By Jilawatan

Unfazed by the fate of her films at the box office, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan counts her blessings as she reaps the fruits of years of hard work.

This year, except “Endhiran”, “Guzaarish”, “Raavan” and “Action Replayy” haven’t done too well at the BO. How much does that bother you?
Not at all. I got a great review for each of the films that I worked in, whether it was “Endhiran”, “Raavan”, “Action Replayy” or “Guzaarish”, so for me, it’s been a terrific year. Everything that I set out to accomplish when I took on these movies, as an actor, and in terms of the response I was looking for, I have been able to. Because, as an actor with so many years of experience now, you know when you take on a subject what potential the character per se holds. No one can ever preordain the destiny of a film and I say destiny because it’s literally that. After so many years, you cannot necessarily say that a great film is a superhit or it’s the other way around. I’m happy that the response from critics and audience has been so overwhelming for each of the characters essayed, no matter how different they were from each other.

By Jilawatan

This Friday will see the return of one of Bollywood fan’s favorite jodis when Guzaarish, starring Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan opens in theaters. The early buzz is that the duo has created magic on screen in their roles of Ethan and Sofia in the Sanjay Leela Bhansali directed film. We thought in honor of the film’s release we would take a look at some of the best scenes between the reel couple and then because we wanted to, and knew you, our dear readers, would enjoy it, we also decided to list some of the highlights from their separate films.

Hrithik and Aishwarya’s Magical Jodi

By Jilawatan

Close to two decades of constant media attention, yet she remains a glittering icon, more symbol than real, defined almost entirely by how she looks.

Aishwarya Rai has an ‘adjective’ problem. She is reportedly the highest paid actress in Indian cinema with her pick of the best roles, banners and directors. Each of her movies in 2010 — Raavan, Robot, the recently released Action Replayy, and soon to premiere Guzaarish — is a five-star production that most actresses can only dream about. This is the face that has launched a thousand magazine articles, and yet not one word in them reveals the woman behind that immaculate visage. Nearly two decades of constant media attention later, she remains a glittering icon, more symbolic than real, defined entirely by how she looks. “I don’t know of anyone who is crazy about Aishwarya,” says filmmaker and critic Paromita Vohra. “[Hers] is a sort of empirical or quantitative success, by virtue of ticking off all the correct surface qualities.” And that perfect ‘surface’ is all that everyone talks about.

By Jilawatan

Madhuri Dixit comes straight to the thinking minds whenever we trouble ourselves over the face behind that smiling assassin. Even the late Madhubala whispers into our ears with her million dollar smile that had the entire nation drooling over her hypnotic charm. But, amongst the current rooster of actors, I have picked up the two ruling ladies: Katrina Kaif, the Princess of Popcorn and Aishwarya Rai, the beauty personified.
1. Katrina Kaif: With a complexion as milky as the resplendent moon, her toothy smile gives her an electric look. When she smiles, her eyes narrow to mere slits as men find themselves getting forlorn behind that oozing sex appeal. No wonder, hunks like Salman and Ranbir have been mesmerized by that brilliant spark behind her lips.
2. Aishwarya Rai: She has carried the mettle of the world’s most beautiful woman for close to two decades. From Salman to Abhishek (with a Vivek in between) have fallen preys to those predatory eyes that lighten up when her lips split into a curve. Her killer smile, undoubtedly, adds to her lightning bolt beauty often transporting the male voyeurs into a world of fantasy and dreamy imagination.
So, dear readers, think and vote and be impartial. It’s a battle between Ash and Kat.

By Jilawatan

Bollywood is surely a male dominated industry. Actors in their 40s romance with 20 something Bollywood heroines and no one raises an eyebrow, but if any actress gets paired with a hero younger than her tongues start wagging.
Actors continue to enjoy cult status irrespective of their marital status while it has been widely believed that men stop fantasizing about their actresses once she gets married.

By Jilawatan

Looks like South star Vikram is smitten by his Raavan co-star Aishwarya Rai (after all, who isn’t). Vikram who plays the endearing character loosely based on Ram in the Hindi version is all praise for Ash.
He recalls how good a dancer she is. He hails her dancing skills to be as good, if not better, than the legendary Madhuri Dixit. Speaking of the experience in Raavan, he says. “It was really nice to see her dance. I just forgot my own steps and kept staring.”
Aishwarya Rai plays the demure and vulnerable role based on Sita in both the Hindi and Tamil versions and she plays her character with grace and effortlessness. Vikram sums it up beautifully as he cites, “It’s strange that every Miss World and Miss Universe enters movies. But who has had the lingering impact of Aishwarya’s? She has some kind of an enduring aura. Over the years she has really evolved as an actor.”

By Jilawatan

By Jilawatan

Vikram, who makes his debut alongside Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in the three versions of Raavan in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu (the dubbed version), got to share the most daunting experiences in the jungles of Kerala including dancing high above water-level on very slippery rocks.

Says Vikram, “Yes, it was quite an experience. I’m a good fighter, but not quite the dancer. I’ve always felt that Madhuri Dixit was the best dancer ever. But then, I saw how Aishwarya held her own in Devdas. I thought it was fantastic. So, while shooting for Raavan, I just forgot my own steps and kept staring. Every hero from the south wants to work with her at some point in his career. I got my opportunity finally. It’s wonderful that I’m making my Hindi debut with her. It’s strange how every Miss World and Miss Universe enters movies. But who has had the lingering impact of Aishwarya? She has some kind of an enduring aura. Over the years, she has really evolved as an actor.”

By Jilawatan

Bollywood has been ruled by the Miss World 1994 Aishwarya Rai for the last so many years and it is the deadly combination of her unearthly beauty and strong acting mettle that has brought the throne to her feet. But, how long will she work as a full time actress.

This article may bring some tears in the die-hard fans of Aishwarya, but it’s an undeniable fact that all good things ultimately come to an end. The points that are stacked against her continuity are:

By Jilawatan

In the ever-growing popularity of the reality show in India, this time two icons of Bollywood were chosen Madhuri Dixit and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan for the ‘Dance Premier League’ judge position. But eventually things turned out in the favor of Madhuri.

Though Madhuri had previously made many appearances as a judge in numbers of reality shows, it is like adding another crown to her stride.

According to sources, “Madhuri and Aishwarya were both being considered to be the judge for one of the teams. Aishwarya lost out to Madhuri as she quoted an exorbitant amount of money. The makers of the show couldn’t afford her and the scales tipped in Madhuri’s favour as she had demanded an affordable price.”
But the manager of Madhuri, Riku Rakesh Nath revealed,“The discussion is still on.”