Cool Bollywood

You thought Aishwarya Rai can only speak English with fluency; and may be a bit of Hindi. Well, the myth shattering news is that she can also speak Tamil, the popular South Indian language. And that, too, with the precision of a surgeon’s knife.

At Chennai, Ash took everyone by surprise. As she came knocking at the audio launch of Tamil film ‘Rettaichuzhi’ produced by Shankar, Who is, incidentally, the director of her next flick opposite South superstar Rajnikanth in “Endhiran: The Robot”. The audio cassettes n CDs of ‘Rettaichuzhi’ were released by Aishwarya and accepted by celebrated lyricist Vairamuthu, who had long ago titled her a “Taj Mahal weighing 50 kilograms” in one of his lyrics for the film “Jeans”. Next, to a stunned audience she wagged off her tongue in crisp Tamil for a few seconds before changing guards to English.

“It’s an honour for me to have been present at this place among legends like Balachander and Bharathiraaja and I feel proud about it. I also feel happy that a woman is treated so respectfully at a public function like this. I can never forget. The Tamil film industry and director Shankar in my life. Shankar’s “Jeans” was my first successful film. The many things I learnt during the making of the film gave me enough self-confidence that I could continue to act for a few more years.”

“I feel even more proud to be part of Shankar’s “Endhiran” opposite superstar Rajnikanth…I watched a few songs and some sequences from “Rettaichuzhi”… I think Karthick Raaja’s music and tunes are excellent. I would surely watch the film in future,” she signed off. So, the next time you greet her, do so in Tamil and expect a shower of welcomes with that perfect accent.

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is totally upset with the false rumor of her pregnancy. She is fed up of giving explanation that she is totally alright and is not suffering from stomach tuberculosis. The former Miss World says, “I am absolutely fine… rocking.”

Ash got an opportunity to speak her mind at an award function hosted by NDTV in the Capital on Wednesday. She won the Entertainment Icon at the event and in her thanking speech she said, “Please don’t pay heed to reports about my ill-health. This time, the media has really gone overboard with the whole thing. And I doubt if anyone even knows anything about the disease I am supposed to be suffering from!”

Clarifying about her health issue, Ash said, “Abhishek had to clarify for me. Do people even know the difference between stomach and womb to be saying this?”

Ash was present with her in-laws Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bachchan but Abhishek Bachchan was absent during the event, she said, “Abhi didn’t want to miss the function. Our family tries to spend as much time as possible together. But he’s busy working double shift.”

The much wait of south fans is over when they will get to see their diva Aishwarya Rai on screen with the icon of south film industry Rajnikant. It is heard that our Bollywood siren Aishwarya Rai has teamed up with icon Rajinikanth in Tamil film ‘Endhiran’, which is expected to set fire on screen between the month of July and August.

Interesting part is that Ash’s south flick “Endhiran” is stated to be the one the costliest films made in India around a lavish budget of over Rs.125 crore as disclosed by the icon Rajinikanth after his visit to the Chief Minister K. Karunanidhi on Thursday.

As south filmmakers are not only known as strictly professional but also as fast forward in completing their project, it is heard that ‘Endhiran’ is partially ninety percent over with its direction according to the director Shankar.

To add charm to the movie the film’s music is directed under the renowned Grammy award winner A.R. Rahman. For the first time Aishwariya will be appearing in a movie which is heard to be based on a science fiction story.

As Bollywood’s most films are inspired from south movies so does its actors feels inspired to act in Tollywood industry like Ash and many others.

The lukewarm response to her recent Hollywood release Pink Panther-II has had Aishwarya Rai Bachchan (35) conceding her position as the most popular face of Bollywood.

In the West to the new international craze 24-year-old Freida Pinto (Slumdog Millionaire), who according to reliable sources has been signed for two films — one with Woody Allen and the second with Julian Schnabel.

Freida, who is said to have earned over two million pounds, overtaking Bollywood beauties like Aishwarya Rai, Kareena Kapoor and Katrina Kaif is also, according to a world film distributor, being wooed to walk the red carpet at Cannes in May 2009.

On the Bollywood front, Kareena Kapoor (28) has nudged Aishwarya Rai Bachchan out of the Filmfare Top-10 Power list.

But a producer from Chennai confirms that Ash is still the highest paid Indian heroine and has reportedly been paid a fee of Rs six crore for Shankar’s “Robot“, where she is cast opposite Rajnikant.

The actor is said to have received a cheque of Rs one crore as signing amount, that is also a first. Usually it is only the leading men who receive such a big sum as a signing amount. Reportedly, Rajnikant himself is said to come with a price tag of Rs 25 crore for the same film. He will also get a share in the profits since “Robot” will be released in Hindi and Tamil.

Also, Aishwarya has signed some more films recently with likes of Vipul Shah’s “Action Replay” wherein cast includes Akshay Kumar and Randhir Kapoor and another movie named “Ravana” wherein Aishwarya acts as Sita along with hubby Abhishek Bachchan. We’re sure, it’s just a phase and Aishwarya will soar back to top ranking with these movies.