Vivek Oberoi doesn’t believe in moving on or so it seems. The actor, who has been trying for long to mend fences with the Bachchans has now gone a step ahead to break the ice as he personally went to invite Abhishek Bachchan and his wife Aishwarya for his wedding on Oct 29.

And even though his helpless pleas for forgiveness have often been met with a cold shrug by the unforgiving Jr Bachchan, Vivek is leaving no stones unturned to change that equation.

As per reports, Oberoi went across to Mehboob Studios in Bandra to invite his ex Aishwarya Rai’s husband, Abhishek Bachchan, for his wedding on October 29.

And Vivek took director Apoorva Lakhia’s help to call Abhishek. Sources state that Vivek called up Apoorva to help him invite Bachchan Jr. It’s a known fact that the Oberois and the Bachchans have always shared bad vibes, owing to Aishwarya Rai. And even though Vivek has been trying to make peace the Bachchans for long, he has been unsuccessful in his efforts.

When contacted by a news daily, Lakhia said, “I didn’t take Vivek to Mehboob Studios. I had gone to meet Abhishek, who was shooting there for Rohan Sippy’s film Dum Maro Dum. I made Abhishek and Vivek talk on the phone, which is when Vivek invited Abhishek for his wedding.”

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From Shilpa Shetty to Katrina Kaif, Akshay Kumar has worked with most of the leading ladies in Bollywood but the star finds it odd that filmmakers never thought of pairing him with Aishwarya Rai.

The duo are coming together for a full-fledged romantic film for the first time with Vipul Shah’s ’Action Replayy’ that comes after their brief track in ’Khakee’.

"Our on-screen relationship in ’Khakee’ was quite unconventional and actually came with a chilling twist. Still, people had really liked us in ’Khakee’ and it is rather odd that Aish and I did not work together after that," Akshay told PTI.

Talking about his co-star in the movie, Akshay says that unlike her diva image, Aishwarya was fun to work with.

"Ash is simply fabulous and one of the reasons that we shared incredible compatibility as actors and people is because she brings in the same focus, energy and discipline to her work as I do," Akshay said.

They will play a bickering couple onscreen in the movie but Aishwarya was devoid of starry tantrums on the sets of the movie, which is slated to release this Diwali.

"Aishwarya is not a diva. She does not throw tantrums. She does not come with any baggage whatsoever and is an extremely easy person to work with. It’s refreshing to work with someone with whom I have not worked with for a while."

After a string of movies with Katrina Kaif, Akshay was seen opposite Deepika Padukone (Housefull), Trisha Krishnan (Khatta Meetha), Aishwarya Rai ( Action Replayy), Anuoshka Sharma (Patiala House) and Sonam Kapoor (Thank You).

Does not he believe that his pairing with Katrina has been over exposed?
"When I do a movie with Katrina, people say ’What? You are working with her again?’. On the other hand when I don’t do a movie with her for some time, people say, ’Oh, why didn’t you take Kat, you’re the best onscreen couple’."

While Akshay looks for the release of ’Tees Maar Khan’ in 2011, the wait continues for the leading lady of ’Joker’. As things stand today, it won’t be Katrina as the toss up is between Deepika Padukone and Sonakshi Sinha.

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The race between two first rank Bollywood actresses, Kareena Kapoor and Aishwarya Rai, for the number one spot is on, according to a Pakistani paper Saturday.

"Kareena Kapoor’s film ’Golmaal 3’ and Aishwarya’s ’Action Replayy’ will be released simultaneously due to which an intense competition has begun between both the beauties," a report in the Urdu daily Jang said.

While Kareena stars opposite Ajay Devgn in "Golmal 3", Aishwarya has been cast opposite Akshay Kumar in "Action Replayy".

"Now it remains to be seen which of these two films wins over the audience’s heart and does more business in the first week after its release," the report said.

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Beauty queen-turned-actress Aishwarya Rai has denied being the brand ambassador for French dairy brand Danone - as has been reported in the media.

Danone has a joint venture (JV) with Yakult in India, for which Kajol is the brand ambassador. Rumours were rife that besides the JV, Danone was also planning to go independent and Aishwarya was roped in as the face for it. The actress' publicist has denied the reports.

"Media reportage on Aishwarya Rai Bachchan signed on as the brand ambassador for Danone products is entirely untrue. This kind of vicarious publicity shows unprofessionalism on part of the brand and their agency," said a statement from her publicist.

"We would again like to reiterate that there is no truth to these rumours and would request the media in future to cross-check facts with us before reporting such false and untrue stories," it further read.

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The news is indeed of titanic proportions. Sometime soon Aishwarya Rai Bachchan will be seen rubbing shoulders with actress Kate Winslet.

