Exclusive: Bachchans' World Tour details

Now it can be told.

The now on-then off World Tour by the Bachchans - featuring Amitabh, Abhishek, Aishwarya and possibly even Jaya - is finally taking place this July!

The family is waiting for the release of Ram Gopal Varma's Sarkar Raj - in which Abhishek and Aishwarya play business rivals - before packing their bags and taking off.

The first leg of the tour will take the Bachchans, to Europe and North America, over July and August.

They will then travel elsewhere, covering 25 cities in all.

Hrithik Roshan and Akshay Kumar - who were star attractions in the original line-up - have opted out because they had no dates to offer.

Instead, the Bachchans now have Bipasha Basu, Lara Dutta and Ritesh Deshmukh - among their entertainers - for the tour.

An excited Ash said, "It's always wonderful to be on stage with Abhishek and Pa (the Big B).

I remember what fun it was, when we did Kajra Re for an awards function, two years ago. That one act, was a fantastic rock concert by itself. Now going on stage as Amitji's daughter-in-law and Abhishek's wife, will be doubly fantastic!

We really do have a good time. I've watched Pa's earlier concerts, he rivets the audience, while Abhishek has a blast. All three of us love live shows, because we genuinely enjoy music and dance. So the world tour is going to be a grand party, on stage!"

Stay tuned in!

Aishwarya Rai to pen down an autobiography?

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan might tell her life story, through a book!

Life has been a roller coaster ride for Aishwarya Rai, ever since her fortunes were turned around with her winning of Miss World.

After that, the doe-eyed beauty carved a niche for herself in Hindi film industry, and went through many personal upheavals, before finding the man of her dreams in hubby, Abhishek Bachchan.

It is a life worth documenting and many authors and publishing houses have been approaching Aishwarya repeatedly, with offers of doing a book on her life.

So far, Ash hasn't given her nod to anyone.

Ash's manager - Hari Singh - has told a Mumbai tabloid that Ash might write her biography, instead of giving the job to someone else.

Singh says, "Ash has been fond of making notes about events in her life in a personal diary. There is a possibility that the material in this diary, might one day, be given the shape of an autobiographical book."

Reports go on to suggest that Ash might take the help of her writer mother Vrinda Rai, in this authorial venture of hers.

Stay tuned in!

Abhishek-Aishwarya coming together in Mani Ratnam's next

While poor onscreen chemistry was a major cause of concern between Abhishek and Aishwarya after Umrao Jaan's failure, things seem to have changed post Guru.

Post their wedding, they will be seen together for the first time in Ram Gopal Varma's Sarkar Raj.

And now Guru's director, Mani Ratnam has offered them another film.

It is a known fact that, Abhishek and Aishwarya share an excellent rapport with Mani Ratnam. When he expressed his desire to work with the couple once again, they agreed immediately.

Aishwarya's business manager - Hari Singh - confirms the development saying, "Yes, it's true that Aishwarya and Abhishek have given their consent to Mani Ratnam, for his next. The film will commence this year."

This romantic film will have interesting roles for this couple.

Mani Ratnam has his script ready and once he gets the dates from the actors, he will announce the project soon.

Stay tuned in!

Aishwarya Rai gets candid on Valentine's Day

It's Valentine's Day and love is in the air.

More so for Aishwarya Rai-Bachchan and hubby Abhishek, who are celebrating their first Valentine together, as a married couple.

And though tight-lipped about their plans for the day, Aishwarya says that her approach to such days is simple.

"Every day is a simple day and every day is a celebration. What you make of every moment is what it's all about."

Admitting that she's as curious as we are to know what the day will bring, she recalls the previous year's Valentine's Day when their affair was surrounded with speculation and rumours.

"It was a very special time for us, as we were engaged. But it was quite hectic. I was shooting for Jodhaa Akbar and working full throttle.

Going up and down to Karjat and knowing that marriage was not too far away, I was working at it all - completing the film and our marriage preparations," she reminisces.

So, what's her idea of a perfect romantic date?
"Togetherness is perfect, whatever the setting," says the Bachchan bahu.

And who's the more romantic of the two?
"I really don't know," she blushes, adding, "We don't get into all this. We are just very happy with each other and I think that in itself says a lot."

And what is the most romantic thing Abhishek's done for her?
"Well, he proposed to me! To want to spend the rest of our lives together is by far, the most romantic thing, I could've experienced. It is very special, very real," says the actress.

Is there anything she would want to change in him?
"Currently there is nothing that I need to change in him," comes the reply.

