/> We saw them together in that sizzling item song in Shaad Ali's Bunty Aur Babli. Now Amitabh, Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai are being teamed together for the first time, by Ram Gopal Varma in his sequel to Sarkar.

Says Ramu, "News travels fast! Yes, it's true Aishwarya has agreed to be a part of Sarkar 2. We only need to work out her dates. She'll of course play the lead opposite Abhishek."

Considering how much in the news the Abhishek-Ash pair is, Ramu has got quite a winning combination on his hands.

Laughs the filmmaker, "I don't think that's the primary motivation for my casting Aishwarya. You see, I've been meaning to work with her for some time. Who doesn't want to work with Aishwarya Rai? But the vehicle has to be worthy of her presence. I did approach her on a few occasion earlier. Things didn't work out. I'm glad she's on finally."

Sarkar 2 which will carry forward the story of the Godfather-like political clan will now have Abhishek playing the messianic savior of the downtrodden. The senior Bachchan has confimed that he would have comparatively less to do in the sequel to Sarkar. But knowing Ramu's passionate proclivity for the Big B's histrionics there's bound to be more of the father Bachchan than it would outwardly appear possible.

"I can't say right now how much scope the three main stars will have in Sarkar 2. But Amitji, Abhishek and Aishwarya are going to be seen in a light not cast before," says Ramu.