Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya off to Cannes 2009

Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai have taken off for the Cannes International Film Festival 2009 in France.

Says a source, "They've both gone on a personal invitation from the Cannes fest folk. Aishwarya attends the event's opening or closing every year, depending on availability of time. This year, Abhishek decided to accompany his wife."

The couple, however, will return in a few days time. Ash resumes shooting with Akshay Kumar for Vipul Shah's Instant Replay. Abhi joins father Amitabh Bachchan for another schedule of Balki's Paa.

Of late, the Junior Bachchans have been travelling a lot. They recently were in Bhopal, visiting Jaya Bachchan's mother who resides there.

Adds the source, "It was a flash visit last week. Abhishek and Aishwarya had never visited his nani together. They wanted to surprise her. They had a day off. So they just took off for the day.

There was no direct flight. So they had to get flight-hopping. But it was finally worth it because the visit made their grandmother extremely happy."
Source URL: https://soniceview.blogspot.com/search/label/Aishwarya%20Rai
Visit So Nice View for daily updated images of art collection

Ash isn’t happy with Sonam

She has stolen many hearts even though she hasn’t made it big on Bollywood yet, but Ash isn’t impressed yet.

Ever since Sonam made a remark about Mrs. Bachchan, saying that she belonged to another generation, Ash has seemed miffed. She went on to blame it on Sonam’s immaturity and juvenile mindset.

If this wasn’t enough, former Miss World wants the young gun to apologise for making the statement. We say, before Pa Big B can shoot out at Sonam dear about her remark, he should help Ash come to terms with her age! She isn’t young blood any more, after all!
Source URL: https://soniceview.blogspot.com/search/label/Aishwarya%20Rai
Visit So Nice View for daily updated images of art collection

Sanjay Bhansali to name his Ash-Hrithik starrer as GUZAARISH

Sanjay Leela Bhansali has ended his struggle to find a title for his film. Sources reveal SLB has decided to name his Ash-Hrithik starrer as Guzaarish. Bhansali has already begun pre-production work on the film and plans to start doing a recce for the shoot.

A source reveals, "The film goes on floors early next year. Initially, there was buzz that Bhansali would tie up with either BIG Pictures or Sony Pictures to produce the film. However, it is now learnt that the project will be a co-production between Bhansali and UTV Motion Pictures.

The director wanted to started the project sometime this year, but Hrithik suggested postponing the film until he wraps up his home production, Kites."

Spilling the beans over the subject of the film, the source adds, "There is an angle of mercy killing in the story which will be quite controversial. There were similarities between Guzaarish and The Prestige, but Bhansali has changed the script to make it more Indian."
Source URL: https://soniceview.blogspot.com/search/label/Aishwarya%20Rai
Visit So Nice View for daily updated images of art collection

Mani ropes in Abhi-Ash for one more flick

It's not always that blood runs thicker than water.

Aishwarya and Abhishek Bachchan who have worked with director Mani Ratnam share more than a professional relationship with him.

Aishwarya had debuted in his Tamil film Iruvar and Abhishek first worked with him in Yuva. However, their bond strengthened on the sets of Guru. Since then, Mani Ratnam has adopted both of them. The couple too has reciprocated in a similar manner. When Mani suffered from a health crisis recently, they left behind everything to attend to him and monitor his medical progress. This gesture from Abhi-Ash moved Mani so much that he has become incredibility possessive and emotional about them. He’s already planning a third film with them after Raavana.

Commenting on the Abhi-Ash relationship with the maverick filmmaker, a source says, “Abhi and Ash are also very attached to his wife Suhasini. The day Aishwarya heard about Mani’s hospitalisation in Chennai, she immediately flew out of Hyderabad to see him and rushed back for her shoot the same evening. Abhishek too couldn’t focus on anything else till Mani was out of hospital. Somewhere Mani has formed a deep emotional bond with Abhi and Ash.”

Since Mani’s illness, Aishwarya and Abhishek have almost taken charge of Mani and his wellbeing. “They won’t allow him to resume shooting until they’re sure. And they’ll allot dates as and when his health allows. Abhishek and Ash have also promised Suhasini they’ll make sure Mani doesn’t strain himself,” the source added.