And what is the one thing she really loves about him?
"It's difficult to put it down to one thing. I just love him and that's why I'm married to him," she gushes.

"He's all rolled into one - a fabulous actor, a great husband and an excellent friend. I love him. He is the best in everything he does or is," she says flashing a dazzling smile.

Aishwarya is not doing Shankar's Robot

It was officially announced that Aishwarya was to play Rajinikanth's lead lady in Shankar's Robot, but it is official now that the former Miss World is no more part of the project!

So what could be the reason behind the twist in the tale?

Well, there are two versions:

# The first is that, Aishwaya Rai Bachchan is pregnant!

Could it be that, this lovely star has turned down the offer, because she is expecting her first child and, has hence decided against a project which is scheduled to start only later this year?

Until the Bachchans decide to release the pregnancy news (if any) officially, we'll have to wait!

# The second version is that, Ash was offered a sum less than she desired, so she declined the role in a huff!

Yes, it was earlier said that, she had been offered a whopping Rs 6 crore, for her role and that she had been okay with it. Now the talk is that, the actual offer was much less and not astronomical enough, for Ash's taste.

No matter which version is true, the definite part about the news is that Ash is indeed out of Robot.

So who is Shankar trying to rope in now? Deepika Padukone!

Will Deepika be willing to pick up where Ash left off?

Stay tuned in!

Aishwarya turns producer with the Hollywood project, Bhopal Movie

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is all set to act and play the role of an executive producer for the Hollywood project, Bhopal Movie.

The film is based on the story of a young woman's search for her father - a plant manager on duty - on the night of the disaster in Bhopal.

Aishwarya will be seen playing the lead in the film and her co-stars include Irrfan Khan, Anupam Kher, Shobana and Seema Biswas amongst others.

The movie was announced outside the Union Carbide factory on the 20th anniversary of the tragedy on 3 December, 2004 and is now in its scripting stage.

It is being directed by debutant Zachary Coffin, who acted alongside Angelina Jolie in A Mighty Heart.

Stay tuned in!

In the name of Ash: Bachchans open girls’ school in Uttar Pradesh

The Bachchans - Amitabh Bachchan along with wife Jaya Bachchan, son Abhishek Bachchan and daughter in law Aishwairya Rai Bachchan - were in Daulatpur village in Barabanki disctrict, Uttar Pradesh to lay the foundation stone for a girls' school named after the Bachchan bahu.

The school - which is named Shrimati Aishwarya Bachchan Kanya Mahavidyalaya - is the very first in that area, sprawling across 3.5 acres of land bought specifically for this purpose.

In her very first public address, Aishwarya said, "I was a little hesitant when the family decided to name the school after me. Since, there are so many other seniors in the family already.

I think it would have been more appropriate to name it after them. But now that they have convinced me, my only hope is to ensure that I can live up to their expectations."

In addition to the Bachchan family, a number of UNPA leaders including former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister - Mulayam Singh Yadav and Senior SP leader and close friend of the Bachchans - Amar Singh, also attended the ceremony.

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Aishwarya launches Lux Provocateur

Lux Provocateur - Hindustan Unilever's latest offering - is all set to capture women's unfettered imagination.

A fairyland glitzy and fun event marked the launch of Lux Provocateur in Mumbai yesterday by Bollywood's reigning queen, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan.

Lux Provocateur is a seductive bathing bar with a bold fragrance that reminds one of black roses and violets!

The black fragrant soap - encased in bold and shiny black - met its ideal match in Lux Ambassador - Aishwarya Rai Bachchan - where the tantalising aroma of the unusual black bars complemented the mysterious and remote beauty of Aishwarya.

Launching the Lux Provocateur, Aishwarya said that the black soap bar was reminiscent of a bygone era of delicate, elusive scents, and women who seductively commanded attention by their mystery.

Aishwarya opposite Rajnikanth in Shankar's Robot

It is almost certain that India's most sought after actress - Aishwarya Rai Bachchan - has signed the mega movie Robot, directed by Shankar.

Aishwarya Rai will play the lead role opposite India's biggest superstar, Rajnikanth.

According to the latest buzz going around in tinsel town, the deal was struck yesterday (Jan 23) noon. It is said that, Aishwarya would be paid a whopping amount of Rs 1.5 crore for the film.

The amount - if confirmed - will be the highest salary received by an actress in India!

Stay tuned in!

Aishwarya to do the Salsa!

