New Delhi, Feb 1 - The Taj Mahal, actress Aishwarya Rai and Alexander the Great bind famous Italian archaeologist-historian, television presenter and novelist Valerio Massimo Manfredi to India - a country whose heritage he finds iconic.

Manfredi is the author of "The Last Legion", a 2007 Hollywood production starring Colin Firth, Aishwarya and Ben Kingsley.

New Delhi, July 12 : Filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar, who went into "shock and depression" after his ambitious project "Heroine" was indefinitely postponed following the announcement of lead actress Aishwarya Rai's pregnancy, has slammed reports that he has approached a new actress for the role.

"Speculations in the media of me approaching actresses for my film HEROINE are totally baseless!!!," Bhandarkar posted on micro-blogging site Twitter.

Ahmedabad, July 8 : Megastar Amitabh Bachchan has for the first time spoken out about the controversy that arose after the shooting of Madhur Bhandarkar's "Heroine" was halted following the news of Aishwarya Rai's pregnancy. The actor says that the issues have been sorted out.

"It is the matter between Aishwarya and the producers of the film. I can't comment on it. They have sorted out the issues between them," Amitabh told reporters here Friday. He was here to promote his film "Bbuddah... Hoga Teraa Baap".

Mumbai, July 7 : The stalling of Madhur Bhandarkar's "Heroine" after it became known that lead actress Aishwarya Rai was expecting has stoked a debate on introducing a pregnancy clause in film contracts. Some feel it should be there, while others like Sushmita Sen and Ram Gopal Varma oppose it.

Aishwarya's pregnancy came as a big blow to Bhandarkar's ambitious project and he said he was "shocked" and "depressed" after the film was put on the backburner.

New Delhi, June 28 : The news of Aishwarya Rai's pregnancy cast doubts over the completion of Madhur Bhandarkar's "Heroine", in which she was playing the lead role. Putting an end to all speculations, the film's producer UTV has now clarified that shooting has been delayed till further notice.

"We 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," said an official statement from the production house.

Mumbai, June 25 : UTV, the producer of Madhur Bhandarkar's next "Heroine", seems to be completely flummoxed by the news of their lead actress Aishwarya Rai's pregnancy and they are yet to decide how to go about with the film.

Recent media reports said there have been rounds of meetings in the last couple of days between Aishwarya, Madhur and UTV chief executive officer Ronnie Screwvala on whether to defer the film or shelve it.

New Delhi, June 25 : An excited grandfather-to-be Amitabh Bachchan announced his daughter-in-law Aishwarya's pregnancy on Twitter and came under flak for it. But the megastar has justified the move.

"I burn with the desire of my love and affection of my EF (extended family). They are my little world that feeds and expresses and holds me, embraces me with the warmth and care as that of a mother with her new born," Big B posted on his blog Bigb. bigadda. com.

New Delhi, June 25 : For would-be mommy Aishwarya Rai, it was a fairy tale jouney into the world of glamour after winning the Miss World title in 1994. And now the internationally acclaimed actress is all set to enjoy motherhood.

Ash first became a rage when she teamed up with Aamir Khan and Mahima Chaudhary in a coke ad in 1993. As soon as it hit the screens, Ash became a star and the next year she partcipated in the Miss India contest and won the first runner-up title.

Mumbai, June 24 : She has carried the Dream Girl tag for decades but now Hema Malini is ready to part with it and says she won't mind transferring it to Aishwarya Rai.

"Today, all the heroines are above the Dream Girl tag. Each girl is so beautiful. They have made their name in such a big way, specially Aishwarya. I think I will give this tag to her. But not for free. She would have to buy it from me," joked the
62-year-old actress.

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.(IANS)

Mumbai, May 15 : Madhur Bhandarkar's "Heroine", which goes on floor June 10, is no longer the film it was supposed to be when Kareena Kapoor was doing the project. The entire script has been re-written to suit Aishwarya Rai.

