School in Bahu's Name - Amitabh Bachchan

Amitabh Bachchan

Lucknow, Jan. 22: Call it playing the perfect pa-in-law.

Superstar Amitabh Bachchan has decided to gift a girls’ school to the people of Daulatpur and the buzz is he will name it after “hamari bahu” Aishwarya.

What exactly the name will be has yet to be worked out, but sources close to Bachchan quoted him as saying “it will bear Aishwarya’s name”.

The school, to be built on a 1.09-acre plot in Barabanki district, has revived whispers about the dispute the actor was involved in last year. But this plot — No. 711 — is different, though close to No. 702 that is now owned by the gram sabha.

The foundation-laying ceremony is scheduled for Sunday, at which Bachchan is expected to unveil a plaque carrying his name. Three former chief ministers — Farooq Abdullah, Mulayam Singh Yadav and Chandrababu Naidu — are likely to attend, apart from the star-studded Bachchan clan.

Although Bachchan baiters have been questioning his motive in building the school and even alleging “he wants to clear his conscience”, a former Mulayam minister said the actor merely wanted to contribute his bit to increase literacy among girls.

The actor had floated such a suggestion even in the middle of the legal wrangle last year in which he has been cleared by Allahabad High Court.

“Why didn’t Bachchan talk about the school before the dispute? It has come as an afterthought. But good sense, whenever it comes, is welcome,” a Bahujan Samaj Party leader said.

“We would call it a school to clear his conscience.”

A spokesperson in the Delhi office of Bachchan’s wife Jaya confirmed the Barabanki inauguration on Sunday. He said the proposal for the school had been announced last year.

“Mr Bachchan does not need any counselling from anyone on his social commitments,” Arvind Singh Gope, a Samajwadi member, said.

Samajwadi Party sources said the school was likely to be run by a trust and would provide free education to girls from underprivileged families.

- TheTelegraphInidia

The Aishwarya Abhishek Photo Collections

Bollywood actors Abhishek Bachchan with his wife Aishwarya Rai Bachchan attend a Childrens Day function, in Mumbai on Wednesday, November 14, 2007
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Ash wont do any more Item Number, even for Abhishek

Ash is turning out to be a really docile Bahu for Bachchan clan. Gone are her Dhoom 2 days when she flaunted skin with an aplomb. We hear that queen bee have been regularly rejecting offers on the grounds of excessive exposure including the one from Karan johar. And now the buzz is Ash has refused an item number even in Goldie Behl’s ‘Drona’ which stars her husband Abhishek in the lead role. Behl had plans to rope in Ash for an item number in the film though Priyanka Chopra is the lead heroine for Drona. But Ash reportedly put down both the director and her hubby. Considering the fact that Ash’s kitty is now filled with some prestigious projects and international films like Pink Panther 2, it is not surprising that the former Miss World quietly refused the offer from Behl rendering more importance to her individual career than wanting to add zing to Abhishek’s film. Goldie and Abhishek have now reportedly approached Bipasha Basu for the item number.

- Santabanta.com

Casting Ouch: Shilpa Vs Ash

'Pink Panther 2' casting has now become the hotly debated issue in Bollywood. Contrary to latest media reports, Aishwarya’s international agent Simone Sheffield says, "Ms Rai was the first and only choice to play Sophie in the Hollywood film Pink Panther 2."

The casting director Ilene Starger too endorses this fact by saying, "We did not offer the role to anyone other than Aishwarya. Period. Ash was the actress I envisioned when I read the script. Her intelligence, beauty and sophistication are just what the role requires. She fits in wonderfully with our fantastic ensemble cast, and all of us are thrilled to work with her.”

A couple of actresses claim to have refused the role Ash is starring in. It’s sad. If either of them had been offered a role in such a big budget international film, they’d have jumped at the opportunity instead of passing it up.”

Giving her side of story to SantaBanta, Simone says, "Please look at the original document received from Shilpa and you will see a standard letter signed by an office assistant and NOT by Ilene Starger."

"NO WHERE in the letter is there an offer for Shilpa to read, appear or even consider appearing in the film.....it is merely an invitation for Shilpa to submit a tape of herself. PERIOD.....this process is standard in the industry," she adds.

Last week, Ash shot for the film in Paris shooting alongside Steve Martin (who reprises his role as Inspector Jacques Clouseau) and Andy Garcia (Vincente) and has now returned to Mumbai to complete Ashutosh Gowariker’s Jodha Akbar and Ram Gopal Varma’s Sarkar Raj.

- SantaBanta.Com

Can Lara match Aishwarya's Paro?

