial Express reports.

Copyright Indo-Asian News Service

Happy birthday Aishwarya, say Bollywood colleagues

2006-11-06T17:45:00.000-08:00

By Subhash K. Jha

Mumbai, Nov 1 - Bollywood star Aishwarya Rai turned 33 Wednesday, an occasion for her colleagues and directors to not only wish her but also focus on her fabled beauty - with Rituparno Ghosh, who directed her in 'Raincoat', even hoping that she gets married this year.

Here is what some of her colleagues in the industry had to say about the actress, whose 'Umrao Jaan' releases this Friday:

Rituparno Ghosh: Aishwarya is as beautiful in her heart as she's in her face. Why just on her birthday, I wish her all the best always. Hope marriage happens this year.

R. Madhavan: I've worked with Ash in 'Guru' and she is everything that she's supposed to be - beautiful from inside and outside. More than me, my infant son has a crush on her. He just couldn't keep away from her during 'Guru'. So, from little Vedant, my wife Sarita and me here's wishing you all happiness.

Randeep Hooda: I think she's amazingly graceful. Is it her birthday today? Great! All the best.

Kangana Ranaut: I just can't stop looking at her. She's gorgeous. I wonder how anyone can be so beautiful. I'm dying to see her in 'Umrao Jaan'. What a fabulous birthday gift she has received from J.P. Dutta.

Chords and notes

2006-11-06T17:44:00.000-08:00

Aishwarya Rai in a still from `Umrao Jaan'

UMRAO JAAN

T Series, Rs.160

This new version of Umrao Jaan has seven songs, and barring one or two of them, they are nowhere near those of the earlier version. Javed Akhtar's poetry is good but the choice of singers seems to have gone wrong. Alka Yagnik is gently teasing in Salam but extremely dull in Pehle Pehle and Ek Roothe Huye Dil Ki. Though in Pooch Rahe Hai, she is close to being satisfactory, it leaves a listener wondering what made music director Anu Malik not think of Asha Bhonsle for it. In Behka Diya Hamein, Sonu Nigam tries to improvise his voice to fit the film's hero Abhishek Bachchan, but in the process, the duet with Alka Yagnik ends up sounding more like the Gharonda number Is Shehar Mein.

Richa Sharma's rich voice has done justice to the superb emotions woven in the poetry of Agla Janam Mohe Bitiya..

PARIS HILTON, PARIS

Virgin Records, CD, Rs. 395

For those who cringe at the very sight of this album, we have to set the record straight. Paris Hilton knows music.

Indeed, unlike the rest of us, she's probably even heard it being played more than once. Let's face it, Paris was inevitable.

After all, in a world where Hillary Duff and Lindsay Lohan can put out albums, could Hilton be that far? Never mind that the only time she seems to be "singing" is on tracks like Jealousy and Screwed, completely Paris-proof tracks, where the vapid heiress can do next to nothing to mess things up. The rest of the time, she's content to just speak most of the lyrics, treading that safe space where she doesn't really have to put any actual lungpower into her singing. That comes as quite a relief through most of the album, considering the disastrous attempts she makes at a husky, seductive whisper on the first song and at full-throated singing on the last one.

Paris Hilton

And yet, one has to admit that this album isn't really the worst thing to hit the stands this year. Credit for that, although Paris proudly claims to have co-wrote most of the songs on this album, has to go the best production team that money can buy. Thus, you have songs like "Fight Over Me", where Paris simply fills the small gaps between verses featuring Fat Joe and Jadakiss. And on almost every other song on the album, a crack team of technicians, led by producer Scott Storch, push Paris's less-than-good voice to the sidelines, letting a compilation of some of the biggest trends in pop and dance music do the talking instead.

This isn't a good album by any means. But it is an interesting one in that it shows just what the rest of the mainstream pop industry has been reduced to.

After all, if Paris can manage this much of an output through simply a great production team, it says a lot for the others in the industry who have so much more working in their favour.

SMS Ash a Happy Birthday

2006-11-06T17:39:00.000-08:00

Over the years she has perfected the art of looking stunning, onscreen and off it.

Alongside, Aishwarya Rai has moved on from pretty beauty queen to big-screen heroine, from catwalks to glitzy red carpets -- and from rumour to even bigger rumour.

Even as her Umrao Jaan hits theatres this week, it's a bigger week for the actress. Today, November 1, Ash turns 33.

Come, join rediff.com in wishing Aishwarya a very Happy Birthday.

