'Aishwariya Rai died in a car accident in Germany last night due to severe head injury.' This was the vicious rumor that shocked everyone on Thursday morning.

Fans and the media went into a tizzy.

But fianlly the good news, which everyone was deserately hoping to listen, came from India. 'Ash is doing fine, please don't pay heed to the rumors.'

Says her business manager, "I don't know who is spreading these false rumours. I have got several calls from national as well as international media about this but let me clarify that Ash is fine."

Aishwarya Rai was back in Mumbai from Cannes to spend braely 24 hours with her family. She could've gone straight to Chennai to join Mani Rathnam's unit. But as she said, "Whatever little time I get from my work between schedules I'd like to spend with my family."

Now barely 24 hours in Chennai shooting for Guru, and Aishwarya rushed back to Mumbai for a very special occasion.

On Tuesday it was double-celebration time in the Rai household. Not only was it Aishwarya's mother's birthday but also her brother's marriage anniversary. It was an occasion that the global Ms just couldn't afford to miss.

Says Ms Rai, "I always prioritize my family above everything and everyone else. When all seems lost it's the family that stands by you."

Incidentally Rani Mukherjee is another family-oriented Bollywood diva. She gave up the pleasure of representing her film Kabhi Alvidaa Na Kehna in Cannes with Karan Johar for the joy of staying home with her newly-born nephew.