After Aishwarya Rai and Madhuri Dixit, Lara Dutta and Soha Ali Khan have been chosen to play Paro and Chandramukhi in Sudhir Mishra's modern version of Devdas titled Aur Devdas.

While Soha is yet to sign on the dotted line, Lara has done the needful.

They will portray the two classic parts in Sudhir Mishra’s version of Devdas being produced by Pritish Nandy Communications. The film will be shot in September.

Mishra's Chandramukhi will not be a dancer. She'll be an investment banker. Paro evolves into a politician. The film will be a gritty political drama.

Says Lara, “I’m very excited. I’ve wanted to work with Sudhir Mishra for a long time. And now we’ve the perfect script.” Playing Paro after Aishwarya in Bhansali’s Devdas is just the challenge Lara was looking for.

Both Lara and Soha were not the first choices for their roles.

Earlier Rani Mukerji was approached to play Paro while for Chandramukhi's portrayal, the makers wanted Esha Deol. But she did not have the dates. Though she wanted to do this role and tried hard to adjust her dates, but could not work it out.

'I wanted none other than Aishwarya'

Refuting rumours about other Bollywood actors being offered a role in "Pink Panther 2", its casting director Ilene Starger said they only considered Aishwarya Rai.

"Most emphatically, we did not offer the role to anyone other than Aishwarya! Aishwarya was, when I first read the script, the actress I envisioned for the role," Starger told from Los Angeles in an e-mail interview.

Aishwarya shot for a day with Steve Martin and Andy Garcia in Paris Aug 20 for the film by Harold Zwart.

"Her intelligence, grace, beauty and sophistication are just what the role requires. And, of course, she has a touch of mystery too. She fits in wonderfully with our fantastic ensemble cast, and all of us involved with the film are thrilled to work with her."

Rumours had it that Celina Jaitley was offered the role first but rejected it. Also, Hrithik Roshan was asked to play detective Clouseau's assistant Vincent in part two of the comedy, but he too turned it down.

However, Aishwarya's international manager Simone Sheffield dismisses the reports.

Sheffield said: "Negotiations went on for a month to secure Aishwarya and her dates. The script is absolutely wonderful and the wardrobe is great.

"The film's costume designer Joe Aulisi has chosen some really hot items from Dolce & Gabbana. If any one of the actresses mentioned had really been offered this A-level role in such a big-budget international film, they would have jumped to join it and not have passed on the opportunity as they state, believe me.

"What I love about Aishwarya is that she just calmly continues along the path she has chosen, does her work, lives her life and never has a bad word to say about anyone."

Sheffield also has a lot to say about the actresses' absence at the unveiling of her statue at Times Square and for the promotion of her latest international film "The Last Legion".

"I see this trend happening more and more in the media with events falsely confirming Aishwarya's attendance to boost sales and media attention.

For one, Aishwarya was never confirmed to appear at the unveiling in New York City, nor did we confirm she was appearing on the late night talk show and a morning news programme during her brief visit to Los Angeles.

"She did, however, confirm she was appearing at India Splendor celebrating the 60th anniversary of India's Independence. When Aishwarya confirms an appearance, it is confirmed and she will without fail attend and always has.

"As for the promotions for 'The Last Legion', it is up to the producers and distributors of the film to make such arrangements and in this case numerous phone interviews with the international media took place over the past two months. There was nothing else requested of Aishwarya prior to the film's US release."

Ash to pair with John Abraham

Despite John and Abhishek not sharing any warm vibes, Aishwarya has signed a candy-floss romance with the Bollywood hunk.

She is in talks with producer Rohan Sippy for a movie that will have John playing her leading man in a romantic story with heavy doses of adventure as well. It will be directed by Sriram Raghavan , the man who directed Ek Haseena Thi .

The yet-untitled film will be shot at exotic locations in foreign countries. The locations are being finalized. The movie’s shooting will most likely begin in November this year.

Aishwarya is presently shooting for Ram Gopal Varma’s Sarkar Raj in Hyderabad and could not be reached for her comment.

John, on the other hand, has also been busy shooting songs for his movie No Smoking and filming for Nagesh Kukunoor’s Aashayein .

Aishwarya Rai is not Pregnant!

Refuting the reports about Aishwarya Rai's pregnancy, Abhishek Bachchan has made clear it amply clear that his wife is too busy to start a family.

In fact, she is going to be very busy shooting for the next two years. Just after completing the shooting of Sarkar Raj, the actress will fly to Europe for her third Hollywood venture which is a sequel to Hollywood blockbuster Pink Panther.

