Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is back in the news. The buzz is that Sanjay Leela Bhansali might cast her for his next movie after Guzaarish. The ace director jokingly referred to the topic at the film’s first look launch in Mumbai on September 23rd. Here is what happened…

Watch more: First Look Of Ash-Hrithik In ‘Guzaarish

At the first look launch, a particularly nosy reporter asked Aishwarya how she felt about having worked with both older actors (Salman Khan, Shah Rukh Khan and Ajay Devgan) and younger one’s (Hrithik Roshn) in each of Bhansali’s films. A miffed Ash replied that it didn’t matter whom she worked with as long as the director was okay with the casting. “I don’t know whether there was a question or a point he (the journalist) made. The fact is that most of the directors I worked with don’t get in to chronology, or statements, or sensationalizing casting,” Aishwarya said.

Immediately – the wonderful man that he is – Sanjay Leela Bhansali, came to Aishwarya’s rescue and clarified his position. “I would like to cast Aishwarya with Ranbir Kapoor also. Some people are timeless and it (their career) doesn’t just end with a decade ending.”

Then what? Aishwarya praised her favourite director to the hilt. “I have had the pleasure of working for Sanjay Leela Bhansali thrice but let me tell you that ‘Guzaarish’ is a beautiful piece of cinema,” she gushed. But we feel that Aishwarya Rai Bachchan might just be trying a little hard this time around. Although she’ll end the year with three big releases, Raavan flopped, while her film Endhiran – The Robot with superstar Rajnikant faces stiff competition from Anjaana Anjaani, which also releases on October 1st. In ‘Guzaarish’, Aishwarya plays the love interest of Hrithik, who plays a paraplegic magician.

Ace South Indian director Shankar says he has tried his best to make his wild imagination a reality in much-awaited bilingual sci-film Robot. He also says his lead actress, Aishwarya Rai, has evolved since the time they worked in Jeans together.

“The script was very difficult and I thought up a wild imagination and tried to make all of them come true with the help of the actors and technicians,” Shankar told IANS in an interview.

Robot has none other than superstar Rajnikant playing the hero. Shankar has made the film in two languages – Robot in Hindi and Endhiran in Tamil – and they are releasing Oct 1. Apparently, made at a budget of Rs.175 crore ($38 million), it is billed to be the costliest Indian film ever.

The director admits that Robot was a tough film to make but added that they finished it before schedule.

“Actually it’s a difficult movie and we finished it early. It should have taken a longer time. It’s not a normal movie. There are only two or three normal scenes. All other scenes were difficult to execute and it was a tough job for the actors too. When two humans interact, it’s very simple but when one human being interacts with a robot, everything is different,” Shankar explained.

The director, who teamed up with Aishwarya for the second time after Jeans in 1998, says the former Miss World has matured as a better actress over the past decade and is extremely hard working.

“She is now very experienced. In Jeans we had to experiment a lot…which we didn’t have to do in Robot and I am able to see her growth in acting. She is so hard working…she works from 7 in the morning till pack-up time. She is not only concerned about her role but is keen about other techniques and other aspects of movie-making… she is now well aware of that,” said Shankar.

While he says it was a tough movie to make, he assures that technically advanced Robot will appeal to one and all.

“I am fully satisfied with the outcome. It’s fully original and it’s an Indian science fiction. It’s one of the most simple science fiction films anyone has made. People in villages will also be able to understand it easily…it’s perfect for the Indian audience,” the director said.

“The script is more like an international film. Anyone from anywhere can understand, identify and enjoy the movie,” Shankar added.

Read more at: http://movies.ndtv.com/movie_story.aspx?section=Movies&Id=ENTEN20100154438&keyword=bollywood&subcatg=MOVIESINDIA&nid=54859&cp

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Priyanka Chopra are inevitably going to be pitted against one another on the 1st of October, as both the flicks, ‘Endhiran’, and ‘Anjaana Anjaani’, are now slated to release on the same day!
Even though ‘Anjaana Anjaani’, was supposed to be releasing on the 24th as per the earlier schedule, the release date has been pushed back, thus, this has made the flick clash with the much awaited most expensive flick ever made on Indian soil ‘,Endhiran’.
As known, Aishwarya and Rajnikant are two of the most popular faces to have ever embraced the Indian silver screen, thus, it is being assumed that their flick will have tremendous success at the box office. With tabloids reporting ticket sales being a complete sell out, this sci- fi sure seems to be a big winner.
On the other hand, ‘Anjaana Anjaani’, being a Ranbir Priyanka starrer, and having some great foreign locales, with some great fun filled moments, a rom- com of sorts, is also touted to be one major attraction at the box office!
The buzz is however that will Priyanka give tough competition to the ever popular Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, will the two be in a only I’m the winner situation, or will it be a nail biting finish for both of them, where everyday will be a major competition day, with all eyes tabulating over who is the bigger crowd puller?
Well, this is getting tougher to decide! Just start counting downwards, till the ‘D’ day!

