Aishwarya Rai

The Ash season has started in right earnest. After 'Umrao Jaan' and 'Dhoom:2' last year, it's Mani Rathnam's 'Guru'. "I've 'Provoked' and 'The Last Legion' coming up one after another early this year. So between now and March I've four more releases. Is that too much of me?" she laughs musically, undeterred by the tepid response to 'Umrao Jaan'."It was a great role, and working with J.P. Dutta was truly a joy. According me the film was everything it was meant to be…In Umrao one didn't get to see the same me as 'Devdas' or 'Taal'. Again in 'Dhoom 2', 'Guru' and 'Provoked' audiences will get to see me playing distinct characters." The reluctant queen of controversies has said yes to two new films in 2007. One is Ram Gopal Varma's 'Sarkar 2' and the other is a film to be produced by Karan Johar and directed his assistant Tarun Tulsakhani. Both will pair her with Abhishek Bachchan. again"There're other projects that I'm on the verge of signing this year. Very interesting scripts that I'll most probably say yes to. But at the moment I'm having the time of my life shooting for 'Jodha-Akbar'. Ashutosh Gawariker is not just a meticulous director but also a very sweet and sincere human –being." According to Gulzar Saab who wrote the lyrics, Aishwarya has never looked more beautiful than she does in Guru. "That's so sweet. It's a very simple middleclass look. In Guru I got work with my guru again. If you remember I started my career with Mani Rathnam in 'Iruvar'. Now after ten years we're back together again. Guru has been a very very special experience."