SMS ASH followed by your birthday wish to 7333, and we will make sure the actress gets your best wishes.

Bollywood expands big time overseas

2006-11-06T17:38:00.000-08:00

Aishwarya Rai may be the most widely known Bollywood actress outside India.

The world is waking up to mainstream Hindi movies—and is helping to perk up box-office revenues

The trailer is promising: film production house UTV has already pre-sold the distribution rights for Farhan Akhtar’s Don in Germany, film maker Karan Johar sold the distribution rights for Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna (KANK) in Germany and Poland, and Rang De Basanti became the first Hindi film to be screened in a mainstream movie theatre in Israel. And that’s not all: the Rajnikant-starrer Chandramukhi was screened in Japan recently.

There are new markets opening up for Bollywood. Restricted to NRIs in the US, UK, Middle East and Australia for years, mainstream Hindi movies are fining audiences in Germany, France, Poland, Israel, Turkey, Japan, South America and China. Earnings from overseas markets from January-September amount to Rs 550 crore, according to industry estimates, and have changed the fortune of many films which wouldn’t have been able to cover their costs of production otherwise.

Clearly, the made-in-India formula seems to have caught on in a big way. And this is a vital source of revenue: films earn between 25-50% of their revenue from the overseas box-office depending on the budget of the film).

Some multiplexes in the US and the UK even serve Indian snacks to cater to the growing number of Indian film buffs abroad. Besides the multiplex experience, most smart film makers targeting NRIs offer add-ons like videos-on-demand, pay-per-view and DVD releases. A huge number of grocery shops in Southall go to the extent of offering free beer cans and popcorn with three movies.

Umrao Jaan unplugged

2006-11-06T17:37:00.000-08:00

.P. Dutta wants the audience to stop comparing Aishwarya Rai with Rekha and instead soak in the essence of Lucknow and the Avadhi culture.

THE COURTESAN SPEAKS Aishwarya Rai relives the part of Umrao Jaan.

The past week has been, to state the obvious, hectic for J.P. Dutta. "Producing and directing a film can be tiring," he laughs. With all eyes on his latest offering, Umrao Jaan, Dutta is fielding brickbats from unexpected quarters. Some people in Lucknow are reportedly unhappy with Dutta's labour of love. "In trying to pull me down, they've been claiming that I haven't shot the film in Lucknow at all. The truth is we shot for 62 days in Lucknow. How can I not shoot there when I make a film based on Ruswa's book Umra-O-Jaan-E-Ada?" asks Dutta. He continues, "The film is set in a time when Lucknow was the seat of education and the Avadh culture stole the limelight off Delhi. To bring out the fervour of the period, I consulted historians and had people like poet Anwar Nadeem and a 70-year-old woman who previously worked in the kothas on our sets. They've given us invaluable inputs. Maybe others are offended that they haven't been consulted."

No comparisons please

Throughout the making, Dutta admits he has been irked by comparisons with Muzaffar Ali's Umrao Jaan starring Rekha. "What I've done is an adaptation of Rizwi's book and not a remake of Muzaffar Ali's Umrao Jaan. Adapting a book is an art. My film looks at the life of Amiran as an individual; I even thought of naming the film Amiran. But the name Umrao Jaan has a better reach and I didn't want to tamper with the book's title. My interpretation of the book is different from that of Muzaffar Ali's and there are changes in the script as well."

Getting the cast together wasn't an ordeal. "Aishwarya Rai was the obvious choice for me and Javed Akhtar. When I first met her, the songs had been recorded. I played the song Main Naa Mil Sakun Tumse. Aishwarya was moved and wept profusely. I had found my Amiran. I can't think of any other actress who can have a smile on her face and a tear in her eyes." As for Abhishek, Dutta recalls a compliment from a member of the censor board. "After watching the film, the lady told me that Abhishek has delivered an award winning performance." Dutta adds, "Abhishek might joke saying he had to just sit and gaze at Aishwarya's dances, but that's because he is modest like his father."

J.P. Dutta

Among the artistes, Shabana Azmi was the icing on the cake. Incidentally, Shabana's mother played Umrao Jaan's mother in Muzaffar Ali's movie. "Shabana and I worked in theatre many years ago. It was a great reunion. She and her mother shopped for the outfits in Lucknow. Shabana is brilliant and deserves the Mahatma Gandhi peace prize."

