Man of the moment
The story goes that director Sanjay Gupta and Abhishek Bachchan were talking one day when Gupta revealed he had bought the rights to a foreign film (allegedly the South Korean movie
Seven Days
). "Abhishek loved the story and wanted to know who I had in mind for the female lead. I told him: 'It would be great if Aishwarya could do it.' To my surprise, he asked for a copy of the film," said Gupta. A week later, Bachchan confirmed he had convinced his wife to sign up for the project.
A weighty matter
Aishwarya faced criticism for gaining weight during her pregnancy. However, promos for the film show the actress looking svelte, and the song
Kahaaniya
shows her character - lawyer and single mother Anuradha Verma - working out along the sea front in Mumbai. Aishwarya reportedly had to be on her feet all day, doing cardio and yoga, because the song had to be shot in one day.
Salman in the spotlight
Salman Khan was recently asked on the set of
Bigg Boss 9
whether Aishwarya, a former girlfriend, would appear on the show to promote
Jazbaa
(which means emotion). In classic Sallu style, he said: "Kya jazbaati sawaal poocha hai", which translates as: "What an emotional question you've asked me." He then proceeded to hum a song from a film the stars had done together in happier days and abruptly ended the press conference.
Maternal instinct
One of the reasons that Aishwarya agreed to star in
Jazbaa
was because she would not have to leave her daughter Aaradhya alone, as the entire film was shot in Mumbai, where she lives. Gupta says: "We were shooting all night once when, at 3am, her staff came running and said Aaradhya just vomited. That's when we realised that Aaradhya had been in the van on location all through the shoot. Aishwarya is a remarkable hands-on mother, father, doctor, nanny, and nurse, all rolled into one - and a thorough professional."
Casting coup
At the official launch of the trailer for the film, when Irrfan Khan was asked whether he felt overshadowed by Aishwarya, he was quick to respond: "The only reason I signed for
Jazbaa
was because Aishwarya was in it. I remember how nervous I was before our first shot together. I am so mesmerised by Aishwarya that I'm delighted to be sidelined by her."
Divine intervention
An astrologer in Delhi prepared a horoscope for Aishwarya and the film. He predicted: "On the day of
Jazbaa
's release, there will be a stellium of four planets in the Zodiac sign Leo, falling in the 12th House of Aish's Chart. Sun, Rahu and the exalted but retrograde Mercury will be transiting through her Ascendant House, and so we feel her comeback vehicle will prove to be good for her." Surprise, surprise.
pmunyal@thenational.ae
