Friday, January 25, 2008
Ash to pair with Rajini
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan could be playing the lead in Tamil superstar Rajnikanth's upcoming film, Robot, being directed by Shankar. Sources close to the filmmakers say that Ash was impressed with the script and gave her nod but the dates are yet to be finalised. It is believed that Shankar was keen on having Shahrukh Khan and Kareena Kapoor in the film, but owing to differences with SRK, it never materialised. However, as the film will be releasing simultaneously in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu, Shankar is insistent on casting Aishwarya in the film.
Royal roles for Aishwarya Rai
There is indeed something regal about the beauty of Bollywood actress Aishwarya Rai .
She may have played a courtesan with impeccable mannerisms in Umrao Jaan and a warrior princess in The Last Legion , but when it comes to royal roles, no other actress in Bollywood can match Aishwarya Rai.
Ash was Ashutosh Gowarikar’s “first and only choice” to play the Rajput princess Jodhabai who goes on to become the beloved consort of Mughal emperor Akbar in the upcoming film Jodhaa Akbar .
Last year, when British actor Sir Ben Kingsley announced his ambitious film on Taj Mahal, he had unequivocally stated that he could not think of any actress other than Aishwarya to play queen Mumtaz Mahal.
And now, Hollywood director Michael Radford wants Aishwarya for his film on Taj. He doesn’t want Ash to play Mumtaz, but Salim’s wife Mandi.
If Ash agrees to act in this film, she would get the distinct honour of playing the wives of three generation of Mughals – Akbar, Salim and Shah Jahan – in different projects, of course.
While ‘Jodhaa Akbar’ is set to release on February 15, Ben Kingsley’s film will go on the floors later this year.
She may have played a courtesan with impeccable mannerisms in Umrao Jaan and a warrior princess in The Last Legion , but when it comes to royal roles, no other actress in Bollywood can match Aishwarya Rai.
Ash was Ashutosh Gowarikar’s “first and only choice” to play the Rajput princess Jodhabai who goes on to become the beloved consort of Mughal emperor Akbar in the upcoming film Jodhaa Akbar .
Last year, when British actor Sir Ben Kingsley announced his ambitious film on Taj Mahal, he had unequivocally stated that he could not think of any actress other than Aishwarya to play queen Mumtaz Mahal.
And now, Hollywood director Michael Radford wants Aishwarya for his film on Taj. He doesn’t want Ash to play Mumtaz, but Salim’s wife Mandi.
If Ash agrees to act in this film, she would get the distinct honour of playing the wives of three generation of Mughals – Akbar, Salim and Shah Jahan – in different projects, of course.
While ‘Jodhaa Akbar’ is set to release on February 15, Ben Kingsley’s film will go on the floors later this year.
Monday, January 21, 2008
Aishwarya’s French Connection
After featuring in numerous English and Hindi films, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan has now extended over to foreign language cinema.
Pretty lady Ash will soon be seen in the French film Asterix at the Olympics. The film that stars one of French cinema’s most versatile actor Gerard Depardieu will be screened in Mumbai at the upcoming French Film Festival.
The film is touted to be the most expensive European film at 93 million dollars. The film has been extensively shot in Tunisia and Morocco. The film will also see the likes of Formula one champ Michael Schumacher, soccer star Zinedine Zidane and Hollywood action star Jean Claude Van-Damme.
Ash’s role has been kept under wraps but sources suggest that Ash has bagged a special role in a film that doesn’t have any female lead character.
Pretty lady Ash will soon be seen in the French film Asterix at the Olympics. The film that stars one of French cinema’s most versatile actor Gerard Depardieu will be screened in Mumbai at the upcoming French Film Festival.
The film is touted to be the most expensive European film at 93 million dollars. The film has been extensively shot in Tunisia and Morocco. The film will also see the likes of Formula one champ Michael Schumacher, soccer star Zinedine Zidane and Hollywood action star Jean Claude Van-Damme.
Ash’s role has been kept under wraps but sources suggest that Ash has bagged a special role in a film that doesn’t have any female lead character.