In fact Mani is so attached to the couple that he has begun to feel the presence of one or the other is lucky for his films. The source said, “Mani was planning to make Lajjo with Aishwarya and Aamir Khan. But he was compelled for reasons beyond his control to take Kareena Kapoor. Mani was not happy with this. When Lajjo got shelved, Mani turned around and said to Ash, ‘See it’s because it was an unfair thing to do to you that this happened.’”
Source URL: https://soniceview.blogspot.com/search/label/Aishwarya%20Rai
Visit So Nice View for daily updated images of art collection

Abhiash not moving out of Jalsa

Who said that Aishwarya and Abhishek Bachchan are moving out of the family home Jalsa in Juhu and moving into their own home Naivedya, in Bandra?

Bunkum! Reports that surfaced yesterday about the Bachchan jodi waiting to finish shooting Mani Ratnam’s Ravan before performing a grihapravesh and moving into Naivedya are not true at all.

Aishwarya, playing hostess at Jalsa last week in the absence of her in-laws (the Big B was in Macau, Jaya in Delhi), laughed off the rumour while Abhishek sat by preparing his day’s schedule. “I’m clueless about its origin,” she said dismissively. “It’s strange how people jump to conclusions. Once when I visited my father in hospital, the buzz was that I was going for a check-up to the maternity ward! Abhishek and I are at home in Jalsa.”

And it’s true, they are. There is a happy and positive air about Jalsa that is contagious. Amitabh himself, when Abhiash returned home for a break from the Ravan shoot, had written on his blog not long ago, “The house is complete... and full! Abhishek and Aishwarya came back... There is something about completeness in a family. The house begins to smell right, the furniture, the lights, the food, everything about it suddenly comes to life. Such an endearing moment.”

Not that the Bachchans are looking into the source of the rumour, but Bollywood sources say it was spread by a certain actress and her over-active publicist who has been riding high lately. A family friend said, “If Abhishek and Aishwarya decide to live in their own place, his parents would be as supportive of his decision as they always have been in everything he has done. But Abhishek would never leave his family home. And Aishwarya would never let him. She knows what family means, especially after her father’s illness when Abhishek stood by his in-laws like a son. Yes, the Bachchans do have property in Bandra. But so what? No one is going anywhere. Other stars have property all over Mumbai. How come no one ever talks about them relocating?”
Source URL: https://soniceview.blogspot.com/search/label/Aishwarya%20Rai
Visit So Nice View for daily updated images of art collection

Guess who introduced Abhishek and Aishwarya

Aishwarya and Abhishek, who celebrated their wedding anniversary in April, are now 2 years old as a married couple.

The two first met in Switzerland when Aishwarya was shooting for “Aur Pyar Ho Gaya”, her debut Hindi film which released in 1997.

Abhishek, who was just 21 then, was in Switzerland for his own work.

Ash had a problem with Abhishek at that time as she could not relate with his accent and did not understand much of what he said.

It was their common friend, make-up artist Mickey Contractor, who introduced them. Mickey pointed at Abhishek and although he meant to say “Abhishek, has a great future in films”, his actual words to Ash were, “There’s your future”.

Few years later when Mickey was actually doing Aishwarya’s bridal make-up, he reminded her of the incident and said, “Didn’t I tell you years ago this would happen?”
Source URL: https://soniceview.blogspot.com/search/label/Aishwarya%20Rai
Visit So Nice View for daily updated images of art collection

Big B: a matter of faith

Amitabh Bachchan, the epitome of good culture, is one of the most secular Bollywood superstars.

He never talks about his faith because he believes that it is a very private subject; and yet when people in the Hindi film industry observe him closely, they can’t help but speak about the subject.

When Bachchan with wife Jaya, son Abhishek and daughter-in-law Aishwarya made a quiet entry at the prayer meeting organised by Fardeen Khan and sister Laila for their father Feroz Khan, the recital of the Holy Quran was on. The room was already full with the exception of a few chairs at the back, but Raj Kumar Tiwari, Fardeen’s business manager, invited the Bachchans upfront where additional chairs sprang up when the celebrity mourners arrived.

But as a mark of respect to the Holy Quran, Bachchan refused to walk further into the room. Said Tiwari, “Instead, he chose to remain at the back.” As a result, Bachchan had to stand in queue for 45 minutes to meet Fardeen, Laila and their mother and convey his condolences.

