I'd never work with Salman: Aishwarya

I'd never work with Salman: Aishwarya
Tuesday, September 07, 2004 18:15 IST
By Santa Banta News Network

With her first international film, Bride And Prejudice, ready for release, Aishwarya Rai seems to be a popular choice for the covers of British magazines.

Besides Hello, Ash has also appeared on the cover of the UK-based Bollystan magazine.

Tell her about it and she laughs, "Is that me? The girl who can't pronounce 'nudity'? I guess they were hell-bent on proving me a prude. If I am one, I am one. I make no apologies about my inhibitions."

The actress will also find a wax replica of herself in London's Madame Tussauds, becoming the second Indian actor -- after Amitabh Bachchan -- to be featured there.

Back home, rumours about Ash signing a new film with former beau Salman Khan have been making the rounds in Bollywood. But the actress brushes them aside.

"Working with Salman is out of the question," she says. "And you can quote me on that! When I issued that statement ending my association with him, I was in hospital with a fractured foot. I wrote that statement from my hospital bed where I had lots of time to think about what I was doing. I am not the kind of person who would reverse her decision to suit her purposes. The question of going back on my words just does not arise."

"Come on! I let go of the chance of working with Sanjay Leela Bhansali to stand by my convictions. Why would I change my mind for a lesser film?" she reasons.

"I put on weight in the hospital. Gurinder Chadha wanted that filled-up prosperous look for Bride And Prejudice," she continues. "Then, Rituparno Ghosh wanted the same look for Raincoat. In that film, I look a khati-peeti housewife," she laughs again.

Ash's last release, Samir Karnik's Kyun! Ho Gaya Na..., saw her opposite Vivek Oberoi. But their real life romance could not save the film. Yet, every director from Shyam Benegal to Indra Kumar wants to cast Ash in his next film.

Recently, Ash turned down Santoshi's new film, Autograph. But Ash reasons, "Rajji and I go back a long way. He has been coming to me with every film since China Gate. For some reason or the other, I could not work with him. Finally, I HAD to say yes to Khakee. And I don't regret it at all. I had 20 days free time and I loved doing the film.

"Now, these headlines scream that I have turned down Autograph. Autograph was one of the projects Rajji discussed with me, but we mutually agreed that it wasn't the right vehicle for us to collaborate on. As for Sanjay, we met recently again. I did spend an evening at his place. But not for work. As usual, the press seems to know more about my activities than me."

Maalik Trailer: Rajkummar Rao's Grittiest Avatar Yet in a High-Octane Action Drama!

Tips Films and Northern Lights Films have officially unveiled the powerful trailer of Maalik, an explosive

Tuesday, July 01, 2025
Sarzameen First Look: Kajol, Prithviraj And Ibrahim Ali Khan Shine in Kayoze Irani's Patriotic Drama!

JioHotstar has unveiled the first look of its much-anticipated patriotic drama ‘Sarzameen’, and it’s already

Monday, June 30, 2025
Ajay Devgn Drops Action-Packed 'Son of Sardaar 2' Teaser: A Rollercoaster Ride of Romance, Comedy And Chaos!

Bollywood superstar Ajay Devgn has ignited excitement among fans by unveiling the official teaser of 'Son of Sardaar 2', the much-anticipated

Thursday, June 26, 2025
Sparks Fly, Stars Align - Saiyaara's Humsafar is Here to Steal Hearts!

Yash Raj Films & Mohit Suri’s Saiyaara is the best romantic album of the year and the fourth song from

Wednesday, June 25, 2025
Highly Anticipated Films releasing this July- From Maalik to Son of Sardaar 2!

This July, cinema lovers are in for a treat as the big screen lights up with a bold and diverse lineup. From the

Monday, June 23, 2025