Aishwarya Rai loved playing Jodhaa Bai to the hilt
Hrithik Roshan may have had some discomfort playing Emperor Akbar due to the heavy attire, but the gorgeous Aishwarya Rai Bachchan loved playing Rajput princess Jodhaa Bai in Jodhaa Akbar .
In an interview the Bachchan bahu said the heavy costumes, elaborate sets or feisty sword fights notwithstanding, she enjoyed every moment of the film that is directed by Ashutosh Gowarikar and scheduled to release on February 15.
I used to simply love doing those sword fights, so much so that Ashutosh (Gowarikar) started calling me Jodhaa. I mean I used to really go for it!” said Ash.
Ash also denied the stories of creative differences on the sets saying, "You know it's funny, this relationship that we share, you guys and us. I mean so much is said about our personal lives and our films. We had so much traveling everyday to Karjat during the making that very often we couldn't keep up with all the stories that were coming out.”
Nothing came in the way of Ash’s commitment to playing Jodhaa perfectly, not even the marriage to Abhishek Bachchan .
"Actually the greatest compliment I got was from Ashutosh was when I came back after a short break post marriage, and it was a really short break. He just said nothings changed about you. You know how one expects some things to change about a girl post her wedding?" said Ash.
Seems like ‘Jodhaa Akbar’ would rake in the moolah at the box-office unlike the recent Umrao Jaan - the last film in which Ash played a historical beauty.
In an interview the Bachchan bahu said the heavy costumes, elaborate sets or feisty sword fights notwithstanding, she enjoyed every moment of the film that is directed by Ashutosh Gowarikar and scheduled to release on February 15.
I used to simply love doing those sword fights, so much so that Ashutosh (Gowarikar) started calling me Jodhaa. I mean I used to really go for it!” said Ash.
Ash also denied the stories of creative differences on the sets saying, "You know it's funny, this relationship that we share, you guys and us. I mean so much is said about our personal lives and our films. We had so much traveling everyday to Karjat during the making that very often we couldn't keep up with all the stories that were coming out.”
Nothing came in the way of Ash’s commitment to playing Jodhaa perfectly, not even the marriage to Abhishek Bachchan .
"Actually the greatest compliment I got was from Ashutosh was when I came back after a short break post marriage, and it was a really short break. He just said nothings changed about you. You know how one expects some things to change about a girl post her wedding?" said Ash.
Seems like ‘Jodhaa Akbar’ would rake in the moolah at the box-office unlike the recent Umrao Jaan - the last film in which Ash played a historical beauty.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
When Aishwarya Rai did not give the right ex-pression
In a scene in Jodhaa Akbar , the gorgeous Aishwarya Rai Bachchan had to look aggressive while riding a horse, but to the dismay of director Ashutosh Gowarikar , the former Miss World failed to give the right ex-pression.
Reports are that instead of looking aggressive, Ash is looking frightened on the horse in the fight sequence.
With less time on his hands, Gowarikar cannot re-shoot the entire scene and will have to morph her ex-pression with advanced technology and is now trying to figure out the technology with which he can rectify the situation.
Gowarikar did not realise this when he was shooting or even later, when he was monitoring the scene at the set.
Gowarikar is trying his best to do it in time, as further delay will only hamper work on the project.
‘Jodhaa Akbar’, which stars Hrithik Roshan as Emperor Akbar, has been in trouble from day one.
The director, who was keen to release his film in the month of January, had to shift the release further.
Now, it is heard, that Gowarikar has been suffering from severe back pain and is executing all his work lying on the bed.
Reports are that instead of looking aggressive, Ash is looking frightened on the horse in the fight sequence.
With less time on his hands, Gowarikar cannot re-shoot the entire scene and will have to morph her ex-pression with advanced technology and is now trying to figure out the technology with which he can rectify the situation.
Gowarikar did not realise this when he was shooting or even later, when he was monitoring the scene at the set.
Gowarikar is trying his best to do it in time, as further delay will only hamper work on the project.