Speaking from Cannes after the announcement of "Heroine", Madhur said: "First of all it is not about Marilyn Monroe or Elizabeth Taylor or any other Hollywood or Bollywood actress any more. It is the story of one actress' internalised journey into stardom, the people that she meets, the experiences that she gathers.

Cannes, May 13 : Aishwarya Rai together with acclaimed filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar launched the first look of their upcoming bold and glamourous movie "Heroine", which delves into the behind the scenes life of an actress in the Indian film industry, at the 64th Cannes International Film Festival."'Heroine' is a film that the team was very excited about and yes I have just agreed to come on board," said Aishwarya who will essay a superstar in it.

Mumbai, May 3 : You could say Abhishek Bachchan is acting funny with wife Aishwarya - that's because the couple are starring in their first comedy together called "Ladies And Gentlemen".

"I was very keen to do a comedy after a spate of more serious films and also Aishwarya and I haven't done a comedy together, so I'm excited about this film," Abhishek told IANS in an e-mail interview from Murmansk, Russia.

To be produced and directed by Rajkumar Santoshi, the film is slated for a 2012 release and is set to go on the floors in the first week of July this year.

New Delhi, April 22 : Three Indian actresses - Aishwarya Rai, Sonam Kapoor and Freida Pinto - will walk the red carpet at Cannes this year on different ocassions. Ash, a regular at the prestigious gala for last 10 years, feels with "both beautiful women" India will have a "stronger presence".

New Delhi, April 11 : Work will keep Bollywood's star couple Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai busy on their fourth wedding anniversary April 20.

Abhishek says he will be busy promoting "Dum Maaro Dum", releasing April 22, after which he will be off for a shooting schedule.

Mumbai, April 3 - Bollywood's super couple Abhishek Bachchan and
Aishwarya Rai are ecstatic at India's victory against Sri Lanka in the
World Cup final here Saturday. While Aishwarya says she screamed when
India won, Abhishek reveled on the streets to celebrate the win.

"Delirious with joy! Screamed myself hoarse…Love India and love the
Indian team. Full power and god bless…and Much love to Sachin…so so
sooooo happy. Team India is the besssstttt," Aishwarya said in a SMS
released by her publicist.

Mumbai, April 3 : Overwhelmed after India won the World Cup after 28 years, actress Aishwarya Rai is proud of Team India and Sachin Tendulkar.

"Delirious with joy…screamed hoarse…Love India and Love India Team…Full power and God Bless…and much love to Sachin…So So Happy…Team India is the BESSSTT," Aishwarya said in SMS released by her publicist.

India defeated Sri Lanka by six wickets in the World Cup final at the Wankhede Stadium here to lift the World Cup for the second time since 1983.(IANS)

Mumbai, March 26 - The 12th edition of the three day FICCI-Frames conclave concluded Friday with Hollywood actor Hugh Jackman and Bollywood star Aishwarya Rai bagging the top awards.

Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan has always maintained a respectable relationship with megastar Amitabh Bachchan but the same cannot be said with ‘Bachchan bahu’ Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. The face-off started when Ash abandoned Aamir Khan’s project Mangal Pandey at the last minute. At that time, Aamir called up his good friend Rani Mukerji, who finally appeared in the film.

However, they finally patched up after so many years and that happened at the 10th wedding anniversary of Akshay Kumar and his wife Twinkle. Ash and Aamir had a cold war, since these years but now they have settled the issues.

New Delhi, Dec 22 - Glamorous looks and designer outfits have been synonymous with Bollywood, but 2010 saw a lot of mainstream stars going de-glam. From Bipasha Basu and Aishwarya Rai to John Abraham and Akshay Kumar, few shied away from experimenting with their on-screen appearance.

"Actors are not shying away from experimenting and they are willing to shed those extra kilos of jewellery, designer outfits and make-up to get into character," trade analyst Taran Adarsh told IANS.