Zayed Khan tried his best to get Bachchan to break the line and come forward, but the Big B flatly refused. “Sanjay Khan, Zayed and Fardeen are greatly indebted to Amitji and his family for not only attending the prayer meeting, but giving Feroz saab, the entire Khan family and their faith such great respect,” said a family member on behalf of the Khan khandaan.

Isn’t it said that in life, the line actually begins where great men stand; in this case Big B showed the way.
Source URL: https://soniceview.blogspot.com/search/label/Aishwarya%20Rai
Visit So Nice View for daily updated images of art collection

Aishwarya wants package deals

We have lately not heard of any Hollywood movies or mega projects starring Aishwarya Rai Bachchan.

The reason is clear. Ash has made up her mind to work more with husband Abhishek. She wants to sign films with hubby, make appearances with hubby as well as do endorsements with hubby!

Ash has made it clear that she is only reading scripts that have something to offer for both of them. And since this plan is not working so well, Aishwarya is keeping herself busy with a strict fitness routine.

And guess what? She even wants to package that with hubby! She has asked her trainer to chalk out a plan for both of them and not just her.
Source URL: https://soniceview.blogspot.com/search/label/Aishwarya%20Rai
Visit So Nice View for daily updated images of art collection

In Pics: Hrithik, SRK arrive at Feroz Khan's prayer meet‎

Source URL: https://soniceview.blogspot.com/search/label/Aishwarya%20Rai
Visit So Nice View for daily updated images of art collection

Crooked schedule goes for a toss

Ash and Abhi will have to wait a while until their film, Crooked, releases. The director, Abhinay Deo, has taken a break between shooting to attend to his ill wife.

The initial plan was to begin shooting the film as soon as his previous project, Delhi Belly, was to be completed.

His producers, Ritesh Sidwani and Farhan Akhtar are showing their support by not pushing him too hard.

Buzz is that the director is also looking for an alternative film title instead of the already existing one.
Source URL: https://soniceview.blogspot.com/search/label/Aishwarya%20Rai
Visit So Nice View for daily updated images of art collection

Aishwarya Rai and Rajpal Yadav in a Coca-Cola Ad - TV Commercial

Source URL: https://soniceview.blogspot.com/search/label/Aishwarya%20Rai
Visit So Nice View for daily updated images of art collection

Bollywood celebrities cast their votes

Source URL: https://soniceview.blogspot.com/search/label/Aishwarya%20Rai
Visit So Nice View for daily updated images of art collection

Ash says 'No' to Vivek and Salman

Rumours were rife about Aishwarya being cast alongside ex-flames Vivek Oberoi and Salman Khan for Tansen. However, Satish Kaushik puts them all to rest by saying that he hasn’t approached any of the three for the project.

The director has only considered Abhishek Bachchan for the role so far, and the production house is nothing less than irritated with the rumours.

Little B has agreed to sit through the narration, while the scripting is yet to be completed.

Source URL: https://soniceview.blogspot.com/search/label/Aishwarya%20Rai
Visit So Nice View for daily updated images of art collection

In Pics: Abhishek-Aishwarya at Shammi Aunty's birthday party

Source URL: https://soniceview.blogspot.com/search/label/Aishwarya%20Rai
Visit So Nice View for daily updated images of art collection

Abhi-Ash come to wish Shammi Aunty

Veteran actress Shammi better known as 'Shammi Aunty' in Bollywood celebrated her 80th birthday. And almost the entire industry starting from the Bachchans, the Chopras and the Johars to Vidya Balan, everybody was there to wish her.
Source URL: https://soniceview.blogspot.com/search/label/Aishwarya%20Rai
Visit So Nice View for daily updated images of art collection

Abhishek, Ash and Vivek in the same film

Call it rumours or hear-say but the word is that the shooting for film “Tansen” will begin next month and it will star Abhishek, Aishwarya, Anil Kapoor and even Vivek Oberoi.

The film is set to be shot in Bangkok first and then would also be shot on other international locations in Australia and New Zealand.

The historical epic is going to be a mega project and will be one of the costliest films ever made in Bollywood.

The film is based on the life of Mughal court singer Tansen and has Abhishek as the lead character. It is directed by Satish Kaushik and produced by Rajshri and even Sony is supposed to have put money in it.

