After waiting for months for Aishwarya Rai, J.P. Dutta has finally started shooting for his ambitious project "Umrao Jaan" with the actress here.

The remake of Muzaffar Ali's old classic of the same title will see Aishwarya in the role of a courtesan and poetess that Rekha played in the original.

The desert of Rajasthan has always fascinated Dutta, who has launched his new film after a gap of one-and-a-half-years.

Be it the blockbuster "Border" or Abhishek Bachchan and Kareena Kapoor's launch vehicle "Refugee", Rajasthan has always been an integral part of Dutta's film.

The first round of "Umrao Jaan" would be shot at the City Palace in this Rajasthan capital. Besides Aishwarya, other actors like Shabana Azami and Himani Shivpuri are also camping in the city.

The administration has beefed up security at the Hotel Le Meridien, on the outskirts of the city, where the actors are staying. The hotel is out of bounds for the media.

Abhishek Bachchan and Suneil Shetty are expected to join soon.