All we got to know about the forth coming flicks ‘Endhiran’, and ‘Guzaarish’, was that the first one has a record of being the most expensive Indian film, with a Robotic Sci- Fi theme, starring Southern super star Rajnikant and B-Town beauty Aishwarya Rai Bachchan.
The second film ‘Action Replayy’ has action master Akshay Kumar and Aishwarya in the 70’s look, and Ash gets real physical with her fighting spirits in full bloom!
Here’s more peek- a-boo on the other USP’s of the flicks.
‘Endhiran’, which is to have very high tech gadgets as its first class USP, also has a lot of scenes with the lead couple, Rajnikant and Aishwarya getting into high action, which is bound to get the adrenaline rush in the audiences as well!
Reports are that Aishwarya, who just loves to indulge in challenging roles, tried most of the action sequences herself, she also undertook special karate training, and very bravely gave a shot for a fight sequence with Rajnikant. According to reports, this one on one combat, was so well driven, that everyone on the set was stunned by Aishwarya’s poise and confidence in enacting the action scenes!

Even in ‘Action Replayy’, Ash has evidently given some very perfect action scenes, she plays a very bubbly, chirpy and full on character in the flick, and has some very interesting fight sequences, which she has enacted herself, this , is becoming the talk of the town!
Reportedly, even the double that had been called for Ash’s action scenes, was quite impressed with the star and her style of action!
So, to catch Ash, in some real action, wait fir these flicks to release!!!

High fever forced Aishwarya Rai Bachchan to cancel her visit to the music launch of the Telugu version of her film Endhiran – The Robot in Hyderabad on August 6.

Though the actress was all set to fly to Hyderabad, she could not make it because of the fever but she did send across her her good wishes and thoughts through a speech, the actor’s spokesperson said.

Thanking the people of Hyderabad and the Telugu market, who have been very supportive through out her career, Aishwarya said that Endhiran – The Robot is a very special film, and the entire team had worked hard. She said that technically it was a first-of-its-kind in Indian cinema and she is very excited to share such a special film with the audience. The former Miss World added that she was elated that Robot’s music by A. R. Rahman was a chart- topping success. Describing her co-star Rajnikanth as an institution, a superstar, a massive talent and a humble man, she said it has been a honour sharing the same frame with him.

The actress said that director Shankar has pushed the envelope and taken leaps ahead in re-defining commercial cinema. “From Jeans to Endhiran, I have recognised that only he can technically introduce the viewers to a new world of cinema each time.”

The music launch was attended by Rajnikant, Shankar and Telugu superstar Chiranjeevi who was the chief guest.

Salman Khan was keen on releasing Dabangg on Eid and, as the man wanted, the film is releasing on September 10. But it is not going to be solo release. The Aishwarya Rai-Rajnikant film Endhiran (‘The Robot’ in Hindi), which will release in three languages, is also set for release during that time.

This box office clash was also the reason why Karan Johar postponed the release of his production We Are Family to September 3. Siddharth Malhotra the director of We Are Family says, “Dabangg and Shankar’s Robot are releasing on Eid. So we have Bollywood’s Rajnikanth (Salman) and Rajnikanth on the same day. It just made no sense for us to release with them. We are coming a week earlier, aaram se.”

But, Endhiran’s release date is still not confirmed, according to industrywallahs. But if the clash happens, it is a win-win situation for the both the movies. If Dabangg will do expectedly good in Hindi belt, Endhiran, which has Rajnikant and Aishwarya for the first time on silver screen, is sure to have a great opening in the south. Moreover, one can’t neglect Rajni’s god-like status there.

In fact, Rajnikant who has not visited Mumbai for the last 15 years will make a rare public appearance for Endhiran’s music launch in the B-town.

So, Kiska chalega dum!