Aishwarya will be working with the British actress on a commercial, to be shot in Italy. This is for a brand Ash endorses.

In the past, Aishwarya has worked with Hollywood actors such as Jean Reno, Steve Martin and Emily Mortimer. But clearly, this one is a special feather in her cap.

A source close to Ash reveals, “Aishwarya is very excited to meet Kate and moreover shoot with her for the ad. Ash is headed to Italy sometime next week.

The ad will be shot over two days.” Aishwarya has met Kate in the past but very briefly and finds her very pretty. She has also watched a lot of Kate’s films. Shooting with her is thus something Ash is eagerly waiting for.

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A dialogue mentioning Aishwarya Rai in the promos of upcoming film ’Lamhaa’ has caught the attention of many. But producer Bunty Walia and director Rahul Dholakia clarify that it does not mock her.

Veteran actor Anupam Kher, who plays a Kashmiri separatist leader in the film, says in one scene: "When Aishwarya Rai is unable to see the moon, it makes news. But why doesn’t the media report the plight of those thousands of Kashmiri wives who haven’t seen their husbands for years?"

This dialogue has raised eyebrows. But Dholakia says: "The dialogue in the film by the separatist leaders uses Mrs. Rai Bachchan as a metaphor to the Bollywood centric media who prefer covering the personal lives of icons instead of covering the real life poignant stories of Kashmiri half-widows. The comment is not a slur or an attack on the actress in anyway," Dholakia said.

"The purpose of the scene was never intended to mock Aishwarya Rai. We would never do anything to hurt anyone’s sentiments," said Bunty Walia.

Produced by GS Entertainment and distributed by PVR Pictures, ’Lamhaa’ is set in Kashmir and stars Sanjay Dutt, Bipasha Basu, Kunal Kapoor and Anupam Kher. The movie, releasing on July 16, deals with the life of Kashmiris in the valley.(IANS)

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 Talking of Raavan, how can the conversation be complete without any mention of Sita, remarks Rapchik Rajni as she saunters into my boudoir. Matlab? Meaning, she says that she has some scooplet on Aishwarya Rai Bachchan.

And the point is that the actress hasn't yet been finalised for Sir Ben Kinsley's magnum opus on Taj Mahal.

Never mind if Akbar Khan has tried and failed with his hocus-focus, Kinsley sir will be playing Shah Jahan in his costume extravaganza and was reportedly keen on Ashji to play Mumtaz Mahal.

Rajni claims to have got it from Ben saab himself that he's only confirmed the casting for Zardari Begum so far, but isn't telling yet.

So whether Ashji will play his Mumtaz Mahal or not is something we're all waiting to watch.

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Aishwarya Rai seems to have gone into depression especially after the disastrous response to her film Raavan. Aishwarya who acted in both — the Hindi and Tamil versions of the Mani Ratnam film — seems to have taken the failure of Raavan very badly and is reportedly depressed after the initial negative response of the film came in.Our source said, “Aishwarya Rai was extremely excited working on the film.

However, after the initial response of the film came in, Ash has been very depressed. While there have been constant comments and exchange of words between Amitabh Bachchan and the media, the fact is that the film has failed.

After the film, she has not made any public appearance and her PR machinery has been asked to remain silent regarding her whereabouts.”Let’s hope Ash takes the failure in the right sprit as hits and flops are part of an actor’s life.

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The fashionable couple, Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan may not have been successful in winning the audience's heart with their latest movie, but when it comes to style, the two always manage to make a statement.

And finally, this 'it' couple of Bollywood will be seen on the cover of the July issue of Vogue.Needles to say that they are looking a million bucks!

As is seen on the cover, Abhi has donned jackets teamed with tees while Aishwarya's dresses are simply short yet classy. This surely is yet another classy cover by Vogue.

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While the Bachchans are spending quality time as a family in London, my khabru from their current neighbourhood informs that they can't get over a cheeky journalist's questions at the Raavan red carpet premiere.

My khabru says that the lady asked Aishwarya Rai Bachchan about her director, Mani Ratnam, and she replied, "He's my guru." The lady retorted, "I thought Abhishek was your guru?"

I'm told, even before Ash could think of a smart rejoinder to the query, her witty husband Abhishek Bachchan quipped, "I am The Guru."

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Latest news about Aishwarya Rai’s Passport Leaked on Internet updates, Aishwarya Bachchan was terribly shocked when her passport was leaked on various Bollywood blogs on the internet without her knowledge. The issue has raised several questions and has become a matter of great concern for the Bachchan family. When they were reported about the matter, they were stunned.