Dutta's recent films have all been based on war, but this epic was no new idea. Even before he made Refugee, he planned to film Aakhri Mughal as the launch vehicle of Abhishek Bachchan. "That's somewhere in the back of our minds. Abhishek and I might revive the plan. I'd like to read William Dalrymple's The Last Mughal too," says Dutta. Umrao Jaan too is a cherished dream. His father O.P. Dutta penned the script two decades ago but shelved plans of making the film since Muzaffar Ali's film was being made. "I've used my father's script, but not without making him write and rewrite some portions," says Dutta, a taskmaster on the sets.

He hates strictly going by the storyboard and changes dialogues on the sets. "I am instinctive. Actors don't know what to expect from me. When Shammi Kapoor acted in my film Patwada, he said I reminded him of a then famous cricketer whose shots can never be predicted."

Will Umrao Jaan succeed? "It should, for the sake of Ash, Abhishek, Shabana, Javed and my team. Umrao Jaan evokes a mystical feeling. People ask me if Umrao Jaan is still alive and if she does live in Lucknow. I don't know if I should tell them she's a work of fiction. A character that evokes curiosity will be keenly watched."

Ash and Abhi talk of everything but love

2006-11-06T17:34:00.000-08:00

They are Bollywood's hottest couple. Former Miss World Aishwarya Rai was voted among the most beautiful women in the world. And Abhishek Bachchan recently topped a poll for the sexiest man in Asia. The two were in Dubai for the premiere of Umrao Jaan. Promoting their onscreen romance in this period film, they evaded questions on their off-screen chemistry. In an exclusive interview, Tabloid! discovered that both are masters in diplomacy.

How do you choose your films, Aishwarya?

I have been fortunate to have the luxury of choosing from really great offers and I exercise my choice at various levels.

Firstly, I look at the character and how the role fits in with the script. For example, my character Meera from The Last Legion was not originally in the book and I asked for it to be more fleshed out before I could commit to it.

If the script sounds exciting, then I ask for a narration because to me the passion, vision and conviction of the director are crucial.

I also look at the producer because a good production team is essential to translate the director's vision. Another important aspect is my experiences through the year. Moving from one intense film to another can be exhausting, so I take on some lighter films to give myself a break.

After a classical film like Umrao Jaan it was great fun to do a contemporary film such as Dhoom 2 where I will be seen in a western mould for the first time in my 10-year career.

Do you think rumours of an affair with Abhishek will negatively affect your films with other leading men?

Nobody has ever asked me this and I have never thought about it. The response to the promos of Dhoom 2, where I am paired with Hrithik, are good.

In general, I do not dwell on such things because I know that it can take me off course professionally and personally. I have a very "schoolish" approach to my work and believe in focusing 100 per cent on my work and try my best to not let gossip affect me in any way.

Being on the jury at Cannes must have given you rare insights into the making and judging of good films around the world. Anything you feel Bollywood could learn from that to make its films more internationally acceptable?

Cannes was a great learning experience for me. But what I love about our film industry is that we are quite content making the films that we do and we clearly make them for our audience.

I do not think Indian filmmakers need to change anything just to prove a point. Those who want to make films for the festival circuit are doing that and it is a matter of pride for the fraternity that even our genre of typical Bollywood films are finding an international audience.

Time magazine included you in its list of the 100 most influential people in the world. How would you like to use that influence?

Being on that list is an honour. I am thrilled by it and cherish it. These lists are a reminder of the number of lives we touch unknowingly. I recognise the responsibility that goes with choosing to be an actor in a medium that connects with millions of people and hence am careful about my conduct and choices.

Who would you vote for as the most beautiful woman in the world?

My mummy. She truly deserves it.

Abhishek, you have been joking that all you did in Umrao Jaan was to watch Ash dancing. Why did you choose to work in the film?

I did not choose Umrao Jaan, it chose me. J.P. Dutta called me and wanted me to be a part of film and that was it.

Do you think Umrao Jaan will appeal to the younger generation, especially abroad?

I hope it does. At a time when films are technology-based and futuristic, it will be nice to see something that takes you back to a different era. I would be interested in seeing it.

Do you think rumours about you and Ash will have a negative effect on your films with other heroines?

No, why should they have any effect?

Do you tend to choose films produced and directed by your friends?

Beggars cannot be choosers. I do the films that I am offered. I am just lucky that a lot of my friends have found me capable of working in their films.

It is important for an actor to be comfortable on the sets and I thoroughly enjoy having my friends as co-actors and directors.

Why have you done so many special appearances in recent films?