‘Jodhaa Akbar’, which stars Hrithik Roshan as Emperor Akbar, has been in trouble from day one.
The director, who was keen to release his film in the month of January, had to shift the release further.
Now, it is heard, that Gowarikar has been suffering from severe back pain and is executing all his work lying on the bed.
Deepika, Aishwarya - who will play female lead in 'Robot'?
Media is abuzz with reports that director Shankar is very keen to sign up Deepika Padukone for his sci-fi "Robot" opposite Tamil superstar Rajnikant.The second name doing the rounds is that of 35-year-old Aisharwya Rai, whose historical romance "Jodhaa-Akbar" is releasing in February. However, sceptics feel that neither Deepika nor Aisharwya will accept the offer because both the actresses prefer to work with Mani Ratnam.Even for Shankar's earlier venture "Sivaji: The Boss", the rumour mill had predicted Aisharwya would play the female lead opposite Rajnikant, but finally low-profile Shriya Sharan was roped in. After teaming up with the star in hit flick "Sivaji...", Shankar last week announced that he will repeat the 57-year-old actor in "Robot" and that A.R. Rahman will compose the music.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Abhishek, Divya skipped 'Dilli 6' party
The tinsel town is still talking about Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra's bash. The filmmaker threw an all-Rajasthani party for the 'Dilli 6' unit on New Year's eve, with the dress code and the food being Marwari.
'Rakeysh had booked an entire venue and had done it up. We had a good time. We had to wear turbans and ate ourselves silly,' said the film's leading lady Sonam Kapoor.
Abhishek Bachchan, who features in the film but was holidaying with wife Aishwarya, and Divya Dutta, who also plays a pivotal part, did not attend the party.
Divya preferred to return to Mumbai for New Year's Day to be with her ailing mother. 'She is much better now. Yes, there was a bit of a setback when my intended marriage did not work out. But I believe everything happens for the best. I know 2008 is a fulfilling year for me,' says Divya, who is also working with Yashraj Films and Subhas Ghai, besides Mehra.
'Rakeysh had booked an entire venue and had done it up. We had a good time. We had to wear turbans and ate ourselves silly,' said the film's leading lady Sonam Kapoor.
Abhishek Bachchan, who features in the film but was holidaying with wife Aishwarya, and Divya Dutta, who also plays a pivotal part, did not attend the party.
Divya preferred to return to Mumbai for New Year's Day to be with her ailing mother. 'She is much better now. Yes, there was a bit of a setback when my intended marriage did not work out. But I believe everything happens for the best. I know 2008 is a fulfilling year for me,' says Divya, who is also working with Yashraj Films and Subhas Ghai, besides Mehra.
'Hrithik-Aishwarya's pairing incredible'
Ashutosh Gowariker opens up on his forthcoming release 'Jodhaa-Akbar'.
Is Jodhaa-Akbar the most difficult film you’ve made so far?
It is. But the process has been so enjoyable and I didn’t mind the toil. My crew made the process of creation very interesting. Just working hard isn’t a virtue. Otherwise I should not make a film. And I definitely shouldn’t make a historical.
Aishwarya Rai and Hrithik Roshan have very contemporary personalities?
That won’t be a problem. The audience will come in and forget everything about Hrithik and Aishwarya. I’ve no fear of that. The two are brilliant. Ultimately, the audience will be watching not the stars but the two characters that they play.
Perhaps audiences would want to see Abhishek playing ‘Akbar’?
Hrithik-Aishwarya’s pairing is incredible. They’re extremely charismatic and good-looking. They were a huge success in the contemporary Dhoom 2. That can only help my film, not harm it. What audiences will see in my film are ‘Jodha’ and ‘Akbar’. At least that’s what I’ve tried to ensure through their looks, body language and behaviour. I wanted to make my historical as believable as I’d like to see it being.
You’ve paid extreme attention to period details.
Every element big or small, from the texture of the clothes to the sets, décor, dialogues and the protocol, even the incidental sounds of birds and animals, they all had to be just right for me. I’m tired of filmmakers wondering where those good old days have gone. I wanted to reclaim those days. It took me two years of pre-production before I got into my first shot.