It is also reported that the actress will be playing the female lead opposite Steve Martin. Actors Andy Garcia, John Cleese and Alfred Molina have also joined the crew of Columbia Pictures/MGM's ‘The Pink Panther 2’.

Ash will star as a detective along with ‘Spiderman 2’ villain Molina and Garcia, who join forces with bumbling French police detective Jacques Clouseau, to be played by Martin, to catch the thief who has been stealing artifacts around the world.

Cleese will play Clouseau's superior chief inspector Charles Dreyfus in the movie, according to reports.

Agent Cody Banks director Harald Zwart will be directing the film, which was penned by Scott Neustadter, Mike Weber, Lowell Ganz, Babaloo Mandel and Steve Martin.

The film will be produced by Robert Simonds and Ira Shuman will be executive producer.

It is also learnt that Ash will start shooting for a film with Abhishek Bachchan to be directed by Tarun Mansukhani for Karan Johar's Dharma Productions early next year.

With a such packed shooting schedule ahead Ash might just be glowing with work only.

Aishwaraya Rai - Hrithik Roshan Vs exquesite Urdu

The determination to see Jodhaa-Akbar release on time is no longer unreal.

Post-production work on Ashutosh Gowariker magnum opus is on full swing.

The editing and dubbing are going on simultaneously.

Speaking exclusively to me Ashutosh says, "I'm currently editing the film in Mumbai. It's not an easy task."

Considering the canvas of the storytelling this could well be the director's toughest film yet.

"That isn't all. Aishwarya is shooting in Hyderabad. So she'll dub in that city. While Hrithik will dub in Mumbai,"says Ashutosh.

On top of it there are dozens of other actors, big or small, whose dubbing has to be done under the strictest supervision to make sure that the Urdu dialogues are in place and the pronunciation is impeccable.

In fact Hrithik and Aishwarya have been working doubly hard on their dialogues to live up to Ashutosh's exacting standards.

'I'm cutting down Ash's beauty!!!'

Ram Gopal Varma is currently in Hyderabad shooting for the sequel to Sarkar. The two Bachchand Amitabh and Abhishek are with him. Aishawarya is expected to join them later during the month.

"Aishwarya plays a very strong part with shades of negative in it. I'm completely changing her image. I'm cutting her beauty down. I've gathered a large supporting cast of ugly people and put her in the middle, so she'd come out looking stunning in her naturalness."

Apparently the two Bachchan men are so taken up with Aishwarya's part that they keep joking they could play her role.

Ramu is relieved to be away from Mumbai. "Hyderabad is like coming home for me. I belong to Hyderabad though I am a total Mumbaiyite now. Some of my early films were made in Hyderabad. So life has come a full circle," he says from Ramajirao studiow where a set depicting the home of the Bachchans has been built.

"Sarkar 2 is far more original than Sarkar. It will have far less of Godfather 2 than Sarkar had of Godfather 1. Sarkar 2 isn't about the mafia. It's a family drama."

And then a whammer of a confession. "I haven't made a single original film till Sholay. Every scene shot and frame of my earlier films have been copied from some source or the other. It could be a novel, a Hollywood or an old Hindi film. If I haven't been caught out it's because people haven't been able to locate my sources. Sholay is my first original film."

Sholay, says the incorrigible Ramu, isn't an underworld film. "It's almost a throwback to the kitschy films of the 1970s, like Nasir Husain's Yaadon Ki Baraat or Chori Mera Kaam. It isn't a gangster film nor a dacoit drama. The original Sholay created an excitement by giving the audience one slammer of a scene after another. I hope to do the same."

Ramu feels Nishabd to be the senior AB's most accomplished performance to date. "I personally think Sarkar was a cakewalk in comparison. To carry off a subject matter like that isn't very easy. However making Nishabd was a mistake. When Cheeni Kum did a old man-young woman love story there was a tongue-in-cheek element to it. Nishabd was too dark. There was resistance against seeing the film."

He ponders, " Mr Bachchan in Nishabd was over-cast. It should've been done with sn actor with a much less strong image. When Victor Bannerjee fell in love with a much younger woman in Joggers Park it didn't matter whereas there was outrage about THE AMITABH BACHCHAN falling in love with his daughter's friend in Nishabd.

To me Nishabd was Mr Bachchan's most accomplished performance. But I'd rather use him in a film like Sarkar where one closeup had more impact than the whole of Nishabd."

In Sarkar 2 Ramu is showcasing the senior and junior Bachchan keeping their image in mind. "Only Aishwarya gets the privilege of revamping her image," Ramu shoots off.

