Aishwarya gains a lot from her Rajini Sir!

Ash got special treatment while shooting for 'Endhiran' with Rajinikant. It's not just the big bucks that she's earning from the film.

The film also called 'Enthiran' or 'The Robot' has been shot in undisclosed areas in and around Chennai. They also shot in Vellore or Ennore amidst tight security.

Now whenever the Southern superstar is shooting in Chennai, he gets to eat homemade food prepared by his wife Latha and this piping hot and tasty food is delivered by his aide at the shooting.

And benevolent Rajini shared his lunch with Aishwarya Rai, Shankar, and some other unit members. Ash is a fan of South Indian food and has been asking Rajni's aide as to how each dish is prepared and the right way to pronounce its name!

Rajini also shared books on philosophy with Aishwarya and Shankar! Well, so apart from the big bucks Ash also got lots of knowledge about philosophy, theology and South Indian food thanks to Rajini!

Size doesn't matter to me!!!

It would be a double celebration for Aishwarya and Abhishek in New York this week.

On 3 Feb it was the premiere of her latest international film Pink Panther 2 followed by Abhishek's birthday two days later. The couple plans to bring in his birthday in style.

In New York, Aishwarya is looking forward to the release of her film.

"They wanted me to be here for the film's promotion from earlier on. But I couldn't because of my prior commitments in India. We've a series of premieres lined up beginning with the one in New York on 3 Feb.

From there it's a crazy whirlwind trip that will take me to several countries and continents from Paris to Berlin to Moscow to Madrid. The final destination for my 15-day trip will take me to a screening of the film at the Berlin film festival. Then I'm back and I go straight to resume Mani Ratnam's film."

Aishwarya will be returning to India on Feb 14. "Abhishek is in New York with me. But he won't be able to accompany me for my other premieres because he has to be in India for the promotion of Delhi 6."

A part of the press has been writing about how minuscule Aishwarya's role is in Pink Panther.

Sighs the diva, "It's a bit silly and exhausting to even talk about the length of my role based on what's seen in the trailers. Did anyone question my role in Khakee when there was only one shot of me in the promo? Isn't that a very myopic view of contemporary acting? In my very first film Iruvar I thought I transcended this footage fetish, "

She makes it crystal clear thar footage is not a burning issue for her. "The choices I've made in my career aren't just about footage but an opportunity to work with actors directors and technicians who enrich my life.

Believe me working in Pink Panther was a joy. It was a wonderful experience working with a stalwart like Steve Martin and the rest of the cast and crew.

Why spoil it by questioning how much footage I have? So many Indian actors have worked in international ensemble casts."

Getting somewhat indignant Aishwarya Rai, "I didn't work in Pink Panther 2 because it was an international project. I got the script. I chose to be happily be part of the film. They shot exactly what I was offered.

I don't need to work with stardust in my eyes. Of course Pink Panther is a Steve Martin vehicle. Is that something to question?

All the rest of the wonderful cast including Jean Reno and Andy Garcia play supporting roles. I treasure the experience of working in Pink Panther 2."

Interestingly Aishwarya was offered the lead opposite Will Smith in 7 Pounds which opens in Mumbai this week.

"Will Smith and I will work together for sure, " laughs Aishwarya. "There have been a number of offers. Dates just don't work out. If he's keen to work with me, so am I."

The Salman-Katrina marriage sham

'Saamna', the famous Marathi daily which also happens to be the Shiv Sena mouth piece had claimed that Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif were married which of course came as a piece of shocking news, no less.

Now the news has been refuted by Salman's father Salim Khan who was reported to have said it.

The interview was for the special supplement to commemorate Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray's birthday on Friday. During his conversation, Salim Khan had talked about the secular values of his family and their cool attitude towards religion.

He'd said, "I mentioned how Arbaaz was married to Malaika, a Christian, Sohail to Seema, a Hindu, and Salman's girlfriend Katrina is a Muslim."

Salim said he was misquoted by the newspaper and clarified, "The reporter has translated my comment into Marathi saying that Salman was married to Katrina.The Marathi word "jar" (if) was missing in the operative sentence, which wrongly gave the impression that the two are married"

A senior journalist with the newspaper called it a printing mistake on the condition of anonymity.

