Aishwarya Rai Bachchan (selamat melahirkan bayi perempuan)

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Auction of Aishwarya Rai's 'Umrao Jaan' costumes begins
12th Nov 2006  18.00 IST
By ApunKaChoice  

J.P. Dutta had announced before the release of Umrao Jaan that the glamorous costumes worn by the gorgeous Aishwarya Rai in the film will be auctioned.

The money, which would be collected from the auction, will be used for constructive works.

Now when the film has been released, the auction of the costumes worn by Ash has begun.

One of the dresses worn by Ash in the movie was bought for Rs. one lakh.

This would be a testimony to the fact that Ash still continues to rule the Bollywood scenario, has got a huge craze among her fans and her ethereal looks added glory and glamour to the film.

Some critics may have panned the film, but role of the courtesan played by Ash has earned laurels for her.

The movie? costumes have been designed by Abu Jani, Sandeep Khosla and Anna Singh.

To design Ash? elegant outfits in the movie, the designers created new colour palettes after studying the paintings from the 19th century Avadh.

Ash? outfits were very heavy because of overuse of gota, embroidery and semi-precious stones. She also wore real jewellery in the film.

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Bollywood : 'Umrao Jaan' tops audio charts
Posted by admin on 2006/11/12 10:29:39  

New Delhi, Nov 12 (IANS) J.P. Dutta's costume drama "Umrao Jaan" is panned by the critics but its song "Ek toote huye dil ki" has topped music charts.

The top 10 Hindi film songs of the week are:

1. "Ek toote huye dil ki" - Film: "Umrao Jaan"; Music: Anu Malik; Singer: Alka Yagnik. The film is rejected but the song featuring Aishwarya Rai is enjoying the top position on the chart.

2. "Main hoon Don" - Film: "Don - The Chase Begins Again"; Music: Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy; Singer: Shaan. The stylishly choreographed song is being lapped up by music lovers.

3. "Crazy kiya re" - Film: "Dhoom 2"; Music: Pritam; Singer: Sunidhi Chauhan. This song is a fusion of western and Middle-East music.

4. "Jaam-e-mohabbat" - Film: "Yatra"; Music: Khayyam; Singer: Asha Bhosle. This ghazal sung by Asha Bhosle appeals to a niche audience.

5. "Hum ko maaloom hai" - Film: "Jan-e-Mann"; Music: Anu Malik; Singers: Sonu Nigam and Sadhana Sargam. It is a very soothing song and is quite popular among lovebirds.

6. "Kya mujhe pyaar hai" - Film: "Woh Lamhe"; Music: Pritam; Singer: K.K. The success of the film and the music has surprised trade watchers. This is certainly the best song in the album.

7. "Chak De Phattey" - Film: "Khosla Ka Ghosla"; Music: Dhruva Dhalla: Singer: Kailash Kher. The song, which has funny lyrics, is a fusion of the Indian and Western music and is ruling the music channels.

8. "Pyaar kar ke pachhtaye" - Film: "Pyaar Ke Side Effects"; Music: Pritam; Singer: Labh Janjua. The film has received rave reviews, which has boosted the popularity of the song.

9. "Mujhe haq hai"- Film: "Vivah"; Music: Ravindra Jain; Singers: Udit Narayan and Shreya Ghoshal. This love song has hit the right chord with young listeners.

10. "Pal pal" - Film: "Lage Raho Munna Bhai"; Music: Shantanu Moitra; Singer: Shreya Ghoshal. The song is back on the list after staying out for a few weeks.

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Aishwarya, Hrithik arrive in Sanganer for a period film
[ 13 Nov, 2006 0055hrs ISTTIMES NEWS NETWORK ]


JAIPUR: With the arrival of Bollywood stars Aishwarya Rai and Hrithik Roshan here on Saturday, the shooting for Ashutosh Gowariker's ambitious project on Mughal ruler Akbar and Jodha Bai is expected to get into full swing from Monday.