You'll see Hrithik-Ash on time - Ashutosh

For a long time now some sections of the media have been inexplicably eager to see a delay in the release of Ashutosh Gowariker's Jodha-Akbar.

Several manufactured 'accidents' from the sets of Jodha-Akbar were reported, just to fuel the tantalizing possibility of a postponement in the release date of this eagerly awaited film.

In fact I contacted Hrithik after the report of his most recent 'accident'. He categorically said he had never suffered any accident during the shooting of Jodha-Akbar.

But then the naysayers and sensation-hungry fiction writers can't get enough of the quick- fix method of news-making. Hence last week there was again a report that the release of Jodhaa-Akbar has been postponed.

"Not again! Not true at all!" laughs Ashutosh Gowariker as he speeds to a spectucular conclusion of his Mughal epic. "I've been reading stories of Jodhaa-Akbar being postponded every couple of months.

These rumours are not true at all. We had locked in on October 12 as the release date since it coincides with Eid when audiences swamp to the theatres. We've to be stupid or careless to let go of such a coveted date."

So where does Ashutosh think these delay rumours are coming from? "Beats me! Probably because I've one song and one scene left to shoot, some people might be jumping to the wrong conclusions. But October 12 was, and is the release date for Jodhaa-Akbar."

There has also been some talk of Ashutosh returning to his first love, acting.

"First love?" he laughs. "Direction is and always be my pehla nashaa. If after that I get some time off I may, mind you may, consider giving acting a try. And that too only if a friend is insistent."

However right now it seems unlikely that Ashutosh Gowariker would be able to take up any acting assignments, what with the grueling post-production of Jodhaa-Akbar awaiting his full attention

I have the best wife in the world: Abhishek

Now there is one more reason for the Bachchan's to smile. Bahurani Ash has once again made it to the list of top 10 beautiful women in the world. She is voted on the list which was about the 100 most beautiful women, in the July issue of Harpers and Queen. The list is topped by Angelina Jolie followed by model Christy Turlingron.

Ash has been ranked ninth two years ago as well. Wonder what Abhishek has to say. He has been saying that he has the best wife in the world. Guess he wont we too surprised after all! At 33, it's wonderful that he has been able to hold on to her beauty and booty as well. Lets hope she gives her hubby – who is younger to her – a lesson or two on looking fitter and better.

Aishwarya Rai Photo Gallery

Aishwarya Rai Pictures, News, Gossips and More

Meri Biwi Aishwarya Rocks!

Abhishek Bachchan says it is too early to feel any change after marrying Aishwarya Rai, a news report said on Monday.

He was shooting for Laaga Chunri Mein Daag at a suburban studio and took a short break to talk.

“Give me some time. It's not like she is waiting for me when I get back home. Things around me may have changed, but I am the same old Abhishek, a Boston student once, now an actor just married. It's no big deal,” a daily quoted Abshishek as saying.

“Ash is working too, you know,” he added.

The couple will now work together in Sarkar 2 in which Aishwarya will play a powerful woman who manages mob business.

Directed by Ram Gopal Varma, the movie is a sequel to the 2005 hit Sarkar about a ruthless mob boss played by Amitabh Bachchan. The three will appear on screen together in the movie. They had earlier worked together in Bunti or Babli.

“I am looking forward to working with my wife. She is a wonderful co-star,” Abhishek said.

“But whether she will get us a dabba of home-cooked food and whether the sets will resemble our home, you've got to ask Ash,” he said.

Speaking to the press for the first time following her marriage, Aishwarya also started off by promoting brand Bachchan.

"I feel blessed, I think it's wonderful to be married to your best friend. There is immense love and respect. I have the most wonderful father-in-law and mother-in-law, who treat me like their daughter," she told.

Her effusive praise for the Bachchan brand turned to evasive circumspection, befitting an Indian bahu, when quizzed what kind of a husband was Abhishek.

"If I start on that, we'll have to get onto an autobiography… there are too many details involved. In short, I'm in a happy place."

Interestingly, Aishwarya gave an insight into Bachchan's desire to make amends for the huge controversy over the exclusive Abhishek - Aishwarya wedding guest list.

"We do hope that in future, during a festival or our anniversary, we will have a larger celebration. The family has always partied and will continue to do so."

Aishwarya denies she and Abhishek broke many hearts when they married on 20 April, 2007.

"Going by the emails and letters, people are happy for us. We saw so much happiness, both among men as well as women… So contrary to what is assumed, our marriage hasn't broken hearts. We can feel it."

