When the cat`s away, the mice will play. If you`ve been wondering why Aishwarya Rai is hogging all the attention in the pre-release publicity of Sanjay Leela Bhansali`s Devdas, the reason simply is that Madhuri Dixit is way in the US of A.

While Mads cannot be drawn into making indiscreet remarks about her "favourite director", she is maha bugged at the manner in which Ash is exploiting her absence.Ash`s behaviour, of course, stems from a sense of insecurity: Madhuri is believed to have delivered a mind-blowing performance as Chandramukhi and Ash is currently a bundle of nerves. She has been all over the place waxing eloquent on Devdas and on her own role in the film. Ash sure needs all the self-promotion.

The low profile that Mads has kept in the run-up to the release of Devdas may actually end up benefitting Bhansali`s magnum opus. Surprises always work better. Has over exposure ever done anybody any good?