I do not believe in terms like special or guest appearance; I believe in being part of a film whole-heartedly. The size of the role has never mattered to me. I have done these small cameos because the films were made by my friends who thought that I should be a part of their projects.

Any concerns about being overshadowed by Hrithik in Dhoom 2?

Not at all. We have grown up together and I am happy to be working with my friends. We have all worked hard and I hope audiences will find it entertaining.

What is your opinion of remakes and of the new Don?

It is a wonderful trend. A director is a creative person and must have the liberty to make his own interpretation of a book or another film. I looked at Don as a new film and enjoyed it. It is nice to see dad's film upgraded for today's moviegoers.

Any remakes that you would like to star in?

Too many to name because I love movies in general — all of my dad's films for sure.

Would you have liked to be in Sholay?

I was dying to be in it, but my other commitments did not allow that.

Can you share a special moment from the films you have done with your father?

It is every actor's dream to stand in the same frame as his father and I am happy I got the opportunity three times. Every moment with him on the sets is a moment to cherish and an exciting experience.

Is there anything you consciously try not to do like your father?

It has never been a conscious decision to do or not do anything. I am his son and I am going to be a lot like him.

Besides your dad, which other actors do you admire?

I admire everyone who can stand in front of a camera and deliver a dialogue, because I know how hard it is. Every actor in our industry is talented and gifted and I have immense respect and admiration for all of them.

What would you like to say to your fans in the UAE?

Just two words — Thank You. For all the love and support and for believing in me. I hope they continue to give me the opportunity to entertain them. Without them we are nothing and there is never enough opportunity to thank them.

Umrao Jaan

Umrao Jaan is the tragic tale of a young girl called Ameeran who is abducted and sold to a brothel. The film by J.P. Dutta is based on a book by Mirza Mohammad Hadi Ruswa, written in the late nineteenth century.

It traces the transformation of a small town girl from a poor family into Umrao Jaan, a talented dancer, singer and poetess and a courtesan admired and wooed by royalty.

Aishwarya Rai plays Umrao Jaan and Abhishek Bachchan plays Nawab Sultan whom she loved and lost. The premiere was organised by STAR Middle East in association with AD LABS & HUM.

Short take with Dutta

Why did you want to make a film that has been made so many times already?

To fulfil my father O.P. Dutta's dream. In 1952 he began making Ghazal with Nimmi as Umrao Jaan, but had to abandon it because another film called Zindagi aur Toofan based on the same story was ready to be released. I waited a generation after Muzaffar Ali's Umrao Jaan to make my interpretation of this classic.

Will a period film appeal to young audiences?

They accepted Lagaan and Parineeta so why not this one. Besides, in the history of Indian films, no movie about a tawaif (courtesan) has failed.

Ash is my Helen of Troy: JP Dutta

2006-11-06T17:28:00.000-08:00

Dubai, November 3: For war movie veteran JP Dutta, it was Aishwarya Rai, who made him change the genre of his films leading to the remake of the 1981 Muzaffar Ali classic Umrao Jaan.

"Aishwarya is my Helen of Troy whose face stopped me from going to war again," quipped Dutta, director of war-zone magnum opuses like Border and LoC.

At the premier of the film in Dubai on Thursday attended by the film's stars Abhishekh Bachchan and Aishwarya, the director said the former Miss World made him change his genre when she finally consented to do the movie, he had been planning for 13 years.

On her part Aishwarya, who flew in from Mumbai after celebrating her 33rd birthday on November 1, laughed off queries as to whether she would be a contender for the Oscars in future.

Aishwarya visits Sirdi Vinayak temple on birthday

2006-11-06T17:16:00.000-08:00

By Indo Asian News Service

Mumbai, Nov 1 (IANS) Bollywood actress Aishwarya Rai who turned 33 Wednesday, visited the Sirdi Vinayak temple here in the evening.

A night before her birthday, director J.P. Dutta held a special screening of 'Umrao Jaan', which is releasing Friday, at Film City for the families of lead actors - Aishwarya and Abhishek Bachchan. 'After watching the film, Aishwarya got so emotional that she had tears in her eyes,' said a source close to Dutta team.Another viewer said she should have carried a box of tissues to watch the film.Copyright Indo-Asian News Service

Aishwarya Rai eyes cult status as a Mughal era courtesan.

2006-11-06T17:13:00.000-08:00

From ANI

Mumbai, Oct 27 (ANI): Former Miss Universe-turned Bollywood actress Aishwarya Rai says her forthcoming film 'Umrao Jaan' would be the high point of her career.