Apart from this Barjatya project, Abhishek is working alongside wife Aishwarya in Mani Ratnam’s much-hyped “Ravana”. It is also rumoured that he and Ash have been cast in a remake of the Amitabh-Jaya starrer “Abhimaan”.
Source URL: https://soniceview.blogspot.com/search/label/Aishwarya%20Rai
Visit So Nice View for daily updated images of art collection

Preity and Ash say no to TV show

Simon Cowell’s NBC show “America’s Got Talent” is finally making its way to India but has yet not found an appropriate host.

The channel launching it in India wants a glamorous face to host this show.

Preity was supposed to do the show and both the parties had almost worked out the agreement but as she was to get busy with IPL, Preity did not take up the project.

Later, Aishwarya was approached with the same project and was offered five crore rupees but she too refused stating date problems.

We wonder whether it is really the lack of time or these ladies are just scared to host a talent show on TV.
Source URL: https://soniceview.blogspot.com/search/label/Aishwarya%20Rai
Visit So Nice View for daily updated images of art collection

Ash netting a crore a month in ads

The going might not seem to be good for Aishwarya Rai, who has recently lost contracts with Coca Cola, Nakshatra Diamonds and L’Oreal, but don’t be too worried about the Bollywood beauty’s bank balance yet. Her global face still makes sure she’s raking in nearly Rs.12 crore a year in endorsements. Ash paid Rs 4.7 crore in taxes last year, but had no major released. This means that her income, estimated at Rs 20 crore before deductions, was mainly from advertising.


ASH started young in the ad business. She was only in the 9th standard when she got her first break in an advert for Camlin. Since then, she’s bagged prestigious contracts world over- she’s been associated with luxury Swiss brand Longines and international brand Lux for a decade now.

“Aishwarya has been associated with us since 1999 and it is a big help. Not only in this country but also globally,” said Charles Villoz, Vice President (sales) of Longines International, in an interview.

Major factors contributing to Ash’s selling power is her recognition abroad too. In 2004, she was chosen by Time magazine as one of the world's ‘100 Most Influential People’ and as early as October 2004, a wax figure of Rai was put on display in London's Madame Tussaud's wax museum.

Aishwarya is also the only Indian actress to have have a footing, however tenuous, in Hollywood. She’s gained prominence by acting in movies such as Mistress Of Spices, Provoked, The Last Legion and Pink Panther2. Though none of these movies was a hit, the fact that Hollywood keeps returning to her means something.

Ad guru Prahlad Kakkar throws light on Aishwarya’s endorsement success, saying, “She has a striking list of international brands and that’s because she is not just an actress who can be judged on hits and flops, but she is the representative of Indian woman and is an ambassador of the country.”

As for the actress, she once said about her many ad deals in an interview, “Whether it is films or endorsements, I am very selective about my work. I take up work that suits me and fits in my schedule. It’s very difficult for me to take the projects if I am not able to fulfill the commitments.”


Ash’s ads so far:

• She has done a Rupa Cosmetics commercial, a Sheetal Bridal Wear commercial and Colgate Palmolive commercial in 1996.


• In 2001, Ash appeared in a Coca Cola ad with Hrithik Roshan and later with Vivek Oberoi in 2003. She was also in a Fujifilms commercial.


• She has been a brand ambassador for L’Oreal since 2003 and now she will endorse products for women above thirty whereas Sonam Kapoor will be seen representing the younger generation - she has not been replaced completely.


• Aishwarya also endorsed Nakshatra Diamonds since 2001, until she was replaced by Katrina Kaif in 2008.

Source URL: https://soniceview.blogspot.com/search/label/Aishwarya%20Rai
Visit So Nice View for daily updated images of art collection

Abhi-Ash celebrate second wedding anniversary

Theirs is the match that truly looks made in heaven. Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai celebrate their second wedding anniversary today.

It’s been two years since the two stars tied the knot and exchanged nuptial vows. As husband and wife their relationship has been rock solid so far, with not a single instance, forget rumour, of any possible friction in their marriage.

For the couple it all started way back in the year 2000, when they first worked together in Dhai Akshar Prem Ke . Little did they realize that seven years on Abhishek would bend on his knee and say the same Dhai Akshar to Ash in Toronto? Anyway, we’re overstepping. Let’s go step at a time.

