I am not the only one praising Abhishek

Aishwarya Rai has a hectic work schedule. From South America to South India, her film shoots are taking her everywhere. In between, she has been zipping in and out of Mumbai. During one such recent visit, masala.com caught up with her to find out about all that she’s up to.

But to begin with, Ash wanted to talk about the fantastic job husband Abhishek Bachchan has done in his latest film “Dostana”.

His performance was wonderful, and a very brave one too because he is a mainstream Bollywood hero, she says.

"Abhi played the role with so much confidence and belief though he knew that he was clearly working in an entertainer. It was not a film about gays, but a film made in jest. Thankfully I am not the only one saying that Abhishek was good in the movie. All the reviewers and other viewers across the board too have said so and appreciated Abhishek as well as the film. Else I would have had to face the accusation that I have been biased because Abhishek is my husband and I am promoting him and the film," says Ash.

The actress is very happy that her husband managed all the accolades because he has been having a bad patch of late with his last film, “Drona”, falling flat.

"I am really happy that the film [Dostana] is doing well and not just for Abhishek but the whole team," says Ash.

But this was the very Ash who had refused the role done by Priyanka Chopra in the film because she had to wear a bikini in the movie and secondly because Abhishek was pretending to be gay in the film.

"Our marriage took place after I had said yes to doing the film and after marriage I realised that I would be out of place in the film because we were now man and wife," she says.

Ash agrees that Priyanka's role was good but there was not much of a love story. "I don't think that the film had any more scope for romance. It was a good entertainer. I knew that before I went to watch the film. I knew what Priyanka's role was because it was narrated to me before and I thought that it was scripted well, she says.

Aishwarya is now awaiting her films such as “Raavan” with Abhishek and “Endhiram” with Rajnikanth to release so she can grab some accolades as well. "It's great fun working with Abhishek and Mani Sir in ‘Raavan’ as well as Rajni Sir in ‘Endhiram’. I am having the time of my life," she says.

Time reminds one of the luxury watch brand Longines that she has been promoting for nine years. In fact, in the middle of her hectic schedule, recently she even managed to fly down to Mumbai for a day to launch a new range of Longines watches.

"I think it is about knowing how to manage your time. I understand that certain times you may be at a location where you can't help, but I am now going to Manali to shoot ‘Endhiram’ and I could make time," she says, adding that she could also manage to with her father Krishnaraj Rai on his 70th birthday.

That brings us to the topic of “Pink Panther”, her much-hyped Hollywood film for which she has not been seen in the promos or even the poster. Signs of becoming another Mallika Sherawat, who had a nine-minute role in Jackie Chan's film “Myth”?

"’Pink Panther’ is not some TV serial. It is a film and we do films because we want to be a part of movies. I am a professional. So I do not think about how much time I am going to be seen for in the promos and where my placement is on the posters of the movie," says the actress getting defensive.

Don't worry Ash, we are looking forward to some great work from you now. We await release of “Pink Panther” to see if you strike a purple patch or go red.