Rakhi Sawant prays for Aishwarya

Item girl Rakhi Sawant is elated to hear that Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is expecting and she said that she is praying this to Lord Jesus for the last eight months.

Rakhi Sawant said, "Aishwarya has everything in life - success, fame and money. I'm sure she wanted to experience motherhood. I love the Bachchan family and my best wishes are with them." Is she also thinking to settle down? "Not at all. I still have a few more years left to work before I settle down in life and take a sabbatical. Mujhe pata hai heroines ki kya right age hai shaadi karne ke liye. Of what we have seen so far, 34-35 is perfect for anyone to get married. Fortunately, I still have about five more years to invest in the industry," she says. "Swayamvar ke baad se toh vishwas shaadi se uth gaya. Har kisi ki kismat Aishwarya Rai, Shilpa Shetty jaisi nahin hoti. They are lucky to have found the right life partner. It is scary to get married to a person who wants to use you for personal gains”.

Very soon we will get to see Rakhi Sawant in ‘Ratan Ki Swayambar’. She tells us that the viewers will be shocked to see her in a new avatar. "Main show mein shock value ke liye hoon. Main sab ladkon ki taang kheechne waali hoon. Kaun kitne paani mai hai sab pata chal jayega."

Preity Zinta wishes best friend Aishwarya

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is a dear friend of Preity Zinta and the bubbly actress wishes her all the very best. Preity is happy to hear that Ash is pregnant and is expecting to meet her very soon.

Talking about their friendship, she had earlier said, “Ash is someone I can call a friend. We have kept in touch and shared our ups and downs through the years. We have always been there for each other through our tough times. I know that I can call her up anytime.”

Preity is currently out of the country and she will catch up with Ash as soon as she arrives in India. She has conveyed her wishes to the family personally too. “Aishwarya is a dear friend of mine. I wish her all the very best,” she says.

Preity has been a close friend of Aishwarya and Abhishek over the years and once she comes to India, she will plan a dinner with the duo.

At the same time, Preity is upset with the report of replacing Ash in Rajkumar Santoshi’s comic caper ‘Ladies & Gentleman’.

She said, “I am very disturbed with these false reports. I really fail to understand why no one checks with me on its authenticity. (Filmmaker) Rajkumarji (Santoshi) is a close friend, so are the Bachchans”.

Heroine script to be modified for pregnant Aishwarya Rai?

Close on the heels of the announcement that Bollywood actress Aishwarya Rai is pregnant, director Madhur Bhandarkar is now allegedly preparing to tone down the script of his upcoming movie ‘Heroine’. Ash has already started shooting as the main lead in the movie, and as her due date is somewhere in November 2011, the movie needs to be wrapped up soon.

While the ‘Raavan’ actress is determined to complete the project despite her pregnancy, the director is worried about the health of the actress. Some of the sources from the production unit have said that the movie involves a lot of emotional scenes and intense moments which could be harmful to Ash.

The director has opined that the heavy emotions and intense moments might affect the health of the actress in such a situation. Bhandarkar is now trying to make changes in the script of the movie in order to tone down the scenes bit.

Moreover, Ash is also supposed to do many intimate scenes, which the actress will not be refraining from. Earlier, the project was offered to Kareena Kapoor who had chickened out due to the intimate and intense scenes in the movie. The unit is now trying their best to finish the shooting of the movie before Aishwarya’s pregnancy becomes visible. The makers are just trying their best that the complexities and the dark drama of the movie does not affect Ash’s health.

Aishwarya's health most important: UTV

It seems like Madhur Bhandarkar’s ambitious project ‘Heroine’ is not going to see the light of the day anytime soon. After much speculation about Madhur wanting to go ahead with the project despite Ash’s pregnancy, UTV has issued an official statement.

In an official statement, the production house has decided to end the rumours and have said, “UTV would like to put an end to the speculative and factually incorrect stories that are doing the rounds on ‘Heroine’, and to clarify the position on the film once and for all. At this point nothing is more important than Aishwarya's well being and good health. In that context, we have all mutually agreed that the best step would be to avoid shooting further, rather than proceeding with an incredibly demanding schedule over the coming months. Even as we will truly miss this opportunity to work with Aishwarya, the entire unit wishes her the very best for the exciting time ahead, as she and Abhishek move into this special new phase in their lives

The makers have decided to put the film on the hold for a while. Soon after they heard about their leading lady’s pregnancy, director Madhur Bhandarkar and the producers Ronnie Srewvala and Siddharth Roy Kapoor met up and decided on their next course of action. The film that had gone on floors barely a fortnight back, was initially supposed to be completed within 60 days

Heroine postponed, Priyanka Chopra not to replace Aishwarya Rai

The shooting of Madhur Bhandarkar's "Heroine" has been put off because of Aishwarya Rai's pregnancy, but Priyanka Chopra has denied that she wants to replace Ash.