"Desert Rose" by Sting featuring Aishwarya Rai

A music video of Aishwarya's various video clips to the song "Desert Rose"

Aishwarya Rai's Famous Interview

The incredible Indian beauty in a famous American night show .

Aishwarya Rai at a Late Night Show in America

Hrithik Roshan sweats to complete Jodhaa Akbar in Aishwarya's absence

Aishwarya Bachchan's honeymoon and visit to Cannes have messed up the schedule of this film but it has not deterred Hrithik from perfecting his part of the film.

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Hrithik Roshan in a still from Dhoom 2

18 May 2007 (Sawf News) - One of Bollywood sincerest superstars, Hrithik is following a punishing schedule of work to complete Jodhaa Akbar, Ashutosh Gowarikar's magnum opus, says Bombay Times,

"He has to wear extremely heavy amour to look convincing as Emperor Akbar but he carries the weight all day. He wakes up at 5 am every day to reach the location in Karjat (near Mumbai) in time for the shoot and returns home beating the traffic to spend dinnertime with family. He sleeps early to repeat the routine next day."

Aishwarya Bachchan's honeymoon and visit to Cannes have messed up the schedule of this film but it has not deterred Hrithik from perfecting his part of the film.

Source : Sawf

BREAKING NEWS : Abhishek and Aishwarya in New Zealand

Honeymoon in Tahiti for Aishwarya rai and Abhishek Bachchan

Aish abi couple were married 10 days ago in Mumbai and last Saturday morning a Stuff reader said he saw Ms Rai at Papeete Airport. He was boarding an Air New Zealand flight home while she had just come in on the inbound flight.

She was seen to give an autograph to a person at the airport.

Indian media say the couple are honeymooning in France - and Tahiti is part of French Polynesia.

Ms Rai, a former Miss World, is one of India's top female leads while her new husband is the son of legendary Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan.

According to Indian community sources in New Zealand, who did not want to be named, Abhishek has visited New Zealand several times and made movies here.

There were rumours they were honeymooning in New Zealand but these have been discounted.

"If he was coming here we would have heard, and we're 99.9 percent certain that they are not here," the source said.

Aishwarya Rai will live with her in-laws and adopt her husband

Bollywood bride Aishwarya Rai will live with her in-laws and adopt her husband’s family name, her movie icon father-in-law Amitabh Bachchan said in an interview published on Thursday.
The emerald-eyed former Miss World, who wed Bollywood heart-throb Abhishek Bachchan in a traditional Hindu ceremony last Friday, “will live with us,” he told the Times of India.
“This decision came voluntarily from both Abhishek and Aishwarya,” said Amitabh Bachchan, a prolific actor who has a vast international fan base from South Asia to the Middle East and Africa and is known simply as “the Big B”.
Many Indian couples live with their in-laws after their marriage, although an increasing number are setting up home on their own.
Amitabh Bachchan said his new daughter-in-law “desires to use Bachchan as her surname” and had already signed her autograph using that name – the most famous in Bollywood.
The 33-year-old, who won the Miss World title in 1994, will continue her cinema career.
He said he and his wife, Jaya, “have insisted that Aishwarya must continue with her acting career. There is no problem or issue with us.” Amitabh Bachchan’s wife Jaya was a well-known actress who largely retired from cinema after getting married and there had been media speculation that Aishwarya might do the same.
Her marriage with Abhishek Bachchan, 32, has created Bollywood’s “ultimate power couple,

Abhishek-Ash, now man and wife

Abhishek Bachchan has married Aishwarya Rai. The much-publicised wedding has been solemnised at Amitabh Bachchan's home Prateeksha, in suburban Juhu.

The Ash-Abhishek wedding

Clad in a cream and gold sherwani and his face covered by strands of flowers, Abhishek looked every part the jubilant groom, waving at his friends and onlookers as he made his way -- astride a beautifully decorated white horse -- to Prateeksha.

Before he started off, younger sister Shweta performed Nazar Utarana to ward off the evil eye.

The guests included Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav, industrialist Anil Ambani and wife Tina, Sahara Group chairman Subroto Roy, Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh, Dimple Kapadia, Anupam Kher, Shammi Kapoor, Vashu Bhagnani and Ashutosh Gowariker.

Among the first to leave were Ram Gopal Varma and Shiv Sena executive president Uddhav Thackeray, and his wife.

The waiting media was left disappointed as their view of the baarat entering was obstructed by a row of buses parked deliberately before the gate.

The main ceremony was a short and simple, sources said, adding that Ash's bidaai will be held on Saturday, early morning at her Bandra residence.