Katrina's spokesperson termed the report as "baseless" and he said they will be sending a notice to the newspaper demanding a formal apology.

She's said in an interview, "I definitely think that Saamna should issue a clarification if not an apology because it's not a small thing. It's not the news of a movie or some endorsement that one has signed. It's a big think to make a mistake about somebody's life like this.

And I think a clarification is a must because I know for a fact that Salim sahab has definitely not said anything and one should be careful while reporting for such a major newspaper and while writing articles.

My managers have spoken to the editors at 'Saamna' and they were assured of a corrigendum. People who read 'Saamna' are regulars so when they open the paper tomorrow, there should be a clarification in the paper. They should say that they were misinformed or the misprinted and that's it. I think the matter should be ended then and there."

Katrina sure knows what she wants! It's definitely not marriage or talks of a marriage at this point!

Ash-Abhi not so ‘happily married’?

Be it award functions, film promotions or press conferences, the gorgeous Bachchan bahu is evidently quite happy whenever seen with family. Recently, Ash’s usual over the top behaviour became a cause for embarrassment for hubby Abhishek. The couple lately had a heated argument, on their way to attend the IIFA ceremony, when the actress was getting a little too loud and Abhi wanted her to just be soft in her expression.

As the couple was proceeding to attend the award function, with actor Kunal Kapoor, Ash got too loud and vocal, while Abhishek subtly asked her to keep her voice low. Understanding the need of the situation, Kunal promptly left the place in order to stay out of their marital spat.

However, reports reveal that the actress in spite of being warned by hubby couldn't maintain a low profile. Abhishek then took wife to the hotel lobby, made her sit peacefully and had a word with her to make himself clearly understood.

According to sources, things did not work out for them and Ash continued auguring at the top of her voice, and which is when Abhi completely lost his temper and ended up telling his personal security guards to escort his wife to her room.

Now, does that imply that the couple has finally outgrown the so very ‘happy-happy’ beat of their marriage? We definitely hope not.

Aishwarya Rai looking forward to 'Pink Panther 2'

The gorgeous Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, who recently completed Sarkar Raj with her legendary father-in-law Amitabh Bachchan and husband Abhishek Bachchan , is now looking forward to her Hollywood release Pink Panther 2 .

Ash is quoted as saying in a news report that what was nice about her role in the movie was that it was not culture-specific.

“What makes my role special is that they haven’t specified my nationality. Nor have I been made to put on any accent. In fact, every other character is culture-specific. Except mine. That was really nice. We all have done our best. And when we started shooting in Paris, Abhishek was with me, so it was very nice,” Ash said.

Ash also praised Hollywood actor Steve Martin saying, “He’s fantastic. An institution. He has unbelievable comic timing and such energy. It’s incredible how hard he works at his age on the physical comedy. Just like Pa! Pink Panther 2 is completely Steve Martin’s film.”

However, Ash refused to admit that ‘Pink Panther 2’ being an international project was extra special to her.

“I’m not one to compare assignments. For me Chokher Bali in Kolkata was as precious as ‘Pink Panther 2’ in Boston. But, yes, Gurinder Chadha ’s Bride and Prejudice and her husband’s Mistress Of Spices had a lot of Indians in the crew, so I felt at home.”

And to set the record straight, Ash said, “ The Last Legion with Sir Ben Kingsley was my first fully-fledged international project. It was such a fantastic experience.”

‘The Pink Panther Deux’ is a sequel to the 2006 film, ‘The Pink Panther’. The film was first titled ‘The Pink Panther 2’, later renamed The Next Pink Panther and now the official title is ‘The Pink Panther Deux’.

Ash signed for the female lead as criminal expert, Sophie Solandres.

Aishwarya enters the good book of Ramu

Ram Gopal Varma doesn't know who Rebecca Mark is or what Enron is. Rebbeca had resigned from Enron in 2000 after a series of failed infrastructure investments that eventually cost the company more than $2 billion.

Enron's Dabhol project in Maharashtra was the centre of a major controversy and grabbed headlines.

In a chat with Ramu we catch up on what Rebecca Mark means to Ramu and why Ash stunned the filmmaker:

The buzz is that Aishwarya's character in Sarkar Raj is based on Rebecca Mark of Enron.

I have no idea what Enron is. I thought it made pens, because my knowledge of such things is limited. I have no idea what Rebbeca was doing.