Dressed casually in T-shirt and jeans, Hrithik landed at Sanganer airport on Saturday evening in a private airline and was escorted to a five-star hotel on the outskirts of the city by six security guards.

Aishwarya Rai also followed late on Saturday evening. The historical venture is facing huge resistance from a section of Rajput society, alleging "tampering" with history.

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Is Ash? beauty ?clipsing? the ?ctor? in her?  

The industry speaks up!



?here is no excellent beauty that hath not some strangeness in the proportion,? said Francis Bacon, Sr.

But Aishwarya Rai defies that opinion of ?eauty?? In fact, her ?isual perfection? has become reason enough to eclipse her equally amazing acting talents? Filmmaker Boney Kapoor had once said that a ?erfect looker? (read: a great face complemented by a great body) can never a great actor make, simply because that ?erfection? cannot be digested by the audience; who begins expecting ?uperhuman? performances too each time.

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Is Ash? beauty ?clipsing? the ?ctor? in her?  



And the reality of acting, as envisioned by a director can never always match perfect beauty equally. Aishwarya Rai is in a similar current dilemma, once faced by Monroe and Bette Davis.

Her beauty is becoming her ?east?, distracting from her as an actor. And after 10 years in the industry and several awards later, it must upset the lady no end.

We spoke to a few directors for their views on Ash? beauty becoming the great visual block to her as an actor.

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Is Ash? beauty ?clipsing? the ?ctor? in her?  



Sanjay Gadhvi
(Director, Dhoom 2)

?ishwarya is not only extremely beautiful and attractive but also very sexy, hot and immensely talented. And there? nothing that? come in the way of her progress - no audiences? mental blocks, no over-expectations, no nothing. Ash? oomph has added to the sexiness of Dhoom 2. The truth is that the camera just loves Ash. One has to know how to use this beauty to enhance one? product (read: film) and that? where Aditya Chopra scores in his vision as a filmmaker. If the logic that a good face disrupts the recognition of talent is true, it should hold universally. Take Hrithik Roshan, Brad Pitt or a Catherine Zeta Jones, for example. They?e great faces too, but known for talent as well.

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Is Ash? beauty ?clipsing? the ?ctor? in her?  



Rahul Rawail
(Director of Ash? Bollywood debut Aur Pyar Ho Gaya)

?ishwarya is very talented and I don? think her good looks take away from her as an actor. People go through rough patches, and we shouldn? hold them responsible for things gone wrong.

It? people? mental blocks and misconceptions that ?odels can? act? that has probably worked against her.

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Is Ash? beauty ?clipsing? the ?ctor? in her?  



Subhash Ghai
(Director Taal)

?ishwarya has grown tremendously as an actor over the years. She? really come into her own of late. A thorough professional with die-hard commitment, Aishwarya must be having that certain something because of which she can survive even a highly critical media.

Currently she? one of the most talented actors of Indian cinema. In my opinion only she could play the role of Umrao Jaan with depth and presence.

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Is Ash? beauty ?clipsing? the ?ctor? in her?  



Pritish Nandy
(Producer Shabd))

?s far as beautiful faces are concerned, it is probable that the common viewer feels that they are ?nattainable?, and that makes the person appear more ?emote?, which in turn leads to people losing interest in the ?tar?. Also, when you haven? seen them around for some time - be it on the Indian screen or perhaps public appearances - it could have similar effects. The minute you lose the immediate point of interface with your audience, the image of ?emoteness? sets in. But that should never take away from Ash as an actor of immense talent. Of that there? no doubt.

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Aishwariya Rai on 'Guru'  



After Umrao Jaan, Aishwarya Rai will be seen in a different avtaar in Guru. Indiatimes? Madhureeta caught up with the star and got her talking on her de-glam look in the film.

Actresses who do de-glam roles say its very liberating to go sans make-up. How do you feel?
Interestingly, I work on the visual of each character, and very often with the director. So even if you've got very little make-up on, you're still creating her.


