'People will forget Ash-Hrithik'

At the outset, Ashutosh Gowarikar confesses that after making a social film like ‘Swades’, he made a historical like ‘Jodhaa Akbar’ because he was excited when Hyder Ali who has written the story of ‘Jodhaa Akbar’ narrated the subject to him even before he had launched ‘Swades.’"Though I did find the subject quite exciting, I decided to take up the story only post ‘Swades’ since I realized that the grand spectacle needed time and also an elaborate production. Hence I launched ‘Jodhaa Akbar’ only after ‘Swades’ after a demanding pre-production preparation, on November 2006 in Rajasthan."‘Jodhaa Akbar’, according to Ashutosh, is the story of the greatest Mughal emperor who ruled Hindustan- Jalaluddin Mohammad Akbar and the fiery young Rajput princess Jodhaa. Set in the sixteenth century, this epic romance begins as a marriage of alliance between two different cultures and religions, for political gain, with King Bharmal of Ajmer giving his daughter's hand to Emperor Akbar. I have set out to show how the marriage of alliance happens between Jodhaa and Akbar and love evolves between them after marriage. I felt it was necessary to film it because it was a special alliance between the Rajputs and the Muslims.It was only after a lot of research for almost three years did I decide to go on the floors. ‘Jodhaa Akbar’ is my first attempt at making a romantic film. Romance fascinates me. What intrigued me was how Jodhaa and Akbar married without knowing each other."

Ashutosh confesses that when he started imagining as to who would suit the roles, he did not have to look far. "It was a dream cast to have Hrithik and Aishwarya. It was not at all my intention to cash in on the success of their star pairing in ‘Dhoom 2’ because I did not cast them after I watched’ Dhoom 2.’ People will forget that they are Hrithik and Aishwarya when they watch ‘Jodhaa Akbar’ as it unfolds because both have dedicated themselves to create the characters that they etch in the film." Ashutosh admits that there is no method or process as such when he sets out to make a film. "There is no analysis as such before I take up a subject. When a particular subject excites me, I take it up to film as a director, whether it is a nationalistic film like ‘Lagaan’ or a patriotic film like ‘Swades’ or for that matter a romantic film like ‘Jodhaa Akbar.’ As a film-maker, I do not look back and analyze why a film of mine has clicked or flopped. I do not let my success or failure bog me when I decide to launch my next film because I make it a point to focus on my new subject and do not worry whether I will be able to match up to my earlier films like ‘Lagaan’ or for that matter ‘Swades.’I do not believe that any particular genre will work on its own. It is only the story telling that works. Romance is the most important aspect of ‘Jodhaa Akbar.’ If romance appeals to every one, then ‘Jodhaa Akbar’ will work. I have never given undue importance to box office success or failure. Also I don't make judgments based on the past success or failure.”

Says Ashutosh, "Jodhaa Akbar will not be yet another ‘Mughal E Azam’ as a child, I have watched Prithvirajji in ‘Mughal E Azam.’ His was an incredibly baffling performance of the time. Ï have not set out to outdo ‘Mughal E Azam’ because I feel classics like ‘Mughal E Azam’ ought not to be touched. I do not think people will remember Prithvirajji when they watch Hrithik play the role of Akbar because we have worked hard on Hrithik's looks based on his persona and ultimately an actor brings himself to the fore when he essays his character in his own inimitable way.‘Jodhaa Akbar’ will deal with Akbar from the time he was just a thirteen year old till he was twenty-eight.From the battle field where the young Jalaluddin was crowned, through the conquests that won him the title of Akbar The Great, to winning the love of the beautiful Jodhaa, ‘Jodhaa Akbar’ will trace the impressive graph of the mighty emperor and his romance with the defiant princess Jodhaa." -Jyothi Venkatesh

Aishwarya Rai to speak in Tamil

After a long gap, Aishwarya Rai will appear in a Tamil movie. Her Forth coming Hindi release ‘Jodha Akbar’ opposite Hrithik Roshan will be dubbed and released in Tamil.
The story is about the love story of Akbar and Jodha Bai, played by Hritik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai. Music is by AR Rahman.
Aishwarya Rai had acted in films including ‘Iruvar’, ‘Jeans’, ‘Kandu Kondein Kandu Kondein’ in Tamil before.
Her films like ‘Taal’ were dubbed and released in Tamil. Hopefully ‘Jodha Akbar’ is going to enthrall Aishwarya Rai’s fans in Tamilnadu.