Just because Rebecca is a woman in some project it's simpler to put her as some character in Sarkar Raj. In the film we are dealing with a family that deals with politics and rules the state.

Obviously there are going to be strong references to issues that the government deals with like industries, projects, slums - so whatever it is there is bond to be some reference there.

The story is fictional and has nothing to do with anything happening now or what has happened before.

Among the three Bachchans who is the best in the film?
I take both Amitabh and Abhishek for granted so for me, Aishwarya came as a complete shock. I never thought she was a good or bad actress. Her beauty comes so much in the forefront that you don't tend to see beyond it.

I needed someone with her looks for the role and I was sure I could make her act. But I was completely taken aback when I saw her on the sets. She completely fit into the rugged, raw realism of the character, almost like a fish takes to water. I am personally most impressed with her.

Sarkar was based on Godfather. Is SR based on Godfather 2?
No. Sarkar Raj has got nothing to do with Godfather 2. The original Sarkar was definitely influenced by Godfather. Sarkar Raj is about how a man like that, over a period of time, becomes part of so many complex situations.

It's also about incidents that happen and how he deals with them. I would call it the further adventures of the Nagre family. It's like watching an Ekta Kapoor serial where you don't compare episodes - once you get hooked on to the characters you flow with them. The scale of SR is much larger and not so simplistic as the first plot.

Are you nervous about Sarkar Raj?
I never get nervous or excited about any film that I make. My job as a filmmaker is to do it the best way I can. If you keep being sensitive to what all everyone's saying, then it's very difficult to survive or exist. The moment the mixing of the film is over, I don't think about that film - no matter what!

"Sikander Has To Work Hard " – Aishwarya Bachchan

It is a known fact that the Bachchans and the Khers have a very cordial bonding and that the young blood of both families, Abhishek and Sikandar are thick friends. Knowing all this, it certainly was no surprise that the 'Bahu' of Bachchan household, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan took centre stage at the party organized to celebrate the debut of Sikandar in Bollywood with 'Summer 2007'..

She took it upon herself to introduce the new star-son to the media gathered at the party and in total 'Filmy Ishtyle', the talent of tomorrow Sikandar came into the limelight amidst a dark patch of smokeVeteran directors, Sudhir Mishra and Satish Kaushik were also present to wish Sikandar the best of luck for his future endeavors.

All eyes were on the promo stills shown in the party wherein glimpses of Sikandar's acting talent came to the fore. Talking of Sikandar, the gorgeous actress remarked, "I know Sikku as a person since a long time, but I really felt nice to see him as an actor, he is full of energy. It was good to see that he has been successful in transforming the same kind of energy in his reel life too".

Narrating her first experience with Sikandar on the sets of Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Devdas, Ash says, "Sikku was employed as Sanjay's assistant director in Devdas. I felt him to be a hard working, clean hearted and sincere guy. But the day I started knowing him personally, I realized that along with all these qualities he is professional too".

As the Kher family pins their hopes on Sikandar, it is no different for the Bachchans as well. Talking on behalf of them, Ash opines, "I am happy to find Sikku entering the world of Bollywood. But now onwards he would have to really work much harder to earn the fame". The Diva giving out Abhishek's part of the speech too said, "Abhishek has even told Sikku that he would stand alongside him so that he doesn't have to face the problems which a newcomer does in this industry. Sikku has got acting in his blood as his parents Anupam and Kiran are proven versatile actors". Stating the reason for the conspicuous absence of the rest of the Bachchan family, Ash said that they were busy with prior commitments and were not able to be here at the function.

May the Grace of his parents and the Bachchan household make Sikandar the true 'Sikandar of Bollywood'!!

Ash-Abhi planning to start family!

Every time Abhishek Bachchan and wife Aishwarya Bachchan visit a temple, rumours of them starting a family erupts. It was earlier reported that the couple were expecting twins but it was not true. Once again, speculations are on that they must be planning to start family early next year.

The grapevine is abuzz with the news that Abhi-Ash are looking forward to start a family by March next year. It seems Ash has even told the makers of superstar Rajinikanth's Robot to complete its shooting by March 2009. It is said that she had even told the producer of the film to consider another actress in case the shooting of the film is not completed within the scheduled period.

Well, it's time for the couple to start a family.