- Madhureeta Mukherjee

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Aishwariya Rai on 'Guru'  



For Guru you had to put on weight. So was it a treat for a change, where the director tells you to go and eat?

When the director says 'eat', it is not an issue for me because I always eat. I have a voracious appetite. The tougher the work schedule and longer the hours, the more hungry I get. But the difference was that for ?hoom 2? I had to bring tone to my body.


- Madhureeta Mukherjee

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Aishwariya Rai on 'Guru'  



It involved a little bit of working out as compared to my regular self. Mani (Ratnam) didn't want that; He didn't want toned arms.

When you raise your arm, he didn't want to see definition because that takes away from the woman of that era. He wanted a very regular Indian woman.


- Madhureeta Mukherjee

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Aishwariya Rai on 'Guru'  



Who is Ash's real Guru?

Life! I'd like to say parents, definitely.

But I would extend it to life as well, because every experience, every single day is a learning one.


- Madhureeta Mukherjee

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Ash all set to drive menfolks CRAZY!
Joginder Tuteja, IndiaGlitz [Monday, November 13, 2006]  



She may have won the hearts with her sensitive performance in 'Umrao Jaan' but box office had some different plans for her as the film struggled to even take off well at the theatres. But Aishwarya Rai has still reasons to smile as 2 weeks down the line she would have another release in the form of 'Dhoom 2'. And doesn't she appear in a role that men folk always wanted her to be seen in?

Hot leather pants, designer tops, a little skin show and loads of attitude - these factors are enough to drive the audience 'crazy' and this is what she intends to do through her hot'n'sizzling dance number 'Crazy Kiya Re'. Crooned by Sunidhi Chauhan, this Pritam composed number is one of the reasons why the album is still one of the top selling albums at the stands.

Pleased with the response the makers have unleashed the number on the satellite channels. This is a first in this direction since all this while only the action promos were beamed at both the theatres and the small screen.

Will this song turn out to be the 'Dhoom Machale' of the second edition of 'Dhoom'? Come November 24th and we should have the answers!

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Will Ash's career be 'provoked' enough
2006-11-13 16:31   Source : Moneycontrol.com


  
Los Angeles-based director Jagmohan Mundhra has been in films since 1982, but 2006 was probably the busiest year yet for him. He completed the film 'Backwaters', and has plans for two other films, one on the aftermath of the 7/7 bombings in London and a biopic on Sonia Gandhi.

But his highest profile project of the year is 'Provoked', based on the true story of Kiranjit Ahluwalia who moved to London after marriage and ended up in prison after murdering her abusive husband. Kiranjit? role is played by Aishwarya Rai in the film.

This is potentially Aishwarya Rai? most challenging role yet, that of a victim of domestic violence who avenges her agony. Her previous films outside Bollywood, like 'Bride & Prejudice' and 'Mistress of Spices' haven? fared well in America. But Jagmohan Mundhra, the director of this film, 'Provoked', believes this will be her breakthrough role.

Director, Provoked, Jagmohan Mundhra told SAW, "I? hoping what people say about Aishwarya not being suited for dramatic roles, will no longer be heard after this film. She was wonderful in the film."

The film has a strong cast. Naveen Andrews, now a major television star in the United States, plays Kiranjit? husband. Also featured are Nandita Das and Robbie Coltrane. Theatrical rights for the film have been sold in new territories such as China, Brazil and Spain, and Mundhra hopes for a simultaneous release of the film in India, the United States and England early next year.

Aishwarya Rai? career in the West hasn? really taken off. She?l hope that 'Provoked' makes a difference.

Anirudh Bhattacharyya

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?hoom? again!

Faheem Ruhani
Sunday, November 12, 2006  18:45 IST



Director Sanjay Gadhvi talks about baddie Hrithik and hottie Ash in his sequel ?hoom 2.?

Are you confident about creating ?hoom? again with ?hoom 2??
I have seen the first print of the film. It looks good. I? reasonably confident about ?hoom 2? being well received.

