Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is surely the most gorgeous face in Bollywood, yet it can’t be denied that the actress had to put in a lot of hard work to create a niche for herself in the industry. In a chat with Swati Chaturvedi on her talk show Kahiye Janab, Ash talked about her latest release ‘Raavan’, her relationship with hubby Abhishek and more.

Here are the excerpts:

Swati: While shooting for ‘Raavan’, you had Abhishek on the sets as a co-star, and then you would have dinner with him back home. Isn’t it like too much of Abhishek?

Aishwarya: No…(Laughs). You’re asking a personal question to get a personal answer now!

Swati: But really, how do you balance your personal and professional life?

Aishwarya: Honestly, there hasn’t been a definite plan for it. Having said that…I’ve been fortunate that opportunities did come my way. But I had to work hard for them and struggle a lot. Really, there’s no substitute to hard work. But for me, that’s a pleasure, because it’s been a passion for me.

Swati: You know, sometime back on this show, Sushmita Sen had said that she can never work as hard as you. What do you have to say to that?

Aishwarya: (Smiles) That’s very sweet of her! But I’d say that she’s just been following her heart. You know you must enjoy what you do. You don’t have to throw yourself in it. Earlier, when I used to do modeling, I was just a student, but when I used to do it, I was like a thorough professional, because I enjoyed it.

Swati: But from being an architecture student to modeling to doing movies in the South – if you look at it, it must have really been a struggle.

Aishwarya: Yeah…but when I say it’s not been easy, that’s how I look at it today. For me, the opportunities are something to work hard on, and made memorable. I’ve had the good fortune to mix the two from the beginning. I would say that I’ve been fortunate to have got the chance to work with the best of filmmakers in the industry.

Swati: So, what’s been your most difficult role so far?

Aishwarya: We’re talking about ‘Raavan’, so that’s what is coming to my mind. Right now, I think ‘Raavan’ has been the most challenging of all the roles I’ve done in the past.

Swati: And is it also because of Mani Ratnam…Mani Sir…are you scared of him?

Aishwarya: No…He’s a friend. You know everyone says that he’s a taskmaster; he’s more like a teacher. He’s somebody who’s looking to create something memorable all the time.

Swati: Who’s better – Abhishek as a co-star or Abhishek as a husband?

Aishwarya: See, husband is a husband! (Laughs) As a co-star, the kind of work, we’ve managed to do together in the recent past, has been good. Each of his co-stars says that he’s fun to work with. But there is a very serious side of him too. And I knew of it before we became a couple. And I would say, that of late he’s been making brilliant choice in terms of the work he’s doing.

Swati: But it must be very difficult for Abhishek to be so grounded despite being the legendary Amitabh Bachchan’s son.

Aishwarya: That’s what’s so wonderful about him. Right from the beginning, he did not use that to any kind of advantage. He always says ‘Of course I’m proud to be his son’. You know, he respects it, he takes pride in it.

Swati: And your relationship with your father-in-law also seems very interesting…you know…you call him Pa..

Aishwarya: Yeah…we’ve a great equation…but we’ve got to attribute it to our family and upbringing.

Swati: Now, what do you have to say about the labels like ‘Abhi-Ash’ or ‘Saifeena’?

Aishwarya: Well, I just think they make for easier writing. I guess it’s a term people use for easy labeling! But yes, wishfully we hope to make a difference together.

Aishwarya Rai says she is fully convinced that actor-husband Abhishek Bachchan will make a good father in real life because he is so “real and rooted”.

“Everybody has been asking me if Abhishek will be a good pa (father) in connection with the release of our forthcoming production ‘Paa’. I think it’s silly for me to be even making the statement. It’s given – I married the man. So obviously I have the conviction in the husband he is or the father he will be,” Aishwarya, 36, told IANS in an interview here.

Asked about Abhishek’s qualities that would make him a good father, Aishwarya laughed and said: “He is very real, very rooted and very human – which I absolutely relate to. His values are evident for everybody to see. We have known each other for so many years.

“I’ve seen him with his niece and nephew since the time they were babies. He is so great with kids and I’ve seen that for the longest time with (his sister Shweta’s children) Navya (Naveli) and Agastya. I have no doubts on him whatsoever.”

