Ash spotting the spotlight
Noreen Aslam

BOMBAY—The gorgeous and stunning Aishwarya Rai is enjoying a never ending ride of fame. Whatever she does turns out to be a success, giving her shots of recognition to rest upon and enjoy. And undoubtedly she is worth all the accolades that are showered upon her. She has been in the hall of fame since a long time in the national and international circuit. But green-eyed Ash feels that she is enjoying at the moment the best phase of her life and lots more are waiting to come. She is bagging the best Bollywood offer and the Hollywood ones are lined up to greet her. She always has lots coming up in galore, by no means allowing her fans to complain.
Excerpts from the Interview:
Amsterdam named a Tulip and India a solar lantern after you. How are you enjoying the slice of fame?
I’m indeed very happy with the things that are happening around me. I feel that the best period of my life has just begun. The IIFA award was a success and the naming of a Tulip after me calls for a celebration. People can now exchange Aish flowers as gifts. (Laughs) My comeback from Amsterdam to India also brought me many surprises. I’m also very happy that a solar lantern has been named after me that’ll enlighten many villages across the country.
You’ve been recently rated as the ninth beautiful woman of the world among the hundred beautiful ones. How much are you excited on the same?
I heard the news from my mother and I was so much happy hearing it. Truly it feels like to be in a fantasyland. It feels great to find ones name in the list of the best-featured females of the world. All the other females were beautiful and potential in some way or the other. I feel honored to find my name amongst the best ladies of the world who apart from their beauty has also benefited the society in some way or the other.
Things are also looking good for you on the professional grounds?
Yes. I’ve recently bagged stunning Bollywood offers and also a couple of Hollywood ones. I’ve bagged two films from the kitty of J.P.Dutta. The films will surely open a new chapter of my career. I’m really high morally after I’ve been zeroed in to play the leading ladies of the films ‘Umrao Jaan’ and another on the life of Gayatri Devi, the Maharani of Jaipur. I’m very glad that I’ve got the opportunity to work with a leading director like him. I’ve also got a film with Ashutosh Gowarikar ‘Akbar the great’.
Did you bag both the movie of J.P.Dutta at the same time?
Actually Dutta saab had initially offered me the film on the life of Maharani Gayatri Devi. I was really surprised and couldn’t believe myself that I would essay such an important role. When I was offered ‘Umrao Jaan’ my pleasure knew no bounds.
Were you aware of the tug of the war with the female lead of ‘Umrao Jaan’?
Well when he offered me the role, I asked him directly whether he has offered the film to some other actress before me. He ascertained that he hasn’t formally signed anyone else. There was no reason for me to hesitate further. I went ahead and accepted the role. I was aware of the gossips going around and I was particular not to hurt any other actress by bagging the role without her consent. Frankly I didn’t know that Priyanka Chopra has been the first choice. I would have asked her otherwise.
But in Rohan Sippy’s ‘Bluff Master’ Priyanka Chopra has replaced you. How do you feel about it?
I don’t have any problem that she has gone ahead with the film. But I feel hurt because she knew that the film was offered to me. The media has published things that Priyanka was unaware of the truth. But I can’t believe that.