Aishwarya, 37, plays the lead role in "Heroine".

"At this point, nothing is more important than Aishwarya's well being and good health," producers UTV said.

"We have all agreed that the best step would be to avoid shooting further, rather than proceeding with an incredibly demanding schedule over the coming months," it said.

 
Meanwhile, Priyanka has rubbished reports that she might replace Aishwarya in "Heroine".

"Read some stupid article about how i wanna do Madhur Bhandarkar's film HEROINE... I think Madhur is an amazing director and. It'll be amazing to work together again but GUYS this one aint it!!! I wish him and Aishwarya lots of luck with the film," the Bollywood star posted on Twitter.

"I also wish that journos would actually do some journalism rather than scriptwriting and stop deciding my next moves!!!" she added.

The project, also starring Arjun Rampal, was announced during the Cannes Film Festival this year.

Ash: Past, present and future

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is pregnant. And at the time when IIFA is on top of the mind, Sr Bachchan’s ‘Bbuddah Hoga Terra Baap’ is all set to release and Aishwarya’s film ‘Heroine’ is on the floors, frenetic activity all over and the announcement by a proud grandfather – dadaji to be has started creating a frenzy of speculations and stories about the pregnancy, the timing of the film among others.

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is pregnant. And at the time when IIFA is on top of the mind, Sr Bachchan’s ‘Bbuddah Hoga Terra Baap’ is all set to release and Aishwarya’s film ‘Heroine’ is on the floors, frenetic activity all over and the announcement by a proud grandfather – dadaji to be has started creating a frenzy of speculations and stories about the pregnancy, the timing of the film among others.

After Bachchan tweeted about Ash’s pregnancy, he got over 2843 new tweets in half an hour congratulating him. But then the Twitter world was also abuzz with some accusations – One whether he had timed the announcement to scuttle the IIFA awards of which he was the Brand Ambassador earlier. Or whether he had done the announcement to publicise his low profile film ‘Bbuddah Hoga Terra Baap’.

But whatever the accusations may be, Amitabh is surely a prod Dada now.This ensures that they have the third generations Bachchans by birth. As Amitabh tweets and we retweet, “Amitabh and Ajitabh, first generation Bachchan... then Abhishek and Bhim and now Abhishek’s and Aishwarya's…”

Ash’s pregnancy has thrown up many interesting angles.

1: What happens to Madhur Bhandarkar’s ‘Heroine’?

A: Madhur was made aware of her pregnancy before the shooting went on floors. Ash has been finishing her shots with ease and ensuring that she finishes her work before she puts on a lot of weight. Ash is still making public appearances and is looking plump as well. And that has also made Madhur wary of a lot of things. The kind of shots he has been taking are all his wide angle shots. Madhur has also used a second camera to do the close up shots so that he does not need to get the same location later as well.

2: What happens to other announcements like Rajkumar Santoshi’s ‘Ladies And Gentlemen’?

A: This film may well be shelved or postponed. Santoshi had been refused by many actors and his film ‘Power’ went powerless after Ajay Devgn pulled out of it. His Katrina Kaif starrer also had to be shelved because the actress was not giving him dates. That left him with this film starring Abhishek and Ash. But then this romantic comedy may well be shelved because of that.

3: What happens to Ashutosh Gowariker’s dream of uniting Ash and SRK?

A: Well, that does not seem possible for a few years now.

SRK feels excited to give parenting tips to Abhishek Bachchan

New Delhi, June 23 : Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, who is a proud father of two children, says he would love to give parenting tips to would-be-dad Abhishek Bachchan.

Shah Rukh said through his Twitter.com post: "papa (Abhishek) i am so excited for u...really happy. we need to get together soon and i will give u some tips on bringing up lil ones (sic).”

Not taking much time, Abhishek replied to SRK by writing: “looking forward to it shah! Thank you and take good care of your knees.”

The superstar's knee is acting smart. King Khan's arrival is being awaited at the 12th IIFA awards and he asures his presence at the ceremony, irrespective of the persistent problem in knee.