Aishwarya, who will be seen with Abhishek in “Ravana”, was in the capital Monday to launch the Longines PrimaLuna, a new watch range inspired by the moon and galaxy.

Sporting a sleek piece herself that matched with an elaborate yet elegant black and cream off-shoulder gown, Aishwarya was at peace talking about her personal life.

Asked whether she would want a daughter or a son, she said: “Come on…Aren’t you like moving at a really fast pace…! Whatever god has in store for us in life (will come)… Life itself is a blessing, let alone to have opportunity to be able to bring a life into this world.

“It’s really not in our hands …it’s in god’s hands. I hope I am just blessed with that experience, I am really looking forward to it and we will certainly cherish it,” she added.

Her mother-in-law Jaya Bachchan is a member of the Samajwadi Party, but Aishwarya is doubtful if she will ever head in that direction.

“Life has been so full – haven’t even thought about it (entering politics). My life is evidently extremely full in terms of the amount of responsibilities and experiences I am currently having.

“And I believe, anything you take, you have to be able to commit to and give a lot of yourself to. And I think at this point, life is full and that’s what I am giving (my best) to,” she said.

On the work front, the former beauty queen is busy with big ticket projects such as Mani Ratnam’s “Ravana”, Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s “Guzaarish”, Rajnikant starrer “Endhiran” and Vipul Shah’s “Action Replay”.

The actress is likely to feature as Mumtaz Mahal with acclaimed Hollywood actor Ben Kingsley in “Taj”, which is based on Taj Mahal.

“After ‘The Last Legion’, Sir Ben and I were keen to work together in another project. He has now come with the final draft and he has just sent it over to me. Once we agree on everything, we will take the project forward. He will start scouting for the locations soon,” she said.

For now, Aishwarya is looking forward to AB Corp’s “Paa”, which features her father-in-law, megastar Amitabh Bachchan, and Abhishek. The film releases Friday.

Following the most awaited celebrity nuptial of the year; all eyes were on Shilpa Shetty’s wedding reception. And at the gala event itself, the whole glamour world seemed to have descended.

Be it the Bollywood super stars or other tall names from different walks of life like sports, fashion and you name it, they were all there on the night to wish the newly wed couple!

Shilpa and millionaire hubby Raj Kundra simply couldn’t have hoped for a better night to ring in their wedding celebrations!

Among the prominent names in what seemed an ever burgeoning guest list were Bollywood bigwigs Shahrukh Khan, Amitabh Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Hrithik Roshan, Kangna Ranaut, Karan Johar and many more.

All guests were treated to a sizzling round of drinks and a host of delightful spreads to gorge on.

Shilpa looked heavenly in a gorgeous golden gown while groom Raj was turned out nattily in a smart black suit, complete with golden embellishments.

Taking some time out from greeting guests, a visibly happy Raj gushed, “I am a really lucky man. I am feeling very happy.”

Well, we are very for them too!

Call it a sizzling night for a sizzling couple!

Before you get your grey cells into action, we would like to divulge that the good news, which Bollywood’s power couple Abhishek Bachchan & Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is talking about, isn’t the one which you always love speculating (Abhi-Ash’s parenthood). Instead the couple has come up with something which will benefit you in more ways than one!

Well the beauty soap brand Lux that has created history by bringing together the hottest couple of Bollywood – Abhishek and Aishwarya for the first time ever in their new commercial, has brought the golden couple together once again to announce some great news for all their fans and the consumers alike. The new Lux variants are now not only enriched with the essence of beauty oils but there will also be thousands of 3 gram gold coins to be found inside the new range of soaps!

If that’s not good enough, the brand also has some mega prizes to be won. All consumers need to do is buy the soap and they could stand a chance to find a gold coin inside it. This limited edition offer is valid across India on all soaps manufactured between 25th October 2009 to 20th January 2010.

Announcing the Gold Coin Offer, Bollywood’s golden couple Abhishek & Aishwarya Rai Bachchan said, “We are elated at the fabulous response to our first ever brand endorsement for Lux. We are thrilled to take our association one step further by announcing this great gold coin offer, in which thousands of 3 gram gold coins can be won by simply purchasing a Lux soap.”

So what are you waiting for? Rush to your closest retail store and make the most if this irresistible offer, with dual benefits of beautiful skin and a chance to win a 3 gram gold coin!