The picture of Aishwarya and other information on the passport clearly indicates that the passport is authentic and had been issued to her before her marriage as she was holding the title Rai on the passport. It is dated May 2006. It has now become a matter of great worry for the Bachchans as passport is a confidential document and it can be misused in many ways.

The production houses are under suspicion for this shocking event as they have the access of the passports of various Bollywood stars and deal with their visa issues. It is assumed that someone from the production companies has leaked her original passport.

Investigation is going on in full swing and a number of questions are being asked to Aishwarya by police authorities to go deep into the matter. Leaking and posting passport on the internet is a severe crime.

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Calling for boycott of films featuring Indian film stars who failed to attend the recently held IIFA awards ceremony in Colombo, a group in eastern Sri Lanka has torched a cinema hall for showing 'Raavanan'.An unidentified group has called on theatre owners in Batticaloa to refrain from screening movies produced in Tamilnadu in a move to hit back at Indian film stars who boycotted the IIFA awards ceremony in Colombo.The group sent Sinhala and Tamil handbills to cinema owners, telling them to stop the screening of south Indian movies from June 18 till the end of the month.

The handbill says the boycott by the Indian artistes of the IIFA event had brought disrepute to Sri Lanka and therefore, such a retaliation was just and appropriate.The giant screen at the Shanthi Cinema in eastern Batticaloa was torched on Thursday. This was a day before the movie 'Raavanan' was released.The film’s main star cast Abhishek Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai and director Mani Ratnam were among those who did not attend the IIFA ceremony in Colombo, toeing the south Indian film industry’s boycott of the event to protest against alleged war crimes by Sri Lanka

With several new cases of swine flu emerging during the last few days, the health officials attribute the sudden spurt in infections to the onset of monsoon.There is the inherent fear that the virus may flourish since the germs spread more rapidly in the humid conditions.

A medical official stated, "Usually the virus spreads rapidly when day temperatures are low and this could be one reason why there are a greater number of swine flu cases now."The District Medical & Health Officer Dr. Jayakumari on Saturday sounded a high alert urging the Health Department to gear up for what appears like another cycle of the pandemic. She reinforced the need to launch awareness campaigns to tackle the disease.

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She might have been touted as India’s answer to Hollywood, but smothering siren Aishwarya Rai Bachchan has rejected a score of top notch foreign projects for her commitment to Bollywood.

Believe it or not, but the sizzling beauty turned down movies like ‘Troy’, ‘Hancock’ and ‘Seven Pounds’ in the past, that had some of the most awe-striking international filmmakers and actors.

Confirming the news, Aishwarya said, "It wasn`t about an attitude I had, or any inverted ideas about working overseas, it was simply about scheduling. I just didn`t have the time".

The actress is reported to have been courted relentlessly by Hollywood filmmakers. Director Brett Ratner wanted her for ‘Rush Hour’ and Wolfgang Petersen pursued her for ‘Troy’.

Talking about the films she was offered, Ash said, "Michael Douglas came to India and did a press conference where he confessed that he had brought a script my way. And Will Smith was generous enough to be persistent twice over, for ‘Hancock’ and ‘Seven Pounds’.”

The 36-year-old actress said no to the Brad Pitt starrer ‘Troy’ as she was not comfortable with the intimate scenes.

"One of the reasons I declined ‘Troy’ was that there were some very explicit lovemaking scenes in the script, and a lot of kisses. I was like, `Oh my God! I`m not sure`. I couldn`t imagine being comfortable with it," said Aishwarya.

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The screening of Mani Ratnam's Raavan has been stalled in Bihar after differences cropped up between producers Reliance Big Pictures and the primary distributor in Bihar Gopal Bharatiya.

Bharatiya says that though he paid the decided amount of Rs 25 lakh as advance, the producers refused to deliver the prints without being paid an extra Rs 10 lakh.

The distributor says he is considering legal action against the production house.

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They have been extremely busy promoting their latest film Raavan together since the last few days. But Aishwarya Rai and Abhishek Bachchan have been taking some time out to check out the points-table in the ongoing FIFA world cup in South Africa.

According to Ash, she and her hubby are football crazy. There was also rumour that the couple plans to fly to South Africa to catch a game in the semi-finals or the crucial final.

“Abhishek and I are both soccer fans and we root for Brazil. But as far as going for the world cup is concerned, I don’t think we would be able to make it. Things are just too busy,” Ash is quoted as saying by a news daily.

Ash has several more films coming up, including Action Replayy, Guzaarish and Endhiran.

Meanwhile, Raavan has opened to a mixed response from critics. Some are calling it Mani Ratnam’s worst film ever.