“In hospital getting my knee taped up. feeling awful not being fully fit for iifa...as is attending after so many years. sweet guys wizandre and team...will try and do my best. toronto, knee or not here I come,” he further posted.

Shah Rukh will be performing at IIFA after a gap of seven years.

Got 2,843 congratulatory tweets in half-an-hour: Big B

New Delhi, June 22 :Bollywood megastar AmitabhBachchan posted the news of daughter-in-law Aishwarya Rai's pregnancy on Twitter and within half-an-hour had received 2,843 congratulatory tweets from his fans, well-wishers and friends, including the Bollywood brigade.

"Overwhelmed with your wishes and blessings .. 2843 new tweets in half an hour! Thank you all ! Your affection and love is so touching," posted Big B on Twitter.

Aishwarya and Amitabh's son Abhishek got married in 2007 after the release of their film "Guru". 

On Tuesday night, Amitabh posted on Twitter: "NEWS NEWS NEWS !! I AM GOING TO BECOME A GRANDFATHER... AISHWARYA EXPECTING... SO HAPPY AND THRILLED,"

In no time, congratulatory messages poured in on the microblogging site and Priyanka Chopra was one of the first few who wished the Bachchans, tweeting: "Awesome news!! lets make way for the legacy to go forward."

R. Madhavan posted: "ohhh.. Sooooo Happy for you sir.. The legend continues..Love to the whole family."

Dia Mirza posted: "Congratulations!!! Wonderful wonderful news."

Koel Purie said: "Wow!! That is wonderful news. AB and Ash will hv beautiful children no doubt."

Sophie Chaudhary posted: "Wow!! Congrats soon to be dadaji! Thrilled 4 @juniorbachchan & Ash! Much love n happiness to u all!!."

Riteish Deshmukh posted: "Congratttttuuulationnnnnnssssssssssss- superrrrr superrrrrr happppppyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy."

Actor Rana Daggubati, who has worked with Abhishek, in "Dum Maaro Dum" wished him and posted: "@juniorbachchan is soon to be Daddy Bachchan. Congrats and lots of love."

Genelia D'souza too congratulated Abhishek, saying "congratulations ab, super, super happy 4 Aish n u, one things 4 sure, d kid vl b one hell of a good lookin kid congrats agn."

And the 68-year-old would be granpa made sure he thanked them all for wishing the family. 

"No words to express my gratitude to all those that wish us on the coming of a new born in the family .. I am humbled, honored, happy," wrote Big B.

Salman Khan congratulates Abhi-Ash on pregnancy

Mumbai, June 23 : Aishwarya Rai Bachchan's former boyfriend Salman Khan congratulated her and her hubby Abhishek Bachchan as they were expecting their first child.

"I would like to congratulate Mr. Bachchan that he is going to become a grandfather and also Abhishek and Aishwarya. I hope they make a whole football team," Salman told reporters here at an event to launch a Blackberry application.



In 1999, Aishwarya began dating Salman and their relationship was often reported in the media until the couple separated in 2001. Aishwarya married Abhishek April 20, 2007.

Aishwarya pregnant, says Big B

New Delhi, June 21 : Bollywood diva Aishwarya Rai is in the family way, says her father-in-law and Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan.

"NEWS NEWS NEWS !! I AM GOING TO BECOME A GRANDFATHER .. AISHWARYA EXPECTING .. SO HAPPY AND THRILLED, (sic)" Amitabh posted on his Twitter account.

Ever since Amitabh posted the message on the microblogging site, congratulatory messages have started pouring in.

Aishwarya, 37, and Abhishek, 35, were married in 2007 and as soon as they tied the knot, the rumours of Aishwarya getting pregnant have been making the news. And finally she is expecting.

"Yes, it is true," Ash's spokesperson told IANS, confirming the news.

Aishwarya met Salman in an event!

The industry is anxiously waiting to see if Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Salman Khan will come face to face today.

The occasion being the extravagant marriage of Mallika Reddy, daughter of socialites Pinky and Sanjay Reddy on June 10, the guest list of this high profile marriage includes not only Mukesh Ambani but also big luminaries from Bollywood including the Bachchans, Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan.

Ashwarya is most likely to fly down to Hyderabad. And Salman, who is very close to the Reddys’, also plans to visit Hyderabad for the marriage.

Ashwarya has, so far, cautiously avoided facing Salman to avoid unpleasant moments. Now, the two can unavoidably come face to face and the whole of B- town is waiting to see what the outcome will be.
Salman is also expected to bump into his rival Shah Rukh in the party.