"Umrao Jaan" that opens next month tries to relive the magic of the 1981 musical of the same name about a beautiful Mughal-era courtesan who searches in vain for true love.

"As an actor it was a delight, a dream, an absolute honour and privilege to have the opportunity to actually get a chance in your career to essay such a fantastic character. It was an absolute privilege and right from that part until this moment I can just say that it's been an incredible journey, a wonderful process of learning and I thoroughly enjoyed essaying the role of Umrao Jaan," said Rai, talking to the press here yesterday.Bollywood is remaking a slew of classic Hindi movies, egged on by what it says is a creative challenge of packaging old blockbusters to appeal to modern-day audiences.

The world's biggest film industry by volumes and ticket sales is known to be quick to remake hits.

But now, Bollywood filmmakers say the main motive in remaking classics is driven by an artistic urge rather than a dearth of ideas.

Bollywood has lined up a bevy of remakes of cult classics this season, which include Sholay, Don, Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam, and Umrao Jaan (ANI)

Copyright ANI

Ash-Abhishek to wed in 2007?

2006-11-06T17:12:00.000-08:00

The marriage of top Bollywood stars Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai is certain to take place in February 2007, according to Bachchan family astrologer Chandrashekhara Swamiji.

He has revealed this news to highly circulated Kannada newspaper Vijayakarnataka.

Swamiji, who lives in his ashram in Bangalore's RT Nagar, is astrologer to many film personalities including Dr Raj Kumar's family and producer Rockline Venkatesh. According to sources, Aishwarya and Abhishek visited the Swami several times during the Karnataka schedule of their film Guru, directed by Mani Ratnam.

The film was shot in Hospet and several places in Northern Karnataka, and the couple visited the Swamiji to consult him on many matters, including a probable marriage date. The Swami is believed to have scrutinised the celestial birthday Jathakas of the couple before giving them his advice.

Chandrashekhara Swamiji has been in regular contact with the Bachchans. He has reportedly also conducted havans and poojas for the family's well being. Apparently, Amitabh and Jaya Bachchan also visited the ashram a year ago.

Swamiji has revealed that Aishwarya will probably make an announcement of her marriage on November 1, her birthday. According to the report, Aishwarya (born in Dhanu Rashi) and Abhishek (born in Kumbha Rashi) could have had some problems. The marriage was likely to face roadblocks in 2006, the astrologer had felt.

But, from October 27, when the planetary positions change, both Ash and Abhi will have the support of Jupiter (Guru-bruhaspathi).

The Swami, who has closely studied Ash's Jathaka, feels that the number eight is not compatible for her and marriage in 2006 -- which adds up to 8 -- would have led to trouble for the couple. 'That is why I advised them to marry in 2007,' he explains, 'which adds up to 9, a lucky number for both Aishwarya and Abhishek.'

Text: RG Vijayasarathy

Aishwarya unveils 'Umrao Jaan' at Reliance World

2006-11-06T17:11:00.000-08:00

By Indo Asian News Service

Mumbai, Oct 27 (IANS) At a glittering event where the past fused with the future, Bollywood's leading lady Aishwarya Rai unveiled J.P. Dutta's 'Umrao Jaan' on the popular digital entertainment platform - Reliance Mobile World.

The launch event of 'Umrao Jaan' on the high-speed mobile entertainment platform was held across 17-cities through a videoconference at Reliance World Thursday evening.

''Umrao Jaan' is a film that brings Indian music and culture to the youth and cutting edge technology, made available by Reliance Communications is the best way to reach the real audience - the new generation of cinema lovers,' said Dutta who was also present at the event.

The video clips, wallpapers and ring tones of 'Umrao Jaan' would be immediately available on Reliance Mobile World.

Said Reliance Communications head, marketing and product management, Sunil Buch: 'It has always been our endeavour to take the cutting edge technology to the doorstep of the common man.

'Thanks to our broadband platform and pan-India reach with 241 broadband outlets in 105 cities, we created ground level excitement about the film 'Umrao Jaan' by conducting an online quiz contest.'

Out of 5000 customers, who participated in the online quiz, 60 winners from 16 cities got a chance to meet up with Aishwarya through video conferencing.

Copyright Indo-Asian News Service

First Look: Asking Ash for a date

2006-11-06T17:10:00.001-08:00

Dressed in blue jeans, a light-brown leather jacket and brown embroidered leather boots, Aishwarya Rai looked quite stunning. The blue-eyed beauty will celebrate her 33rd birthday on November 1, and the nation is waiting for November 3, when her Umrao Jaan hits theatres.