Aishwarya: Film isn't about damsels

Aishwarya Rai may have had her dream wedding last year, but the Bollywood star doesn't believe in fairytales.Aishwarya, 33, who stars with Colin Firth in new flick The Last Legion, tied the knot with fellow actor Abhishek Bachchan last April. -->

But she says Mira, her sword-wielding character in the epic film, which sets the foundations of Arthurian legend, had the right idea."It's not about being a damsel in distress," she insisted. "It's great to be a woman of today where you can choose to be a lady and it's definitely great to have a gentleman around."But at the same time it's great to know about the existing potential and strength you can draw from within whenever you need it."Mira is a skilled fighter in The Last Legion, but despite the body count in the movie, the Bride and Prejudice star was keen to rush to her characters' defence, saying: "She is doing what she needs to do."

Abhishek: I'm Aishwarya's biggest fan

The rivals can sulk and pout to their heart's content. There's absolutely no question of Aishwarya Rai Bachchan giving up her work. On the contrary she's on the verge of completing two projects . In Ram Gopal Varma's Sarkar Raj her work is almost done, and in Ashutosh Gowariker's Jodha-Akbar in which she needs to shoot a song.
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Earlier this month, she returned from a day's shooting of Harold Zwart's Pink Panther where she was accompanied by husband Abhishek. She'll continue shooting for Pink Panther in Boston after completing Jodha-Akbar.
Aishwarya has also green-lighted Suniel Shetty's Raasta with Abhishek and John in the lead.
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Abhishek is all for his wife continuing with her career. "I'd like her to continue working for very selfish reasons. I'm her biggest fan and love watching her on screen. The choice is entirely hers, of course. I'd never-ever impose my wish on her. But if she asks me, I'd certainly want her to work."
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But considering she has her husband and his family to look after would her work load be decreased?
"No!" protests Abhishek. " As it is, she never did too much work at the same time. I'd like her to continue with her career and do the volume and kind of work that makes her happy. As her co-star I must say I want her to continue because she's a wonderful co-star and a thorough professional on the sets."
How will Aishwarya's name read in the credits of her forthcoming films?
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Retorts Abhishek, "How would that make any difference? I'd like her to call herself by any name that makes her comfortable. To me it doesn't matter what she calls herself. What she is as a person is what matters. However certain legalities have come into play after marriage. Whatever she's required to call herself, she will. I'm sure she'll do what the law requires. As for her name in the credits I'd enjoy an Aishwarya film no matter what she calls herself."

