Aishwarya Rai has been around for quite a while and despite doing a few applauded roles, she has remained what she started off as — a pretty face. So, when director David Dhawan stated that "Ash has very good comic timing", invitees to a special screening of Hum Kisise Kum Nahin, took the claim with a pinch of salt.

While it is too early to pass judgment on her portrayal of Sarat Chandra Chatterjee`s Parvati in Sanjay Leela Bhansali`s Devdas since there won`t be any preview of the film, crtics, starcast, friends and family were in for a pleasant surprise to find a "natural Ash shedding all synthetic mannerisms to come up with a bravura performance in this laugh a riot." Even the normally reserved Bachchan couldn`t help patting her on the back.

It`s too premature to decide how Ash has turning into a `serious` actress, there are indications though that meditation and the Art of Living programme have done wonders for her.