Are you happy with the end-product?
Oh, it has been tremendously enriching. So far, the Mughal period was part of textbooks. I always wondered about the battles and the durbar intrigue. The mughal period was known for its lavishness, so much so that studio bosses in Hollywood from the golden period were not called ‘movie czars’ or ‘movie nawabs’. They were called ‘movie moghuls’!
Is Jodhaa-Akbar the most difficult film you’ve made so far?
It is. But the process has been so enjoyable and I didn’t mind the toil. My crew made the process of creation very interesting. Just working hard isn’t a virtue. Otherwise I should not make a film. And I definitely shouldn’t make a historical.
Aishwarya Rai and Hrithik Roshan have very contemporary personalities?
That won’t be a problem. The audience will come in and forget everything about Hrithik and Aishwarya. I’ve no fear of that. The two are brilliant. Ultimately, the audience will be watching not the stars but the two characters that they play.
Perhaps audiences would want to see Abhishek playing ‘Akbar’?
Hrithik-Aishwarya’s pairing is incredible. They’re extremely charismatic and good-looking. They were a huge success in the contemporary Dhoom 2. That can only help my film, not harm it. What audiences will see in my film are ‘Jodha’ and ‘Akbar’. At least that’s what I’ve tried to ensure through their looks, body language and behaviour. I wanted to make my historical as believable as I’d like to see it being.
You’ve paid extreme attention to period details.
Every element big or small, from the texture of the clothes to the sets, décor, dialogues and the protocol, even the incidental sounds of birds and animals, they all had to be just right for me. I’m tired of filmmakers wondering where those good old days have gone. I wanted to reclaim those days. It took me two years of pre-production before I got into my first shot.
Are you happy with the end-product?
Oh, it has been tremendously enriching. So far, the Mughal period was part of textbooks. I always wondered about the battles and the durbar intrigue. The mughal period was known for its lavishness, so much so that studio bosses in Hollywood from the golden period were not called ‘movie czars’ or ‘movie nawabs’. They were called ‘movie moghuls’!
Monday, January 7, 2008
Malkit Singh to perform at Edinburgh Mela
Popular bhangra artiste Malkit Singh and a giant Bollywood billboard featuring Shah Rukh Khan and Aishwarya Rai are the main attraction of the three-day Edinburgh Mela.
The Edinburgh Mela that began Saturday is billed as the Scotland's biggest multicultural festival. It was set up in 1995 by Edinburgh's Pakistani, Indian and Bangladeshi communities, and has evolved into a celebration of cultures and traditions from across the globe including China, Africa and South America.
Other attractions this year include Sukhshinda Shinda, upcoming Yorkshire-based band Jinx, and the Pakistani boy band NRG.
Malkit Singh replaces hip-hop artist Rishi Rich, who pulled out due to a mix-up over tour dates.
Reports from Edinburgh say a major innovation this year is the huge billboard showing the giant faces of film stars Aishwarya Rai and Shah Rukh Khan. A part of the actors' eyes have been cut away, leaving head-sized spaces. Visitors can climb behind the billboard, peer through the gap and have their photos taken.
Shaheen Unis, the Edinburgh Mela co-founder and board director, told the local media: "This billboard is both fun and inspiring. It is a perfect way to promote the visual arts and adds an important extra dimension to an already diverse programme of events.
"We expect a large number of visitors at the arts pavilion and I'm pleased that we can also confirm such a varied line-up of acts.
"The Edinburgh Mela aims to support up-and-coming acts as well as those who are already established. This year, with Malkit Singh and these young fresh talented groups performing, I'm sure no-one will be disappointed."
TV presenter Tasmin Lucia Khan, who began her broadcasting career with Zee TV in 1999, will compere the main programme this year.
Organisers have also confirmed that there will be performers and artists from Uganda, South India, Brazil and Nepal, as well as a vocal group of young refugees from around the world.
Organisers hope that this year's Mela will be even more successful than last year's event, which attracted more than 60,000 visitors.
