Aishwarya Rai

Abhishek Aishwarya Anniversary

As many of Aishwarya’ s and Abhishek’s regular fans would be knowing, the couple got married on 20th April 2007. So this 20th, they celebrated their second marriage anniversary.

I know it’s 27th April today and i should have updated this website with their wedding anniversary news a week back. But i was very busy last few days. And all spare time was eaten up Indian Premiere League 20-20 cricket that’s going in South Africa. So, i really didn’t get anytime to update this blog. Anyways, as the famous saying goes on “Better late then never”.

Okay, so first of all, we would like to wish Aishwarya Rai and Abhishek Bachchan a wonderful and blessed second marriage anniversary. We always wish that you truly live as a happily married couple.

Now for the readers. Earlier, there surfaced some rumors that the making of “Raavan” has been suspended for some time due to Mani Ratnam‘s health issues. Apparently, the rumor turned out to be true. Ratnam, who was admitted to a private hospital, following breathing difficulty and dizziness, has been advised by doctor to rest for a while. As a result the schedule of Raavan has been slightly pushed ahead. So this gave Aishwarya and Abhishek, a chance to get away and spend some, much needed quality time together.

Aishwarya and Abhishek took a week-long holiday to an undisclosed destination. It has to be some exotic location in United States or Europe. But since it’s undisclosed so i better not start guessing. But what i do hope is that they spend a good time in there which this couple really needs.

On 20th April 2007, the couple finally got married. You can read all about that in here >> “Aishwarya Rai and Abhishek Bachchan, Finally Married“. After their marriage, the couple went for a month long “Honeymoon to Europe“. But their honeymoon was often disturbed by L’Oreal advertisement and endorsement commitments and the launching and premier of Mani Ratnam’s “Guru“. So you see, thy didn’t have a great time due to overloaded working at that time. Last year, when it was time for their first marriage anniversary, it was again busy schedule that almost kept them away from each other. Abhishek Bachchan at that time was shooting for “Dostana” in Miami, Florida. Aishwarya Rai had to join him there in order to celebrate their first wedding anniversary. This year they were supposed to be working again but Mani Ratnam somehow managed to let them take an off. So now probably you understand why i have been mentioning “a much needed quality time”? Also, you may also realize that being a star and such celebrity status, is hard to achieve and even harder to keep. The couple even refused earlier to Mani Ratnam’s offer of a week off. According to a source “Mani Ratnam had suggested he’d start the schedule later to give Abhishek and Aishwarya a chance to take time off for their anniversary. But the couple had refused. It’s only now when the schedule is pushed ahead that they’ve decided to take that anniversary holiday”.

We at AishwaryaWeb.com would like to wish Aishwarya and Abhishek a blessed marriage anniversay. At the same time we also wish Mani Ratnam a speedy recovery.

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan

In the recent few days i have heard about a lot of rubbish like Katrina Kaif replacing Aishwarya Rai in so and so advertisement, Kareena Kapoor dethroning Ash from top position etc. I think it is time to answer the critics with the best shot on who is the most powerful of all Bollywood actress. The answer has been unanimous. The most powerful actress in Bollywood is Aishwarya Rai once again!

Despite losing some advertisements and endorsements and even despite some recent unsuccessful movies, Aishwarya Rai was voted and chosen as India’s number one actress out of hundreds. She got the highest votes in a recent survey and she has proved to everyone that she still rules the Bollywood film industry. This survey was carried on a large scale by pretty famous Hansa Research agency in order to measure the “Celebrity Power in India”. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan topped the list and managed to outrank likes of  Priyanka Chopra, Katrina Kaif and even Madhuri Dixit for that matter. Wow! Isn’t that amazing?

If you remember, recently Aishwarya Rai was also honored with Padmashree award for her outstanding contribution to Indian cinema. The popularity of Aishwarya Bachchan is not ceasing down at all. With awards and prestigious recognition, she has brought pride and prestige to herself and to the Bachchan family and of course to India as well.

By the way, if you are wondering on what factors did Hansa Research agency chose Aishwarya Rai Bachchan as the most powerful actress, well they test this in categories like popularity, presence in the media, power of persuasion, and overall image through a survey. Almost ninety-nine percent of respondents recognized Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. The other one percent were probably just not interested in her, but probably still knew who she was. The poll helped to confirm the research from a recent study by Celeb Track. This poll rated Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and her father-in-law Amitabh Bachchan as the most powerful people in Bollywood.