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Bollywood actress Aishwarya rai sizzles on femina india magazine for the month june 2010.Aishwarya rai is on high as her latest movie raavan is releasing Today.

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Aishwarya Rai, Abhishek Bachchan and Mani Ratnam. Can a combination get bigger, better or rather ‘scarier’ ( as per the film’s title ) than this?

Will Raavan be able to kidnap ( pun intended ) the audience to their nearby theatres and make the film a ‘hit’ ?

Our in-house expert and celebrity astro-numerologist Bhavikk Sangghvi reveals it all :

“ The title RAAVAN adds up to Number 16 – this octave of Number 7 is an unlucky number. It contains warning of some strange fatality awaiting one, also danger of accidents and defeat of one's plans. If it appears as a "compound" number relating to the future, it is a warning sign that should be carefully noted and plans should be made in advance in an endeavour to avert its fatalistic tendency, ” explains Bhavikk.

He continues “ In simple words, the box office outcome of the film does not look that good to me but...(he adds quickly)...As for Abhishek, he is in his 35th year ( 5th February, 1976 ) and so, being an Aquarian ( ruled by Number 8 – Saturn ), this role will catapult him to a much higher position. Also, this is the year 2010, which adds up to Number 3 ( Jupiter ), which is his destiny number ( the sum total of his date of birth ), and so. it’s praises galore for Bachchan Jr.,” predicts Bhavikk.

“ The same cannot be said for Aishwarya, as being in her 37th year ( 1st November, 1973 ) and Number 3 ( 2010 ) being her weakest number, this is a volatile combination. She might just not get the appreciation as expected, although Number 7 ( Neptune ) is one her better numbers, and that should do some damage control, ” Bhavikk says.

“ But it’s said – in a ‘Mani Ratnam film’, he is the real ‘hero’. Mani sir has just entered his 55th year ( 2nd June, 1956 ) which is ‘not so good’ news for him. Once again, the 'Number 1 ( 55 ) clashes with Number 3 ( Jupiter )' theory is applied here, and that’s not happening at all,” he adds.

“ Last but not the least, Govinda who also acts in the film and would be sulking ( for some reason has been kept out of publicity and promotions ) has nothing to worry about. He is a Number 3 ( 21st December, 1963 ) person in numerology and Number 7 ( Neptune ) is one his best numbers. His performance will be liked despite the length of his role, ” Bhavikk says.

“ As for South actor Vikram, he is in his 45th year ( 17th April, 1966 ) and being an Arien, he is ruled by Number 9 ( Mars ). Plus the year 2010 favours most Number 8 ( Saturn ) people, and so, Vikram will be able to increase his fan following in Bollywood as well after the release of this film,” he adds.

“So, in short, it’s more of awards and appreciation for RAAVAN then any box office rewards or returns, it seems!,” signs off Bhavikk.

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After recent pics of the actress surfaced, fans are wondering if there is 'good news' to be expectedAishwarya Rai's dressing style at the various events to promote Raavan, since the last few days, has yet again evoked a buzz. The actress has been spotted in loose, flowing tops causing speculation.

Two days after the release of Mani Ratnam's Guru in January 2007, she and Abhishek Bachchan announced their engagement. So is there some other news to share after Raavan's release?

After these pictures of hers (with a slight bump on her stomach) appeared on a website, speculation was rife that the actress has some good news to share.

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They are becoming a habit with each other. The husband-wife duo of Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan confess that they thoroughly enjoy working with each other.

Guru, Sarkar Raj and now Raavan… this couple has been having a field day working together. But the beauty of this combination is that they don’t carry their work home.

When curious journos asked this superstar couple whether they discuss movies in the confines of their bedroom, the couple jointly said, “No, we leave our work behind in the studios.

Home is our personal space… and we have a lot to talk about other than work.” They sound quite like Kajol and Ajay Devgn, another couple that revels in each other’s company at home. No shop talk there.

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She may have attended many award functions, but this was different. Former Miss World Aishwarya Rai was in the shoes of tennis greats like Steffi Graf and Andre Agassi when she handed the Longines Prize for Elegance award to retired former World No. 1 Brazilian player Gustavo Kuerten.

Kuerten received the honour for his work in favour of disadvantaged children.

Aishwarya is the Longines Ambassador of Elegance and she attend the charity dinner with the likes of Franco-American tennis professional Mary Pierce and Graf, who along with her husband Agassi also endorses Longines. Ash chose to wear a lovely Elie Saab gown at the event.

After 12 years on the international tour, Kuerten retired from top-level tennis in May 2008. Earlier, he won the French Open three times between 1997 and 2001 and was the Tennis Masters Cup champion in 2000.

Aishwarya also attended the French Open this year.

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