Next Mani Ratnam's movie is going to star Aish and Abhi again

After 'Guru', Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai will team up again for Mani Ratnam's next venture. Based on real life characters, the movie will be an intense love story.

This will be Abhishek and Ratnam's third film together. After the terrific partnership they shared during 'Yuva', which Abhishek describes as his career's first turning point, and 'Guru', which he acknowledges as his second turning point, it doesn't require much calculation to see the creative and commercial viability of the Abhishek-Ratnam pair.

Ratnam will start shooting for the film in September with Abhishek and Aishwarya.

According to a source close to the project, "It's going to be a very intense love story. 'Guru' was more of a biopic with a cavalcade of characters claiming screen space, but this film will focus primarily on the romance. It's a very intense film and Mani's most romantic film to date. It is based on real life characters."

Aishwariya says Every day with Abhishek is a Valentine's day

Valentine's Day didn't turn out the way Bollywood's most romantic couple had planned. Aishwarya Rai had hoped to have her husband Abhishek by her side for the lavish premiere of Jodhaa Akbar. He arrived at the tail-end of the event on Thursday night. Eyebrows were raised and the hush-hush whispers started when the Queen of the evening showed up with her in-laws Amitabh and Jaya Bachchan. But no Abhishek.

Relax! It was only a delayed flight. Abhishek arrived in Mumbai almost at midnight. All Valentinian plans laid to rest. Aishwarya is as usual uncomplaining. "What a wonderful Valentine's gift. Everyone who has seen Jodhaa Akbar so far feels it's the perfect love story. And it doesn't really matter if Abhishek couldn't make it. For us everyday is Valentine's Day. Every time we're together it's Valentine's Day."

Protest increases Jodhaa Akbar's publicity

Ashutosh Gowariker, the man who almost won India an Oscar with LAGAAN is back. This time he brings another classic, JODHAA AKBAR. However, like with most big projects, the first formality, controversies and protests are welcoming the saga of the mighty Mughal Emperor Akbar (Hrithik Roshan), the rebellious Rajput princess Jodhaa (Aishwarya Rai Bachchan) and their love that shaped the destiny of a subcontinent.

Without getting into the nitty-gritties of the synthetic controversy, Ashutosh puts it plainly - In the case of JODHAA AKBAR, things are already entrenched in history. Agra Fort exists, Amer Palace exists and all the milestone events in history exist. So there is no scope for fooling around. He also refers to his thorough study of world famous and well documented references like Akbarnama and Ain-e-Akbari, by Abul Fazal. He adds that he personally went to meet the Jaipur Royalty, who are themselves from the Kachchawa Dynasty, to which Jodhaa Bai belonged, and shared the script with them, much before canning the first shot!

Aishwarya Rai Ramp Walk Endorsing Longines Bridal Collection

From MGR to Rajnikanth, Aishwarya completes a full circle!

Meteoric.
There are no other words that best describe the starry trajectory of Ms.Aishwarya Rai Bachchan.
From the memorable 'Mother Teresa' speech that clinched her Miss World title in 1994, to an internationally recognized actress in a decade, it has been nothing short of phenomenal. Though it was a give-in that the next level for established Miss worlds would be the greasepaint mecca called Bollywood, our lady had to wait for another three years to break into the Silver Screen with one of the biggest debut acts that others can only dream about.

As the leading lady in Manirathinam's Iruvar in 1997, Aishwarya Rai got the best start of her acting career, paired against two of the finest actors in India, Mohanlal and Prakash Raj.

Bollywood doors were thrown wide open after her first release and she jumped into the first waiting chariot, a dud named Aur Pyar Ho Gaya. It wasnt long before Shankar pitched her in Jeans in 1998, that was the defining movie that brought her critical acclaim and commercial success and shot her into the top league, the creme' de la creme of Bollywood Divas.

And the meteor was just warming up, defining the starry trajectory and settling in for a spectacular ride.
And what a ride it has been.
If it had been Jeans in 1998, it was Sanjay Bhansali's Hum Dil Chuke Sanam which was the blockbuster that brought her her First Filmfare award for Best Actress in 1999.

