Ben Kingsley’s wife might team up with Aishwarya Rai in Taj br/

Panaji, (BollywoodWorld.com) Actress Aishwarya Rai might be pitted against Ben Kingsley’s wife Daniela Lavender in his dream project “Taj”, a film about Mughal emperor Shah Jahan and his quest to build the Taj Mahal.

“Aishwarya Rai Bachchan will play Mumtaz in the movie, if she approves the script and loves it. Daniela would be playing Kandahari Begum, Shah Jahan’s first wife in the film,” Kingsley told reporters in Panaji Monday.

The actor, who is here as guest of honour for the 40th International Film Festival of India (IFFI), said he will play the emperor in the film.

But he feels that making “Taj” won’t be easy.

“I suppose it’s very foolish or very brave attempt to do a movie on Shah Jahan. If I can show him in a human way, if I can portray him as a man amongst us — I might be able to add to many explanations on how Taj was built,” Kingsley said.

He added that the script had arrived less than a week ago and that he would be scouting in India for funds for his $25 to $27 million project.

“During my few days in India, we have to raise funds. It’s not fully financed,” said Kingsley who drew accolades from the world over for his portrayal of Mahatma Gandhi in Richard Attenborough’s highly acclaimed film “Gandhi”.

source: bollywoodworld.com

Rising rumours can damage my relationship with Aishwarya Rai – Vipul Shah br/

New Delhi, (BollywoodWorld.com) Filmmaker Vipul Shah says he is worried about his friendship with Aishwarya Rai who is working in his film “Action Replay” as people are making “systematic attempts to destroy” their relationship.

“Aishwarya is a very respectable professional. It hurts to see how her sheer hard work is ridiculed to build one spicy story by the media. She has been a soft target. And the sort of rumours rising now can damage my relationship with her. She has been my friend for a long time and I am afraid I will have a fallout with her,” Shah told IANS over phone from Mumbai.

“There are certain people who are making systematic attempts to destroy my relationship with Aishwarya. There are gossip mongers who are spreading baseless rumours that she has refused to dub for ‘Action Replay’ after seeing the rushes. But none of this is true,” he added.

Shah gives three reasons to prove that all the rumours are baseless.

“Firstly, when the shooting of the film has not been completed, where’s the question of the rushes and dubbing? Secondly, I haven’t even seen the ‘edit’ of the film. After the shoot completes, it will take at least two and a half months to put it in order for a final cut; so there is no need for dubbing at the moment.

“And lastly, ‘Action Replay’ is in sync sound, so dubbing is totally out of the question. Besides, I have been busy for ‘London Dreams’; Aishwarya has been busy shooting ‘Ravana’ and ‘Guzaarish’. She has been travelling a lot so we didn’t even have time to take ‘Action Replay’ forward. What is the logic behind these rumours then?” he added.

This apart, there were also rumours that Aishwarya had repeatedly rejected one of music composer Pritam Chakraborty’s song for the film. But Shah denies it.

“It was I who had rejected Pritam’s song thrice, not Aishwarya. The song was for her entry in the film and I wanted to crack a big song. I never allow my actors to my music recording studio – then from where have these rumours come out from?” he asked in an agitated tone.

Shah, who made hits like “Singh Is Kinng” and “Namastey London”, is yet to shoot the last leg of the movie, which also features actor Akshay Kumar and Neha Dhupia.

“The last schedule of the film is still pending. We have planned to shoot it in December or January. Currently I am doing the recce for the locations,” he said.

source: bollywoodworld.com

Aishwarya made goodwill ambassador of Smile Train NGO on birthday br/

New Delhi, (BollywoodWorld.com) On her 36th birthday Sunday, Bollywood star Aishwarya Rai has been named the first goodwill ambassador for Smile Train, a charity that works worldwide for children with cleft lip.

The former Miss World has partnered with the NGO, in association with her own charity – Aishwarya Rai Foundation – and will spread awareness and garner resources to help the movement, said a press release.

“God has given me plenty of reasons to smile and I feel it’s time to spread it around. There are a lot of children out there who so desperately need help, but can’t receive timely care because their families cannot afford this surgery or are ill-educated about this condition.

“Working with Smile Train, if I can make a difference in their lives, it will certainly make me feel honoured and blessed,” Aishwarya said.

As the goodwill ambassador, Aishwarya will actively work to help Smile Train provide free cleft surgery to children in 76 developing countries around the world, including India.

According to information provided by the NGO, over one million children await cleft surgery in India alone, and currently only 50 percent children born with cleft in India get the medical assistance required. And Smile Train officials feel Aishwarya will be of immense help in taking forward their movement globally.

“Aishwarya’s universal appeal and star power will be a priceless asset to our organisation, and we consider it a great privilege to have her represent our organisation,” Smile Train president Brian Mullaney said.

“Her poise, intelligence and dedication to our mission will catapult the work that we do to new and exciting heights. Since she is a global superstar, it makes her the perfect representative for our global organisation. There is no corner of the world where she isn’t known, and in each of those corners, there is a Smile Train hospital that is helping kids every day of the year,” he added.

The rising concern for kids born with a cleft was raised worldwide through Smile Train’s recent Oscar-winning movie “Smile Pinki”. The 39-minute documentary made by Megan Mylan shows the story of a poor girl in rural India whose life is transformed when she receives free surgery to correct her cleft lip. It was made in Hindi and Bhojpuri and won the 81st Academy Award for Best Documentary (Short Subject).

source: bollywoodworld.com