The Edinburgh Mela that began Saturday is billed as the Scotland's biggest multicultural festival. It was set up in 1995 by Edinburgh's Pakistani, Indian and Bangladeshi communities, and has evolved into a celebration of cultures and traditions from across the globe including China, Africa and South America.
Other attractions this year include Sukhshinda Shinda, upcoming Yorkshire-based band Jinx, and the Pakistani boy band NRG.
Malkit Singh replaces hip-hop artist Rishi Rich, who pulled out due to a mix-up over tour dates.
Reports from Edinburgh say a major innovation this year is the huge billboard showing the giant faces of film stars Aishwarya Rai and Shah Rukh Khan. A part of the actors' eyes have been cut away, leaving head-sized spaces. Visitors can climb behind the billboard, peer through the gap and have their photos taken.
Shaheen Unis, the Edinburgh Mela co-founder and board director, told the local media: "This billboard is both fun and inspiring. It is a perfect way to promote the visual arts and adds an important extra dimension to an already diverse programme of events.
"We expect a large number of visitors at the arts pavilion and I'm pleased that we can also confirm such a varied line-up of acts.
"The Edinburgh Mela aims to support up-and-coming acts as well as those who are already established. This year, with Malkit Singh and these young fresh talented groups performing, I'm sure no-one will be disappointed."
TV presenter Tasmin Lucia Khan, who began her broadcasting career with Zee TV in 1999, will compere the main programme this year.
Organisers have also confirmed that there will be performers and artists from Uganda, South India, Brazil and Nepal, as well as a vocal group of young refugees from around the world.
Organisers hope that this year's Mela will be even more successful than last year's event, which attracted more than 60,000 visitors.
A keen Aishwarya on “Jodhaa-Akbar”
Bollywood star Aishwarya Rai is gushing about three subjects right now in her interaction with the media -- her forthcoming film on Mughal emperor Akbar's marriage with the Rajput princess Jodhabai, life after her own marriage with actor Abhishek Bachchan and her equation with the comeback of the former queen bee Madhuri Dixit.Aishwarya, the green-eyed beauty, is upbeat about Jodhaa-Akbar, directed by Ashutosh Gowariker of the Oscar-nominated Lagaan (starring Aamir Khan) and Swades (starring Shah Rukh Khan) fame. Jodhaa-Akbar is a period film based on the lives of the Mughal emperor (played by Hrithik Roshan) and his Rajput wife Jodhabai.Aishwarya says essaying the character of Jodhabai is a “dream come true”. “The story is very interesting since it is about a love story between Akbar and his queen, despite their vast cultural and religious differences.” “Jodhabai to me is a very strong woman,” Aishwarya says, adding she readily agreed to play the role after reading the script of the movie.The model-turned-actress, who was in Delhi recently to promote a diamond jewellery brand, indicated viewers should not be fussy about the historical accuracy of Gowariker's movie. The director is not giving any lesson in history and the film is about two individuals discovering each other after being brought together by an inter-religion marriage, which was the key part in the alliance between the Mughals and the Rajputs, said Aishwarya who entered Bollywood in 1997 with Aur Pyaar Ho Gaya.Turning to her life after her marriage, Aishwarya said, “Abhishek is the real diamond in my life, who is the most lovable husband in the world.”She is also effusive about her in-laws -- Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bachchan -- describing them as “the radiance of the diamond called Abhishek.”Asked if she saw any competition from the dancing diva Madhuri Dixit who made a return to Bollywood with her recent movie Aaja Nachle, Aishwarya answered in the negative.“I do not have any fear from Madhuri Dixit and want to wish her all success,” said Aishwarya who acted with Madhuri in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Devdas.“If you have watched Devdas, then all answers lie there. We had shared a very good rapport while working in that film,” she said adding that given an opportunity she would work with Madhuri again if the script is interesting. Aishwarya, whose first Hollywood venture The Last Legion is expected to be released early next year, denied any plan to move to Hollywood. “I'm not shifting my base anywhere and am very much in Bollywood. I'm here to stay,” she said.
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