In 2000, when they first worked, Ash and Abhi only struck a casual, non-happening friendship. Those were the days when she was dating Salman Khan and Abhi was seeing Karisma Kapoor . Both the relationships would go kaput in the time to come. Ash’s volatile affair with Salman would end with a bitter split, while Karisma would break her engagement with Abhi. Looking back today, it appears as if an invisible hand was guiding Ash and Abhi closer. Darn! It’s the stuff of love stories.

Anyway, there was still time for the couple to find love in each other. By the time Ash worked with Abhi in Kuch Naa Kaho , she was dating Vivek Oberoi . Abhi, too, was being linked with actresses like Rani Mukherjee and Dipannita Sharma , but he never had a full fledged affair with another female after Karisma. As things unraveled, Ash gradually distanced herself away from Vivek and the tide turned when she did the “Kajra Re” number with Abhi and his dad Amitabh Bachchan .

Later, it was on the sets of Umrao Jaan and Dhoom 2 that the friendship between Ash and Abhi took a serious turn and evolved into love. Sources close to the couple say those were the days they could not remain without talking to each other.

And then, on the day their movie Guru premiered in Toronto, Abhishek said the Dhai akshar of prem to Ash and proposed a wedding. She readily accepted.

They got married on April 20, 2007 and celebrate two years of their life as husband and wife today by heading off to an undisclosed location where none would disturb them.
Source URL: https://soniceview.blogspot.com/search/label/Aishwarya%20Rai
Visit So Nice View for daily updated images of art collection

In Bollywood, the younger the better

The writing is on the wall; the shelf life of the Bollywood heroine just got shorter. After a 15-year-stint at the box office, Manisha Koirala/Tabu/Kajol keep waiting for that one meaningful role to don pancake.

And, Rani Mukerji, Preity Zinta, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Sushmita Sen who made their debuts in the 90s are also fast being relegated to the background. Filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt says, “Even in Hollywood a Julia Roberts is feeling the tremors of the end. Whether you’re a street walker, an actor or in any other glamorous profession, there is a premium on youth. One can’t flinch away from the fact that an actor has a limited shelf life; and in this consumerist age where society is youth-obsessed, there is no place for people beyond a particular age. Even a child in an average school wants his mother to look like the young, television mother in a soap opera or a television commercial. Age controls the days and the nights of the entertainment world.’’

Facts that corroborate the theory that in showbiz, the younger the better, come from recent study that show that Aishwarya lost three endorsements — for a jewellery line, a soap and a doll to Katrina Kaif; Kareena is the reigning Bollywood queen; Priyanka is the preferred actress when the role needs “histrionics’’; Deepika looks good with Shah Rukh Khan and Saif Ali Khan. Akshay Kumar wants to team up with Jiah Khan; Shahid Kapoor wishes to serenade Genelia D’Souza; Salman Khan and Ajay Devgan prefer Asin over Amisha Patel; and, Abhishek Bachchan wants to share screen space with Sonam.

So in this fast changing scenario, where do the 90s’ beauties like Rani/Preity/Shilpa Shetty/Amisha fit in?
Trade writer Vinod Mirani says, “They’re considered for the occasional meaty role, but with the production numbers having gone down, the roles have dried up for the older lot. The heroes well into their 40s invariably ask their producers to get them younger heroines.’’ A filmmaker adds, “In Bollywood, the heroines are absolutely inter-changeable; switching Deepika with Katrina makes no difference to a project.’’So 43-year-old Salman will team up with 20-something Sonakshi Sinha (daughter of Shatrughan Sinha); Akshay Kumar (41) wants Jiah (21) in his film Housefull; and Aamir Khan (44) is definitely gung-ho about romancing Asin (25). Even Shah Rukh (43) made the perfect pair with Anushka (22). Of course, in the next round, the bar will be pushed down further, and the reigning Bollywood stars will definitely make a play for the new teenager on the block. When Amitabh Bachchan romanced Shilpa Shetty in Lal Badshah, one of his older leading ladies had joked, “Amitji is learning to change nappies; next he will be romancing Baby Guddu on screen.’’
Source URL: https://soniceview.blogspot.com/search/label/Aishwarya%20Rai
Visit So Nice View for daily updated images of art collection