It’s just not my voice in here, but millions feel that at the moment, no actress can match the level of success that Aishwarya Rai Bachchan has already reached. It is not just her Bollywood accomplishments that makes her the best known actress from India. She has worked in many projects in Hollywood as well plus she is well known in modeling arena. Everybody in world knows her. She is not just here in India, in fact she is everywhere.

I personally believe that we are yet to see the best of Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. Hoping to see best of Aishwarya Rai in her forthcoming films like Mani Ratnam’s Raavan.

Aishwarya Rai

Alright, so probably you did hear about the small argument that took place between our gorgeous, Aishwarya Rai and famous director Mani Ratnam. If you have been regular on our blog, you might have heard that Aishwarya is currently doing a Mani Ratnam film called “Ravana”. Apparently her husband, Abhishek Bachchan is also a part of this film.

So what went wrong on the sets of Ravana that led to to this argument between the two? Amazingly, this argument all started on a stupid make-up thing.

According to sources, director Mani Ratnam asked Aishwarya to put no make-up for her look in the second half of the film “Raavan” however Aishwarya refused to do so. The no make-up look was in accordance to the demand of the story, wherein, the character played by Abhishek Bachchan, abducts Aishwarya and her character undergoes a major transformation. Another source said “Mani wants to showcase her character without make-up in the second half. He believes that since she’s separated from her husband, the raw look is important to express the loss and pain she’s going through.” However it looks like Ash wanted a doze of make up every now and then. To which the source added ” There were times when Ash would sneak and put basic make-up and only then, do the shot. Mani would spot the slightest sliver of make-up and would ask her to go back and remove it.” It was evident that neither Aishwarya nor Mani Ratnam would back out on this stupid issue. Aishwarya Rai believed that basic make-up will not make much of a difference but Mani Ratnam did not agree.

I think Aishwarya Rai was right on her part and Mani Ratnam was just being stubborn. Mani called Ash as “an unprofessional actress”. Huh? That’s why he casted her again in the movie after Guru? Aishwarya Rai is 35. I’m sure you would agree that she is not as flawless beauty as she used to be few years back. And it’s simple aging factor that leaves no one at all. Now obviously a woman as beautiful as Aishwarya Rai, would not want to do a movie without make up. Basic make up, in my view should have been completely acceptable.

By The Way, i would like to add something here about Aishwarya’s professionalism. All big guns, filmmakers who have worked with Aishwarya say that she is a thorough professional. Subhash Ghai, who worked with her in Taal, says that he “still gives her example to young actresses. She is intelligent, sincere and dedicated even to details. She is the director’s perfect actor.” This is Aishwarya’s third film with Mani Ratnam and most directors she has worked with, have repeated her, including Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Rajiv Menon.

Bollywood film Industry insiders say that “why would they repeat her if she was unprofessional?” A source close to the unit of Ravana says, “Ratnam has been so impressed by Ash’s Tamil enunciation that he has decided to retain some of her Tamil dialogues in the Hindi version of the film too.” The source further says that “Ash has had the no make up look in Raincoat and Chokher Bali , thus why would she make a fuss over make up now.”

Jagmohan Mundra, who directed her in Provoked says, “Ash is underrated as an actress because of her beauty and pre-conceived prejudices. I liked her commitment and trust in me as the director. She never came to check the monitor or ask for another take once I said OK.” Samir Karnik, who directed Ash in Kyun ho Gaya Na, says that her novelty is incredible and “she is least interfering”. Says Samir, “Superb is the word for Aishwarya Rai. She is among the very few in the industry who understand everything in the very first narration. She is always eager to learn.”

Message to Mani Ratnam: Grow up man! No matter how big a director you are, you don’t ever fight with a lady that gorgeous! Also from now on, Mr. Mani Ratnam, chose your words carefully before you speak about Aishwarya Rai, next time.

Just a few days back, Aishwarya Rai unveiled the seven wonder of India, in Delhi and the function was courtesy NDTV. The show was hosted by NDTV’S famous figures Abhigyan Prakash and Vikram Chandra. When they invited Aishwarya on to the stage, they described her “Another India wonder” which she undoubtedly is.

The function of “Unveiling the Seven Wonders of India” took place in Delhi where Aishwarya Rai, dressed in a traditional outfit, performed with Shiamak Davar and troupe for nearly an hour showcasing the colors, heritage and popular music of India. All to the beats of happening Bollywood’s music and songs. Aishwarya Rai looked absolutely stunning in the traditional attire and i have managed to put up some high quality images of her from the show and few other as well.