It is tragic that most of the mega-budgeted Bollywood films turn out to be bummers but they make history because of those extra zeroes in their production cost. Now, here is Rajnikant-Aishwarya Rai-starrer south film Endhiran which has created history by becoming the most expensive film to be ever produced in India. Yes, the movie’s estimated budget is said to be between Rs 150-190 crore. Whoa! That’s astounding.

The director of the film S Shankar admits that the film has a whopping budget. “We realize that we have made the costliest Indian film but when it’s Rajnikant and Aishwarya, it is justified,” Shankar is quoted as saying. So what makes Endhiran (Tamil), The Robot (Hindi) and Robo (Telugu) special and so expensive? Mind it, this jaw-dropping figure is not because of the hefty acquisition amount.

According to a daily, the 40 percent cost of the movie has gone in special effects. Endhiran has animatronics, a technology which is used previously in films like Jurassic Park, Terminator and recently in Avatar and as India has no such technically efficient studios, the effects were done at the Stan Winston Studios, USA. Moreover, Ash and Rajni had a foreign crew that included international costume designer E Vogt and stunt coordinator Yuen Woo Ping during the shoot in countries like Brazil and Peru. A song was specially shot in Machu Picchu, a heritage site in Peru.

If Ash has admitted that she is paid a whopping Rs 6 crore for the film, highest for any actress, superstar Rajnikant could get a hard-to-believe Rs 45 crore (or a share from the profit), as rumours go.

The last most expensive Indian film was Blue which was made at the cost of Rs 75 crore. Endhiran by that standard has double the budget.

For all the Aishwarya Rai fans here is a visual treat. The actress looks glamorous like never before in the most expensive Tamil film Endhiran where she is paired opposite superstar Rajnikant.

In the film, Aishwarya gets to don different looks. Various kinds of head gears and blingy dresses were part of her Endhiran wardrobe and the credit goes to fashion designer Manish Malhotra for creating such eye-catching outfits. For shooting of some of the songs, lavish sets were erected and innumerable costumes were used.

Made at a whopping cost of US $43 million, Endhiran will be released on September 24 with more than 2,000 prints, the biggest ever for an Indian film. The film will release in three languages – Hindi, Telugu and Tamil.

Check out the glamorous stills of Aishwarya from Endhiran:

South superstar Rajinikanth can’t stop praising Bollywood beauty Aishwarya Rai after working with her on Tamil film Endhiran, touted to be one of India’s most expensive film projects.

According to a source present at the music launch of the film in Kuala Lumpur last week, Rajinikanth said: “There is no other beauty in our generation like Aishwarya Rai. She is a born artiste.”

Rajinikanth, who shares mutual admiration for Aishwarya’s father-in-law, megastar Amitabh Bachchan, added jokingly: “Amitabh is looking at me from there and warning me not to praise her too much,” the source informed.

Though Amitabh was not present at the music launch, Rajnikant made his presence felt with his words.

Among those who attended the event were music director A.R. Rahman, director S. Shankar and few other technicians, apart from Aishwarya and Rajnikant with his two daughters.

Aishwarya wore an outfit by Manish Malhotra, who has even designed her outfits in the action-packed sci-fi film, which was earlier titled Robot.

The actress started her speech with a personal touch by greeting the 3,000-plus crowd in their native language.

The source said: “The crowd just went berserk… and was shouting ‘We love you’.” Aishwarya signed off by saying “see you” in their native language.

The film is set for a Sep 3 release.

Aishwarya Rai may be born and bred in this modern day world but seems like, she knows well how to strike a perfect balance between modernity and tradition. How would you feel if you find the lady, before whom the entire globe bows down in awe, bowing down to a veteran actor?
Aishwarya, currently, has been keeping busy with Rajnikant-starrer Endhiran, a Tamil film that will hit theatres this September. And the crew of the flick were in for a pleasant surprise when Ash came up with her respectful gesture towards the legendary icon.
After the wrap up of the shoots, Aishwarya, in true Indian ritualistic style, bent down on her knees and touched the feet of Rajnikant seeking his blessings.

A source who witnessed the incident from the set confirms, “After the last shot was filmed, Aishwarya touched the Superstar’s feet seeking his blessing. Rajini, who didn’t expect this, was shocked initially but soon composed himself and blessed her.”
Aishwarya’s graceful gesticulation may go a long way in bringing her more fame and success. Surely, Endhiran, that shall find its way into North India as ‘The Robot’ in Hindi, may be a big harvester in the box office.