On Tuesday, October 26, Ash (accompanied by director JP Dutta, right) was around to meet and distribute prizes among contest winners of a Reliance Mobile Umrao Jaan contest. While the event was held in Mumbai, she also interacted with winners from other locations through the Video Conference link.

One mesmerised fan who won the prize from the Vashi branch cheekily asked Ash out on a date, inviting her to lunch. As this was happening in front of all the media, an embarrassed Ash was caught momentarily off-guard. She then blushed and thanked him for the invitation before moving on towards other questions.

Speaking about why Abhishek Bachchan has not been present for any of the Umrao Jaan promotions, she said, "Its just (about the) schedules, but we are trying to get him once before the release. Let's hope it happens soon."

When asked how she plans to celebrate her birthday Ash said she hasn't yet planned anything but that "she will spend it with her loved ones."

Text: Priyanka Jain Photograph: Pradeep Bandekar

Get Aishwarya's oufit for Rs 1 lakh

2006-11-06T17:10:00.000-08:00

Mumbai, October 26: JP Dutta has decided to auction an outfit worn by Aishwarya Rai in his forthcoming movie Umrao Jaan. Her magenta outfit from the song ,Jhoote Ilzaam will be auctioned for the welfare of children of sex workers. The money will go to Guria, a Varanasi-based non-profit organisation that rescues girls in the flesh trade and works for the welfare of children of sex workers. Umrao Jaan also happens to be the story of a girl who has been sold into the flesh trade at a very tender age. The outfit is supposedly worth Rs 1 lakh.

Sometime back, during the music launch of Umrao Jaan, Dutta had also announced that he would sponsor the education of the daughter of a sex worker. Through Guria, he has also found that girl, Laxmina and Dutta is only happy to help the nine-year-old.

IndiaFM

Aishwarya Rai May Work With Will Smith

2006-11-06T17:08:00.000-08:00

Bollywood leading lady Aishwarya Rai is eager to work with U.S. actor Will Smith, but is in no rush to sign on to other Hollywood projects, a news agency reported.

Rai has some big roles in upcoming Bollywood releases, including the much anticipated 'Dhoom 2,' and she's been linked to several Hollywood projects such as 'Chaos,' in which she would star alongside Meryl Streep.

But in an interview with the Press Trust of India, Rai declined to discuss any Hollywood plans, apart from a possible film with Will Smith for which she has already seen the script.

'There are quite a few scripts from abroad, but I hope to be able to work with Will Smith. The script was great and it will be fun to work with him,' the agency quoted Rai as saying on Monday.

As for other Hollywood projects, it quoted as saying, 'I really want time to decide. I don't know what will come my way. I will go through the scripts, I will look at the dates and only then will sign newer movies.'

Rai, a former Miss World, has acted in more than 30 movies and is considered among India's top actresses.

