Contrary to the rumours, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is playing a lead character in her hollywood flick, The Pink Panther sequel, not a bit role.

Sources close to Ash also refuted the reports that her role as a detective assisting the bumbling French police detective Jacques Clouseau, was earlier offered to Celina Jaitley who turned it down.

Ilene Starger the Casting Director on the Pink Panther confirms, "We never checked on any other actress, and, as I said in the past, I was resolute in my belief from day one that Aishwarya was perfect for this part!"

The shooting for the film is already on in Paris and the pictures of Bachchan Bahu and her husband have splashed all over the internet.

Wearing a white trench coat and metallic Christian Louboutin peep-toe shoes, Ash shot a couple of scenes with actors Steve Martin (Clouseau) and Alfred Molina, while Abhishek was hanging around looking like a trophy husband!

Accompanying Ash and Abhishek in Paris was Rai's international agent, Simone Sheffield.

In the past Asha has played lead roles in Hollywood films such as Bride & Prejudice, The Mistress of Spices and Provoked: A True Story, all of which targeted a select audience.

The Pink Panther franchise, however, has a world wide following and Aishwarya's presence in the sequel should entrench her as a mainstream Hollywood actress.