The same old Ash
Noreen Aslam

BOMBAY—Aishwarya Rai feels she is still the same person she was before getting married and it’s the people around her who imagine her as a different person
Aishwarya Rai is flooded with offers for films, but her priorities after marrying Abhishek Bachchan are slightly different. She wants to focus on her family duties while doing very selective work.
“My attitude to my career remains unchanged. I remain the same. It’s people around me who imagine I’ve become a different person. They insist on portraying me the way they perceive me in their minds,” Aishwarya said in an interview.
“Never mind if they’re way off the mark. One report says I’ll be performing a salsa in a soap-sponsored event. Does that look anything like me?” she added.
A source close to her said: “Even about ‘Pink Panther’ she wasn’t sure, what with Mrs. Teji Bachchan being so critically ill. Aishwarya didn’t want any distraction from her family duties. It was Abhishek who urged her to take up the offer. Now she’s ready to sign a couple of films. But she will choose very carefully.”
Producer Rohan Sippy’s film, which is supposed to bring the never-before pair of John Abraham and Aishwarya together, is awaiting the leading lady’s approval. Though director Sriram Raghavan has started the shooting for the untitled love story with John, Aishwarya’s nod is still awaited. And the only reason why she hasn’t given the green signal is because the director hasn’t come up with the script yet.
“Ash has always been very close to producer Rohan Sippy. After all she met and got to know Abhishek on the sets of Rohan’s ‘Kuch Naa Kaho’. Since then she and Rohan have always been close. “When this project with Sriram Raghavan came up, Aishwarya’s dates were a problem. Rohan flew down to Boston where she was shooting for her ‘Pink Panther’ to convince her. Touched by Rohan’s sincerity she immediately said yes. However, she made it clear that she would like to see the script,” said another source close to the project. However, months have passed, no script has reached her because Raghavan was busy finishing Johnny Gaddar and then sorting his future projects.
“Though Ash has heard Sriram’s idea and loves it, she has always insisted on a script. Remember, how years ago Indra Kumar was angry with her because she had asked for a script before saying yes? Ash remains unchanged in her professionalism. Whether it’s a completely professional arrangement with Indra Kumar or a friendly producer like Rohan Sippy, she wants the script,” added the source.
Poohpoohing stories of how she was distracted on the sets of Jodhaa Akbar, the source said: “Ash is today even more professional than she used to be before marriage. Forget about causing distractions by bringing guests to Karjat where Ashutosh was shooting, or not giving Hrithik Roshan his cues while he was emoting, Ash wouldn’t even speak to her husband on the phone while shooting.”
Raghavan’s film is crucial to Ash because after Jodhaa Akbar and Pink Panther, this would be the only film she’s signing. “Some people are suggesting that Aishwarya’s dates for Raghavan’s film are uncertain. Not true. She has already set aside a large chunk in the first quarter of 2008 for the film. The problem is the script. She’s still waiting for it,” said the source.