Aishwarya Rai's Filmography

2006-11-06T17:05:00.000-08:00

Year	Film	Co-Stars	Language	Role
2007	Sarkar 2	Abhishek Bachchan, Amitabh Bachchan	Hindi
2007	Maharani Gayatri Devi	Abhishek Bachchan	Hindi
2007	Happy Birthday	John Abraham	Hindi
2007	Chaos		English
2007	Dhoom 3	Shah Rukh Khan, Abhishek Bachchan, Uday Chopra, Ranbir Kapoor and Sonam Kapoor	Hindi	Sunheri
2007	The Rebel		English	Rani Laxmibai
2007	Singularity		English	Tulaja
2006	Guru	Abhishek Bachchan, Vidya Balan, Madhavan, Mallika Sherawat	Hindi
2006	Akbar-Jodha	Hrithik Roshan	Hindi	Jodha Bai
2006	Dhoom 2	Hrithik Roshan, Abhishek Bachchan, Uday Chopra, Bipasha Basu	Hindi	Sunehri
2006	The Last Legion	Colin Firth, Ben Kingsley	English	Mira
2006	Umrao Jaan	Shabana Azmi, Sunil Shetty, Abhishek Bachchan, Divya Dutta	Hindi	Umrao Jaan
2006	The Heart of India		Hindi	Mumtaz Mahal
2006	Provoked	Naveen Andrews, Robbie Coltrane, Nandita Das	English	Kiranjit Alluwalia
2005	Mistress of Spices	Dylan McDermott	English	Tilo
2005	Bunty Aur Babli		Hindi	Cameo
2005	Shabd	Sanjay Dutt, Zayed Khan	Hindi	Antara Vashist
2004	Bride & Prejudice	Martin Henderson	English	Lalitha Bakshi
2004	Kyun...! Ho Gaya Na	Amitabh Bachchan, Vivek Oberoi	Hindi	Diya Malhotra
2004	Raincoat	Ajay Devgan	Hindi	Neerja
2004	Khakee	Amitabh Bachchan, Akshay Kumar	Hindi	Mahalakshmi
2003	Kuch Naa Kaho	Abhishek Bachchan	Hindi	Namrata Shrivastav
2003	Chokher Bali	Raima Sen	Bengali	Binodhini
2003	Dil Ka Rishta	Arjun Rampal	Hindi	Dia Sharma
2002	Shakti: The Power		Hindi	Cameo
2002	23rd March 1931: Shaheed		Hindi	Cameo
2002	Hum Kisi Se Kum Nahin	Amitabh Bachchan, Ajay Devgan, Sanjay Dutt	Hindi	Komal Rastogi
2002	Hum Tumhare Hain Sanam		Hindi	Cameo
2002	Devdas	Shahrukh Khan, Madhuri Dixit	Hindi	Parvati
2001	Albela	Govinda	Hindi	Sonia
2000	Mohabbatein	Amitabh Bachchan, Shahrukh Khan	Hindi	Megha
2000	Dhaai Akshar Prem Ke	Abhishek Bachchan	Hindi	Sahiba Gareval
2000	Hamara Dil Aapke Paas Hai	Anil Kapoor	Hindi	Preeti Virat
2000	Josh	Shahrukh Khan	Hindi	Shirley
2000	Kandukondain Kandukondain	Mammooty, Ajith Kumar, Abbas, Tabu, Dino Morea	Tamil	Meenakshi Bala
2000	Mela		Hindi	Champakali
2000	Sanam Tere Hain Hum		Hindi	Cameo
1999	Taal	Anil Kapoor, Akshaye Khanna	Hindi	Mansi
1999	Ravoyi Chandamama		Telugu	Cameo
1999	Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam	Salman Khan, Ajay Devgan	Hindi	Nandini
1999	Aa Ab Laut Chalen	Akshaye Khanna, Rajesh Khanna	Hindi	Pooja
1998	Jeans	Prashanth, Nassar	Tamil	Madhumitha/Vaishnavi
1997	Aur Pyaar Ho Gaya	Bobby Deol	Hindi	Ashi Kapoor
1997	Iruvar	Mohanlal, Prakash Raj, Revathi, Madhoo, Tabu, Gouthami	Tamil	Pushpa/Kalpana

Aishwarya Rai's Trivia

2006-11-02T17:17:00.000-08:00

In 2005, Aishwarya also performed the much loved 'Kajra Re' at the IFFA Awards held in Amsterdam.

She is said to be the highest-paid actress in India before Rani Mukerji.

She is 5 foot 7 inches tall and weighs 122 pounds.

She has been voted the most beautiful woman in the world in an online poll by Hello Magazine

She has also been voted the most sexiest woman in Asia

She is often referred to as the queen of Bollywood

Aishwarya Rai's Awards

2006-11-02T16:40:00.000-08:00

Rai has won two Filmfare Awards to date:

2000, Filmfare Best Actress Award, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam
2002, Filmfare Best Actress Award, Devdas

She has been nominated four times in the Best Actress category and once in the Best Supporting Actress category at the Filmfare Awards. She has also won three IIFA Awards, three Z-Gold Awards, four Star Screen Awards, an EU's Global Diversity Award, three Zee Cine Awards and a Rajiv Gandhi Award.

When the IFFA awards took place in Amsterdam, Aishwarya had a breed of tulip named after her as well.

Aishwarya Rai's Personal Life

2006-11-02T15:48:00.000-08:00

Aishwarya Rai prefers not to talk to the media about her personal life. All the details mentioned in this section are based on what was reported by the media and have not been confirmed by Ms Rai, except as otherwise indicated.

Rai began dating Salman Khan, her co-star from Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, after the filming of that movie. Their breakup a few years later generated a substantial amount of press attention.
Rai has been described by others in the Bollywood film industry as having traditional values and being "a paragon of age-old, dutiful Indian femininity".[5] As a practicing Hindu, she has described herself as having "immense faith in its Gods", [6] and when at home she attends the Siddhivinayak Mandir, devoted to Lord Ganesh. [7] When not on the road, Rai lives in Mumbai with her parents.