What made you cast Hrithik Roshan?
It was exciting to cast him as a bad guy because he looks so sincere and honest. Giving him a little edge and making him wicked was great fun. That? what excited him too.

Aishwarya Rai and Bipasha Basu have worked hard on their bodies for the film.

?hoom 2? is all about being cool, hot and sexy. If Anahita Shroff is designing such fantastic outfits then you need the body to complement them. The actors realised this. They also want to appear good in front of the camera.

Is Ash wearing a bikini in the film?
I leave that to everybody? imagination. It? for them to buy a ticket and find out whether Ash is wearing a bikini or not!

Why didn? you cast John Abraham in ?hoom 2??
Kabir (John? character) rode off the edge of the cliff preferring to die. Being a sequel, the film? much like a James Bond film where each time there? a new baddie. It would?e been an overkill to have John again. Look at Sherlock Holmes. You won? find him solving the same case again. So, is the case with books including Famous Five, Hardy Boys or Vikram Vaitaal. I apologise to the women in India though (laughs). But I? sure that they?e going to like Hrithik too. He? as hot and sexy.

The music of Dhoom 2 has not caught on yet.
How long has it been since the music was released? Do you expect people to take off their clothes or bombs to explode? People will take their time to hear it. Once you see the visuals, the music grows on you. I guarantee that in two months I will be asked the reason for the music? success.

There have been reports of ?hoom 3? too.

That? absolutely rubbish! It? speculation on the part of the media. There is no truth to it. Nobody is thinking about it right now. If there will be anything it would be much later.

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Customs finds 65,000 euros in Aishwarya? mail

Nirmal Mishra
Tuesday, November 14, 2006  01:50 IST



MUMBAI: A package addressed to film star Aishwarya Rai delivered a sensation in Mumbai? foreign post office when a routine check revealed its contents: 65,000 euros, or Rs29 lakh.

The package, said to have been sent from South Africa by a South Indian man, was to be conveyed to Rai? residence in Bandra (West).

Customs Superintendent SS Shenoy said the matter has been handed over to the Special Investigation and Intelligence Branch (imports).

According to sources in the customs department, Rai has told authorities that the package may have been sent to frame her. ?e have not jumped to the conclusion that Rai is guilty of some impropriety,? a senior customs officer said. ?e have to ascertain whether the money was actually meant for her.?

The officer, however, said Rai might be called for questioning if required.

JP Singh, deputy commissioner of the SIIB, refused to comment, saying the matter is confidential.

Rai? secretary Hari Singh told DNA on Monday that the incident was news to him.

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Orient Express

Vinayak Chakravorty

November 13, 2006

Two screen queens, two of a kind. Call it pure coincidence that Aishwarya Rai and Zhang Ziyi shared the opening date of their latest films in Delhi? cineplexes ? November 3 saw the release of Ash? Umrao Jaan and Ziyi? House Of Flying Daggers. But there is more in common between Ash and Ziyi than their shared tryst at the box office.

The highest paid female stars of their countries, the divas symbolise glamour in their respective national film industries. Both embarked on the path of fame early in life. If Ziyi was just 11 when she became a part of the prestigious Beijing Dance Academy, Ash was turning heads as a model while still a teenager, before finally winning the Miss World crown in 1994.

The divas have both been the chosen endorsers of Coca Cola in their countries. The two made it to Time? list of ?100 Most Influential People In The World Today? and shared the cover in the April 2005 issue of the Beijing Review, China? leading weekly magazine.

In 2003, Ash became the first Indian actress to be made a jury member at the Cannes Film Fes tival. In May 2006, Ziyi became the youngest Chinese personality to sit on the Cannes jury.

Ziyi courted worldwide fame for her films earlier than Ash, with home grown commercial hits like Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000), Hero (2002), Purple Butterfly (2003), House Of Flying Daggers (2004) and 2046 (2004).

Bona fide Hollywood studio deals came to her by way of Rush Hour 2 (2001) and, more recently, the Oscar-nominated Memoirs Of A Geisha.

