Aishwarya Rai has for long been insisting that she`d rather leave the numbers game to her rivals and concentrate on "challenging roles". Fair enough.But when she wants, Ash can be manipulative too. She has used her "good friend" Shah Rukh Khan to wangle her way into a Dreamz Unlimited film at the expense of the company`s partner, Juhi Chawla.

Juhi who is taking it easy after her daughter`s birth, had some time back announced Dreamz Unlimited`s plans to start two films this year, "one of which would feature me." But Ash has replaced her in the project. Wonder how Juhi feels about the sudden change but Ash is "thrilled to bits". The other film had almost been finalised as a Kareena Kapoor-Shah Rukh starrer, but the Khan is noncommital as of now: "We don`t know as yet who fits the role best."

That sure is some victory. After pushing out rivals to enter the Benegal camp, this is another feather in Ash`s cap