Recently, the Bachchan family astrologer, Chandrashekhara Swami, was quoted as saying that Aishwarya will marry Abhishek Bachchan in 2007. According to him, Aishwarya will make the announcement on November 1, 2006 - her birthday.

Aishwarya Rai's Career

2006-11-02T15:43:00.000-08:00

Aishwarya Rai debuted in Mani Ratnam's critically acclaimed Tamil language film, Iruvar alongside Mohanlal and Tabu in which she played a dual role. Rai's dual role in the movie was appreciated. She was introduced to Bollywood by Rahul Rawail in the film, Aur Pyaar Ho Gaya but the film did not progress due to poor publicizing of the project. Her third project, a Tamil-language film, Jeans by S. Shankar was the first commercial success in her career. In the film, she also sported a double role alongside with Prashanth. The song Poovukul Olindirukum's lyrics were based upon Rai, describing her as the eight World Wonder. The film established Rai's career in the Indian regional film industries.

Her first major success was in the 1999 film Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam. The following year, she appeared in the extremely successful Mohabbatein. In 2002, Rai appeared with Bollywood stars Shah Rukh Khan and Madhuri Dixit in the lavishly produced Devdas, which was a major box-office success. The film attracted overseas attention as well, receiving a special screening at the Cannes Film Festival and garnering international attention for Rai.

In the past, Indian actors and actresses were celebrities in South Asia, Central Asia, and the Middle East, but mostly unknown to the rest of the world. Aishwarya is one of the few Indian actresses to become a Western celebrity.

In 2003, Rai was a member of the jury at Cannes. In 2004, she was chosen by TIME Magazine's Asian Edition as one of Asia's "100 Most Influential People." She was the subject of a 60 Minutes profile on January 2, 2005 - "The Most Beautiful face in the World." A month later she appeared on the Late Show with David Letterman, and on April 25, 2005, she was featured on Oprah's "Women Across the Globe" segment. A wax figure of Rai is on display in London's Madame Tussaud's wax museum.

Although frequently the subject of gossip column speculation about an imminent Hollywood career, it was only in 2004 that Rai finally acted in a foreign film, when British director Gurinder Chadha hired her to play the heroine in Bride and Prejudice, a Hollywood-funded but Bollywood-ized version of Jane Austen's classic novel, Pride and Prejudice. The movie came just shy of breaking even at the US box office but earned over 400% return on investment in global revenue.

Her next overseas venture, Mistress of Spices, written by Gurinder Chadha and her husband Paul Mayeda Berges, from the novel by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni and directed by Berges, was released in the U.K. in April 2006 to a milder critical and commercial reception but rave reviews in Middle East and Asia.

Aishwarya has several other international, English-language films in the pipeline, including Provoked, and The Last Legion.

The song "Kajra Re", which Rai performed in the film Bunty Aur Babli, was voted best song of 2005 and best choreographed song of 2005 in a poll by the Hindustan Times. [4] Rai appeared at the Closing Ceremony of the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, as part of a performance showcasing Indian culture, on behalf of the 2010 Commonwealth Games, to be held in New Delhi. For her three-minute dance performance, Rai was reportedly paid three crore rupees, the equivalent of about 600,000 U.S. dollars. Aishwarya also performed the much loved 'Kajra Re' at the Iffa awards held in Amsterdam (Holland).

Aishwarya Rai's Early Life and Biography

2006-11-02T15:35:00.000-08:00

Aishwarya Rai was born in Mangalore, in the South Indian state of Karnataka, to Krishnaraj Rai, a marine engineer, and Vrinda Rai, a writer. Her ancestors are from the Bunt community of Mangalore. Her family later relocated to Mumbai. Rai has one brother, Aditya Rai, who is three years older than she is. Aditya is in the merchant navy, and has also co-produced a film with Rai in the lead.

Rai's native language is Tulu, Kannada ; she also speaks Hindi, English, Bangla, Marathi, Urdu, Telugu, and Tamil.

Rai attended the Arya Vidya Mandir at Santacruz, Mumbai, then entered Ruparel College, Matunga, Mumbai. She was an A student and was on track to become an architect.[2]
Rai began modeling on the side while studying architecture. She was a contestant in the Miss India 1994 pageant, which she lost to Sushmita Sen. Rai later went on to win the Miss World title that same year. She appeared in her first film in 1997.