Ash? blockbusters such as Taal (1999) and Devdas (2002) created ripples in the Indian diaspora. These films whetted her hunger for global stardom. A Hollywood agent and several Cannes red carpet strolls later, Ash was being offered ?nternational? projects. By 2004, Hollywood was still some distance away, but she was on the world map with Bride And Prejudice, Mistress Of Spices and Provoked.

Though the films did not hit the bullseye, Ash? frequent trips to the Riviera paid off. Coming up are a few true-blue Hollywood projects. Doug Lefler? $67-million period epic, The Last Legion, costarring Ben Kingsley and Colin Firth, has elicited mixed responses at advance screenings. The film opens worldwide next year.

Ash co-stars with Meryl Streep in a Canadian production, Chaos, and is all set to be wooed by Brendan Fraser in Roland Joffe? forthcoming Singular ity. A script with Will Smith is also being considered. The ethnic edge Significantly, both the actresses attracted foreign media attention for their intrinsic ethnicity. Not for once did either of them try to become an uberwesternised phenomenon.

Ziyi? forte has been martial arts ? that one-point formula that sweeps global audiences when it comes to anything that represents chopsticks cinema. Interestingly, while most of her starring roles have been all about chops, kicks and gravity-defying stunts, Ziyi has never actually trained in martial arts ? in fact, many of her stunning moves are improvised dance moves.

Similarly, Ash has primarily ridden her very Indian image in her west ward sojourn. It raises the ?uaint quotient?, making her an automatic choice for the role of exotic rebel queen Mira in Lefler? The Last Legion. In Joffe? Singularity, too, Ash plays an Indi an character.

At 27, Ziyi may have a few years? headstart over Ash, who has just turned 33. The challenge for both Asian stars remains the same, though ? in a white man? world, the two are out to give glamour a whole new complexion.

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Saif-Ash together?
by Debasis Jana



If everything goes right, Saif Ali Khan and Aishwarya Rai, for the first time, can be seen together on screen. As per rumours, ?hoom' director Sanjay Gadhvi will cast them in his next, to be produced by Shree Ashtavinayak Cinevision Ltd. The rumour also has it that Gadhvi is in talks with Akshay Kumar and Shahid Kapoor for playing pivotal roles in the film.

It will be an action entertainer and Hollywood stuntmen will be hired to execute the stunts.

However on asked, Denis Selarka of Ashtavinayak said, ?alks are on with several prominent stars currently and we wouldn't be able to confirm or deny anything at this stage. There's a lot of speculation vis-?-vis the budget too (Rs. 80 crores?), but its all hearsay.

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Customs call Aishwarya for questioning for a packet  



Mumbai, Nov 14: The customs department has called Bollywood star Aishwarya Rai for questioning in connection with a packet in her name, that contained undeclared 23,000 Euros (Rs 13 lakh) in hard currency, received by the foreign post office here.

"We have called Ms Rai to our office for questioning but no case has been registered in this matter so far", said A K Prasad, Customs Commissioner (Imports).

Prasad said the packet from a gentleman in the Netherlands and addressed to Aishwarya Rai had a declaration attached to it that it contained electronic items, which was found true. But it also contained a white packet containing some foreign currency which was not declared, he added.

"So definitely, there is some mis-declaration. So, we are trying to establish whether she (Rai) is aware of it or she is part of it or it`s done without her knowledge", Prasad said.

However, it is unfair to say one way or the other about her involvement without questioning her, he said.

The packet addressed to Rai landed in the foreign post office a month ago, Prasad said adding "after that we started a preliminary inquiry". He did not divulge the identity of the sender.

Under the Customs Act and FEMA, receiving an amount above Rs 5,000 by post is an offence which can attract a maximum punishment of three years in jail and fine, Prasad said.

He said a case can be said to be registered in such a matter only when a show cause notice is issued. So far, no such notice has been issued to Rai, he said.

There has been no communication from the actress in this regard, the customs official said.

Prasad said hopefully Rai would be in the customs office sometime next week.