Celina: Ash was the third choice for Pink Panther

Aishwarya Rai's business manager in LA denies it, but Celina Jaitley says the Pink Panther role was sent to her first and then offered to Shilpa Shetty.
"With due respect to Aishwarya and her LA business manager, my work in the US is looked after by Brillstein Grey, who also looks after names like Brad Pitt, Jennifer Aniston, Orlando Bloom and Andy Garcia. The script was sent through my agents. And then it was also sent to Shilpa Shetty. I'm aware of that," Celina said.
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Finally, the role fell into Aishwarya's lap and she is currently shooting for it in Boston.
"I'm not aware of where the project went after that. Nor am I interested in getting into a slanging match over a film that I didn't do. I'd rather talk about what I'm doing," said Celina whose international career is flourishing.
Abhishek: I'm Aishwarya's biggest fan
She is all set to play the mythical beauty Sheherzade in the international project The Quest of Sheherzade. For the petite beauty, the most exciting part of this fantasia-project is the rugged action.
"It's a role that requires extensive stunts. Fortunately, my father is an army officer. I learnt horse riding in school. But doing so without a saddle requires plenty of training. And I'm off to the US in Feb 2008. Shooting starts probably in Turkey next summer."
Aishwarya reluctant to do a non-Abhishek love story
The Quest of Sheherzade role sounds quite a lot like what Aishwarya did in her just-released international project The Last Legion. Celina has just completed another international project called Love Has No Language. "It's directed by first-timer Ken Khan who was involved with the Lord Of The Rings project. It's an out-and-out romantic film."
Celina is candid enough to admit she didn't get along too well with her Australian co-actor Ben Mitchell, a TV star from the soaps Shortland Streets and Neighbours. Aishwarya Rai shoots for Pink Panther 2
"Out there in New Zealand they look for a hectic social life after work. I've gone through late night partying in college. I don't need that any more. I'm very much a home bird, very dull and ordinary. So, yes, Ben and I just faced the camera and went our separate ways."

Aishwarya charms her way to Kingsley's heart

Bollywood star Aishwarya Rai has been showered praise from none other than Sir Ben Kingsley, who co-stars with her in The Last Legion and calls her an "excellent and outstanding" actor.
Kingsley, who won an Oscar for Gandhi, said Aishwarya would surprise movie buffs with her performance in the film.
Kingsley, who was attending 58th Annual Emmy Awards, spoke to Sheeraz Hasan, founder of www.hollywood.tv, about the film and his Indian co-star and praised her profusely.
"It was a pleasure working with Aishwarya in The Last Legion, and her fans are in for a big surprise. She is an excellent and outstanding actor. She is a shining example of beauty from India and I'm sure we will be seeing her in more Hollywood movies real soon," Kingsley told Hasan.
Hasan was the only South Asian at this years Emmy's and was holding the flag of Bollywood on the red carpet.

The World's Most Beautiful Woman?

Who is the most beautiful woman in the world? Half a century ago, Hollywood would have presented her to us. Grace Kelly, Ingrid Bergman or perhaps Elizabeth Taylor. But today? Correspondent Bob Simon reports the woman who currently holds the title, at least according to thousands of Web sites, Internet polls and even Julia Roberts, is someone you've probably never heard of. Her name is Aishwarya Rai, and she is an actress living and working in Bombay, India. The reigning queen of Indian cinema, and also a classically trained dancer, Rai has starred in 24 films over the last seven years. That may seem like a lot of movies, but Bollywood, India’s film capital, is famous for churning out more movies a year than Hollywood. Three new films are produced and distributed worldwide every day, attracting a global audience of 5 billion people. That’s twice the reach of Hollywood. The reason Bollywood films have such universal appeal is because they’re squeaky-clean. There are no sex scenes, not even kissing. Every time you think someone’s going to do it, they'll burst into song instead. "I'd assume that's really a reflection of our society," Rai says, when asked to explain the films' modesty. "Of course people kiss and of course people have a very healthy love life. This is the land of the Kama Sutra. But nevertheless, in our society you don't really see people around the street corner kissing or being extremely, overtly, physically demonstrative publicly. They do it privately but not publicly." Unlike some of her Hollywood counterparts, Rai's very much like the women she portrays: wholesome, dutiful and deeply religious. So much so, she insisted we visit her favorite temple for this interview. It’s more than 200 years old and every week more than 100,000 people come from all over India to make offerings and pray to Lord Ganesh, the half-elephant/half-man Hindu god of happiness. At the temple, Rai started attracting more worshippers than Lord Ganesh. She says being treated as sort of a goddess in this way, "makes me feel guilty. I'll be very honest. When there's a distraction at the place of worship I kinda get a bit guilty. And I kind of say, 'Lord, forgive me. This isn't intended.'" Despite the attention, Rai says she doesn’t think much about the way she looks. "I am really OK with the way I look, It's fine," she says. "All this is transient. I mean, it's really, you know, it changes with time, and that's the external."