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan will reportedly be presenting a scintillating dance performance today!

It won't be a performance for an awards night or a movie.

Ash will get jiggy for a special show, to mark the launching of a new range of a beauty soap, of which she is the brand ambassador.

The event will be held at Mumbai's JW Marriott where Ash will, reportedly, put in a ten-minute long Salsa dance performance to Latin American music.

She has reportedly been doing the rehearsals and practicing the dance moves choreographed by Sandip Soparrkar.

This would be her first stage performance since her marriage.

The last time she danced on stage was with Abhishek - for an award show - just before her marriage last year.

Exclusive: Aishwarya Rai with Michael Schumacher, Zinedine Zidane and Jean Claude Van Damme in the french movie, Asterix at the Olympic Games!

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan has added another diamond to her already dazzling repertoire of international movies!

The stunning actress will be seen sharing screen space with comic characters Asterix (the Gaulish warrior) and his pal Obelix(the delivery man), in one of the most-awaited French films of the year, Asterix at the Olympic Games.

And though her presence in it is still being kept under wraps, there's buzz that the filmmakers had written a special role for the Indian actress in the film, which does not have any main female characters.

The film, whose release was slated to coincide with the Beijing Olympics of 2008, stars the veteran French actor Gerard Depardieu, who's reprised his role as Obelix, and Clovis Cornillac is playing Asterix's role.

Interestingly, Aishwarya is the only Asian face in the star-studded line-up that includes international celebrities like:

# Formula One champ Michael Schumacher

# Soccer star Zinedine Zidane

# Hollywood action hero, Jean Claude Van Damme (he's playing the role of the muscular and smug Gluteus Maximus, who represents Rome at the Games)

Touted to be one of the most expensive European films at approximately $93 million, the film is all set to have its world premiere in Mumbai in the high profile French Film Festival, later this month.

"Asterix at the Olympic Games is one of the biggest French releases of the year and has a stellar star cast. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is an international celebrity right in the top league. She has been a major celebrity at Cannes as well.

And it's a great coincidence that the world premiere of this film will happen in Mumbai, as it would open the French Film Festival here," said Mohamed Bendjebbour, the audio-visual attache, Head of the French Film and TV office, French Embassy in India, which is organising the festival.

The film has been shot largely in Tunisia and Morocco, the location for the previous film, Asterix and Obelix: Mission Cleopatra.

Incidentally, Ash had also shot for her Hollywood movie, The Last Legion, in Tunisia.

Official Site

Snapshots: Aishwarya Rai Bachchan on Filmfare cover

Snapshots: Hrithik Roshan-Aishwarya Rai at Jodhaa Akbar's music launch, Mumbai

Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan attend the music release function of their new film, Jodhaa Akbar, in Mumbai.

Jodhaa Akbar captures the 16th century romance between Mughal emperor, Jalaluddin Akbar and fiery princess Jodhaa, which helped the Mughal dynasty strengthen relations with Rajputs, an Indian clan known for their valour.

One of the biggest productions from Bollywood in 2008, the film is scheduled to release on Feb 15.

Aishwarya to portray Enron's Rebecca Mark in Sarkar Raj

If sources are to be believed, Aishwarya Rai's role in RGV's forthcoming film Sarkar Raj is based on the character of Enron's Rebecca Mark!

Aishwarya plays a contemporary business woman in the film and her character is quite similar to Rebecca Mark, Head of the International division of Enron.

The woman is not only remembered for her business acumen, but her looks as well. And Ash's role will be on similar lines.

Stay tuned in!

Aishwarya recommends marriage to everyone

It seems newly married Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is enjoying herself completely, as the Bollywood actor strongly recommends the institution of marriage to everyone.

"Marriage is a beautiful chapter in life. It is so blissful and wonderful... it is difficult to articulate. I strongly recommend it to everyone. Each one of us must experience it," she said.

The actress, who won the Miss World title in 1994 and started her stint in the Hindi film industry with Aur Pyaar Ho Gaya, was in Delhi to unveil the bridal collection of Longines watch brand.

She got married to Bollywood star Abhishek Bachchan on April 20, 2007.

Commenting on the response of people after her marriage she said, "Wherever we have travelled, people have showered us with their blessing. I am bowled over by their response and very strongly feel that we are a part of an extended family."

However, Aishwarya said she hasn't spent much time with her family.

"Our honeymoon was our first holiday, and after that we were straight back to work. I wish I could have taken more time off. I would love to spend every minute of the day with Abhishek."