Taal, Kandukondein Kandukondein and supporting roles in Mohabbattein and Josh came next.

But the icing on the cake was Devdas in 2002. With Shah Rukh Khan and Madhuri Dixit, she wept, wailed, danced, shimmied, sashayed and wept some more and was suddenly the toast of every single media house in the country.

More than King Khan and Mme.Dixit, what also kept her in the cynosure of public attention and curious affection was the now hot-now-cold affair our lady got involved with Mr.Biceps a.k.a The Chiselled Torso, Salman Khan.

It was a double bonanza for everyone.
Publicity begat more publicity and the star shone brighter.

More international exposure came with the release of Bride and Prejudice, Gurindher Chaddha's Bhangra meets British take on the very English novel Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.

The Mistress of Spices came next, and was more of a yawner.
But by now, Aishwarya Rai had become the reigning Diva of the Bollywood Star wagon. Which was pretty much evident for the fact that, she could do with just a 7 minute song and dance hit in Bunty and Bubli - Kajra Re, an appearance that was meant to be the additional 'drawing' factor for the movie.

Umrao Jan and Dhoom 2 came along in 2006.

Any mention about Umraao Jaan brings sweating nightmares of an experience even she would want to forget, even in her bad moments. Umraao Jaan was a period saga which never got anywhere. Period.

But redemption came in the way of Dhoom 2, the sequel to the hugely succesful Dhoom, and the popular title track plus the enigmatic-oh-so-there-but-not-there chemistry between Hrithik made sure the movie stayed in the center of attention.

It was back to mentor Manirathnam's camp in 2007, with Guru. The master made sure he got the best performances from his protagonists. The fact that the leading couple's sizzling chemistry had overflown the celluloid canvas again guaranteed additional draw to the marquee.

The next project under the title Provoked went to Oblivion Island on a one way ticket.
So did the much hyped Last Legion.

Jodha-Akbar seems to be the Valentines' gift for Indians in 2008.

Finally, its back to Shankar, for ROBOT, back to Tamil, and paired opposite the one and only Rajnikanth.
Its been quite a ride.

From being paired opposite Mohanlal's MGR in Iruvar to the love interest of the hi-tech Thalaivar in ROBOT.
And it still sees no slowing.
This meteor called Aishwarya.

Hot Hot Aishwarya Rai

Quick! Is there any woman in the world as beautiful as Aishwarya Rai? If there is tell us who she is and we will have a contest to prove that no woman is as gorgeous as Aishwarya Rai.

Aishwarya Rai vs. Augustina from South America

Our first contest is between the sexiest woman on Earth, Aishwarya Rai and the incredibly sexy Augustina from South America. Check them both out and tell us who you think is sexiest. We think Aishwarya will win by at least a 3 to 1 vote.

Aishwarya Rai vs. Rebecca Romijn

It is fairly clear that Aishwarya will win the contest with Augustina so let's start a new contest. How about Rebecca Romijn? Is she sexier than Aishwarya Rai? Tell us what you think.

Aishwarya Rai vs. Kate Winslet

We have a challenge. Someone says Kate Winslet, actress from the movie Titanic, is prettier and sexier than Aishwarya. What do you think?

Aishwarya Rai vs. Pam Anderson

Someone wants us to see who you think is sexier, Aishwarya Rai or Pam Anderson. We think this is a no-brainer. After all, Pam Anderson is all plastic and Aishwarya Rai is all natural. So come one, which is sexier to you? Prove us right!

Aishwarya Rai vs. Sushmita Sen

Another challenge is in. This time we are told that Sushmita Sen might beat Aishwarya Rai in a who is sexier contest. What do you think?

In 1994, at the age of eighteen, Sushmita won the title of Miss India narrowly beating out Aishwarya Rai, who was the favorite to win the contest. Twenty-two girls took their application out from the contest once they learned that model Aishwarya Rai was participating for Miss India. Sushmita Sen was one of them but her mother gave her the courage to face the challenge. Interestingly, Aishwarya Rai won every title in the preliminary round. Ironically, both Sen and Rai were actually tied for the title. It was with a tie-breaking question that got Sen the chance to represent India at the Miss Universe Pageant, held in Manila, Philippines.