She started her acting career with Mani Ratnam's Iruvar where she played a character uncannily similar to Jayalalitha and now Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is all set to make a comeback to screen after a long maternity leave with a film to be directed by Mani Ratnam.Mani is very close to both Abhishek and Aishwarya. He has worked with the couple in Guru and Raavan.

But for his next he wants only Aishwarya.

Says a very reliable source, `Mani shares a fabulous equation with Abhishek and Ash, more the former. But this time he's planning to direct a film which has a very strong female protagonist's character. Mani feels there is little room for Abhishek in his next.`


Aishwarya has given her consent to her presence in Mani's next.

Says the source, `Aishwarya was very clear about her priorities after she became a mother.She gave a hundred of her time and concentration to her daughter Aaraadhya for two years. Now that Aaraadhya is ready for playschool Aishwarya can start thinking of seriously coming back to acting.`


Aishwarya was keen to return with a film directed by either of her two favourite directors, Sanjay Leela Bhansali or Mani Ratnam. Says the source, ` She was all but finalized for the item song in SLB's Ram Leela. But Aishwarya wanted some changes in the lyrics which Sanjay refused. While she's looking forward to working with SLB she's all set to return with Mani Ratnam's next project.` The movie-making genius' career has been under a cloud. His last two films Raavan and Kadalan have bombed and been heavily panned by critics as well.

`Mani too needs to make a comeback,` says the source which informs about Aishwarya's nod to the Mani Ratnam project.