Being a working woman, the actress agrees that marriage brings a lot of responsibilities and one has to juggle up too many things.

"I am enjoying every aspect of being married. But frankly speaking, being a working woman, it is more hectic now. There is a constant race against time. I could never imagine that my hours and days would be so full.

Although I have found the key to it - time management. It is imperative for every working individual to discover the ability of time management. You have to take time out for your maternal family, in-laws and for your own (husband-wife) relationship at the same time."

After her lead roles in hits like Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, Devdas, Dhoom 2 and Guru, she is now all set to woo audiences in Sarkar Raj, Pink Panther 2 and Jodhaa Akbar.

Abhi-Ash spend a day with HIV affected kids

Star couple Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan has recently been making a lot of public appearances together, be it at award functions, wedding of close friends or just a day out.

Yesterday evening however, the couple took time out of their busy schedules for a special cause and decided to interact with HIV/AIDS affected children at an association called Ashray.

Abhishek apparently has been a part of the Ashray Association since 2001 when he was first introduced to the organization by well-known fashion designer duo, Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla. This was however, the first time that Aishwarya too came along with him.

With World Aids Day just around the corner (Dec 1), this star couple surely added a lot of color and hope to the lives of these little ones suffering from HIV/AIDS.

Bachchans offers prayers at Dwarkadheesh temple

Bollywood mega superstar Amitabh Bachchan alongwith his family on Tuesday visited Dwarkadheesh temple and offered prayers, temple authorities said.

Bachchan, alongwith his wife Jaya Bachchan, son Abhishek Bachchan and daughter-in-law Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, visited the temple and performed puja there, sources said in Rajkot.

The Bachchan family came to Mithapur by two chartered planes and went to Dwarka by road.

Abhi-Ash visit Ameen Peer Dargah, Andhra Pradesh

Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai offered prayers at the Ameen Peer Dargah in a town called Kadapa, about 400 kms from Hyderabad, in Andhra Pradesh.

They were accompanied by Jaya Bachchan and family friend and Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh, who also visited and prayed at the Ameen Peer Dargah - also known as Pedda Dargah.

Abhi-Ash offered a chadar and conducted special prayers at the dargah, which is believed to have been established by a spiritual leader belonging to the clan of Prophet Muhammad.

Happy Birthday Aishwarya!

The gorgeous Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is celebrating her 34th birthday at the Taj Mahal in Agra.

No place could be as perfect as Taj Mahal to celebrate her first birthday after marriage at 17th century monument of love.

Ash and hubby Abhishek Bachchan are in Agra to shoot an ad film.

While Ash and Abhishek had arrived in the city of Taj Mahal three days back for shooting of a commercial film, mega superstar Amitabh Bachchan and his wife Jaya Bachchan joined them later.

Ash is also doing the Taj Mahal film with Ben Kingsley.

"It sounds so dramatic and romantic," said a giggly Ash. " I'm bringing it in with Abhishek, Ma and Pa. Abhishek was shooting an ad in Agra on Wednesday. So I joined him with Ma (mom-in-law Jaya) and now Pa (father-in-law Amitabh) has also joined us. So you could say it's a perfect birthday by the Taj Mahal."

Ash added, "This is my first birthday after marriage and therefore a very special occasion. Spending time with the people I love is my greatest joy. I'm in a very happy place. And I don't mean Agra. Just being with three people who mean so much to me makes my life complete.

God has been kind. There's great fulfillment in love and in being loved, by not just my husband but his parents who are now my parents. We're one family and we all love one another."

Bollywood Buzz wishes Aishwarya a very Happy Birthday :o)

Aishwarya@Beyonce Knowles concert, Mumbai

Former Miss World and now one of the top Bollywood actresses, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan was present at the MMRDA ground, Mumbai on late Saturday night when popstar Beyonce Knowles crooned songs and shook her body, leading the delirious fans on a joyous frenzy.

Aishwarya came to the concert with her sister-in-law Shweta Nanda.

The Bollywood actress, who recently returned home after shooting for a Hollywood project Pink Panther 2, appeared mesmerised by Beyonce's magic.

Performing for the first time in India, Unites States' R&B star Beyonce Knowles rocked the city with her silver figure-hugging dress and her charming moves. Thousands of fans filled the concert venue, which was a part of the Beyonce Experience 2007 World Tour.

The bootylicious popstar had the audience grooving to her hugely popular hip-hop tunes like Crazy In Love and Beautiful Liar.

Aishwarya Pics Source