Aishwarya’s performance at the function was cheered up by the whole Bachchan family including hubby Abhishek Bachchan, father in law Amitabh Bachchan and mother in law Jaya Bachchan. Abhishek’s sister Shweta along with her husban Nikhil were also present in the function. I am not sure but i did hear that Aishwarya’s parents were also present to grace the occassion as well. Apart from the family, there were other popular celebrities as well like great actor Kamal Haasan, fashion designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee, Maharaja of Mewar Arvind Singh, Ustaad Amjad Ali Khan, politician Amar Singh and artists Paresh Maity and Satish Gujral.

A close source to Aishwarya’s family tols the newsline “The whole Bachchan and Rai family was quite happy to see the Aishwarya’s performance and also they were cheering up at Padma Shri awards but now all are back to Mumbai.”  I hope you do know about Padama Shri award that Aishwarya was awarded a day before this function. If not, then read the post >> Padma Shri award for Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. As for what the close source said, i guess the word “happiness” is an understatement. “Proud” would be a better word to describe the family’s feelings. And Aishwarya is making India proud time n again. So everyone should be proud of the bollywood’s queen.

Oh! By the way, it’s important to mention the outcome of the unveling seven wonder of India function. The seven wonders include Jaisalmer Fort, the ancient Nalanda University, Red Fort, Konark Sun temple, Dholavira, Khajuraho, and the Meenakshi Temple. There were two more religious places named along with 7 wonders of India. Those being Tawang Monastery and the Golden Temple. When talked about Golden Template with Jaya Bachchan, she said ” have visited the temple many times. You enter and something happens. It has a lot of energy and is very peaceful.” On the same subject when talked with Amitabh Bachchan, he said “Golden Temple was special because he was half Sikh”. I didn’t knew he was half sikh but if he says so, then it won’t b hard to believe. I personally have visited Golden Temple hundred of times. It’s like a second home to me, and yes, it is special.

Okay, moving on to some details about the  function, the seven wonders were chosen from a list of 220 sites. Prannoy Roy, the chairman and director of NDTV, said “This is a campaign to build awareness about what we have in our country, so that our monuments and heritage are looked after better and local communities are involved in conservation”. NDTV will be launching a a campaign to promote natural wonders of India, perhaps sometime later in April-June’2009. Anyways, let me know about your thoughts on Aishwarya Rai’s magical performance and herlooks in a traditional outfit. It;’s good to hear from Aishwarya’s fans once in a while.

Aishwarya Rai made the Bachchan and Rai family proud on 31st March’2009 when she was presented with Padma Shri Award 2009. Not only the families but i guess this is a proud moment for every fan follower of Aishwarya Rai. At least i am pretty happy for her. Padma Shri Award was presented by Pratibha Patil at the function in the Ashoka Hall of Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Aishwarya Rai

The Bachchan family seems to have all the reason to be happy. After all, the tag of the Padma Awards seems hard to be leaving from the family. Amitabh Bachchan himself is an awardee of Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan. His wife, Jaya Bachchan, is an awardee of Padma Shri, and father, Dr. Harivansh Rai Bachchan, had been conferred with Padma Bhushan. And now Ash simply adds another feather to the cap. Ahem! now that’s Bachchan’s family for you.

Besides Aishwarya Rai, our Bolywood’s real king, Akshay Kumar also got Padma Shri award 2009. He and wife, Twinkle, certainly had a great joy as well. Veteran actress and dancing queen of yester-years, Helen, was also bestowed with the Padma Shri for her contribution to art and cinema. Famous playback singer of yester-year, Shamshad Begum, and director of the central board of Reserve Bank of India, Ashok Shekhar Ganguly were among other prominent persons to get the prestigious award from the president.

Dr. Kakodkar received the Padma Vibhushan awards for his contribution to the field of nuclear science and technology.

Padma Awards, that is to say, Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri aka Padmashree are given for exceptional and distinguished service in any field including service rendered by Government servants.

Our heartiest congratulations to our queen of hearts, Aishwarya Rai and kind Akshay Kumar for this achievement. Truly well deserved.

Update:I did manage to get some scans of the beautiful actress being awarded the Padma Shri award. And some sphotos of others moments from the function as well. Hope you enjoy ‘em.