Ash cherishes ‘07, year she tied the knot

CNN IBN

Mumbai: Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is difficult to pin down for an interview; but is always in the news for one reason or another. Here she is, in an interview with entertainment editor of CNN-IBN, Rajeev Masand.

Rajeev Masand: How would you describe the last one year? Approximately this time, last year, Guru had just released and it gave good reviews to the box office and your engagement was announced soon after and there was this world wind of the marriage, lots of travelling, and getting to know the family.

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan: It is a very special time. I will cherish 2007 for multiple reasons, more obviously so because Abhishek and I got married and I am very thankful to god. I feel blessed. It is beautiful and super special.

Rajeev Masand: Its been more than a year since your last Hindi film was released and hence you can understand the excitement around your next release, which is Jodha Akbar, which is just a few weeks away from release. What was it about the story that drew you, when it was first offered to you?

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan: I think it was the same intrigue and curiosity which you would have. The very obvious reason that this is a love story, which is untold. It has not been documented or registered or recorded. And it was so wonderful of Ashutosh that he was telling a story of a boy and a girl or be it an emperor and a princess in such a simple way. At the end of the day, in that era and time, they came together. Although it purely looked like a political move and alliance, it was, however, a most beautiful relationship of a marriage.

Rajeev Masand: Was it a very physically exhausting film to make? Apart from being a love story, there is a fair amount of action that you are doing in it. Did the training in Last Legion help?

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan: Yes. However, due to the time constraint during Last Legion, I was unable to join them weeks in advance for heavy training. But the fight masters there pointed out that because I had dancing in my training background and if enjoyed it so much, that it was easy for me to take to the choreography of action and I seemed to enjoy that as much. I love action and I thoroughly enjoyed it and I wish Ashutosh gave me more opportunity for sword fighting. But we had to remain true to the script. I confess I love action.

Rajeev Masand: You just completed Sarkar Raj with your husband and father-in-law. Having seen Sarkar, and knowing Gopal verma, everyone is sure that it will be an interesting story. How do you sift through so many offers?

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan: Ram Gopal Verma is very fascinating and has a fantastic mind and you have to credit the guy for giving his audience a lot of variety over the years. He brought that with such fervour and we as an audience enjoyed it. He as a director is ready to go with his film tomorrow and somehow I never had tomorrow at hand. We never made it with the dates but I am glad I did make it this time and I enjoyed working with him. I enjoyed Sarkar as an audience and I thoroughly love the movie and I am sure you will back me on that. It was thus an easy yes and a very easy yes to be with the family. However, when the camera rolls, we are professionals delivering what the director needs and call a cut and we are family again. That’s the way it has been and it is always incredible working with the powerhouse of talent. And I am not biased here.

Rajeev Masand: You have been shooting for Pink Panther 2. I am guessing that you grew up on the original Pink Panther films. So was it fun? Did you pinch yourself and say you are doing pink panther?

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan: Yes, exactly! It brings a smile to your face. This was exactly my reaction. It is Pink Panther! That was exactly my reaction. It just fit in with the time and schedule. When I asked Abhishek, he said, ‘It’s Pink Panther, just do it’. It is a fun family film. We love Steve Martin’s cinema. He has always entertained families, and has a unique comic timing and it was fun working with him and the team. I thought it was an awesome idea for him to cast people from different parts of the world and make an universally comic film.

Rajeev Masand: Shankar, the director of Shivaji has revealed that you are the heroine of his new film Robot opposite Rajinikanth.

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan: They are super entertainers independently and together. I am saying independently because Shankar has been really sweet before Jeans and even after that. He has always asked me for his various projects but due to time and schedule, I could never come around making it happen as I already had other commitments. Rajini sir and Shankar are pure creative people. Saying no can and could be such an issue.

Recently Shankar did approach me and narrated the script. But we could still work it out. I am still working on my dates. But if he is confirmed it then it is cool. It means we will be on board and will work it out.

Rajeev Masand: It has also been said that you have been signed at a price that is the highest ever price paid to an actor in a Rajinikanth film.

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan: It is not that as much as speculation and a lot more chattier like there is a dearth of it anyways. I don’t know how to react to all this.

Rajeev Masand: Was it important for you to have an interesting role as heroines can get sidelined in a Rajinikanth film?

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan: I don’t think that is a fair perception to have. The fact remains that Rajini sir is just super fascinating and intriguing to his audience. So it is not the question of a director attempting to sideline any actor or character on screen. But you can’t help but be fascinated by this persona called Rajinikanth sir and his audience just truly loves him. He is just such a wonderful human being. I am just so glad, privileged and honoured to be working with him.

Rajeev Masand: The family is going to be in Barabanki shortly to announce the Aishwarya Rai school for girls, which is a very noble gesture. Are you going to play a significant role in that?

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan: I am very humbled by the commitment that the family has made and I so privileged to belong to a family that made a commitment a year ago and is keeping to its word and is realising the commitment very soon. You have to wait for the details of date and nomenclature. But more than anything else, it is the whole thought and idea and it is straight from the heart.