IANS
Mumbai, NOv 1: It can't be anything but destiny. Aishwarya Rai, who will be playing Mumtaz Mahal in Ben Kingsley's film on the Taj Mahal, celebrated her 34th birthday in Agra with husband Abhishek Bachchan.
“You make it sound so dramatic and romantic. It's nothing like that. I've brought it in with Abhishek, Ma (mom-in-law Jaya Bachchan) and Pa (father-in-law Amitabh Bachchan),” Aishwary, who turns a year older on Thursday, told IANS.
“Abhishek was shooting an ad in Agra on Wednesday. So I joined him with Ma. And then Pa also joined us. So you could say it's a perfect birthday by the Taj Mahal, though not quite at the Taj Mahal - have you seen the crowds over there? We can't risk going to the Taj Mahal, but a stone's throw away. It's a pity my parents couldn't join us here in Agra,” she added.
She says that her birthday in Agra was very special. “My birthday in Agra was just too special. Someone up there has answered all my prayers.”
It's been a hectic time for Aishwarya. She has just come home after two months in Boston and will be heading straight to Karjat after her birthday for the last two days' shooting of Ashutosh Gowariker's Jodhaa-Akbar.
However, the actress is in a celebration mode since her arrival.
“I came back from the US from shooting Pink Panther in time for Karwa Chauth. God knows how the TV cameras got our shots, probably from neighbour's premise. We're just leading our lives normally. I don't know why or how the press has this hunger to know about us.”
This is Aishwarya's first birthday at the Bachchans after her much-hyped wedding with Abhishek.
“This is my first birthday after marriage and therefore a very special occasion. But that apart, you know me. Spending time with the people I love is my greatest joy. I'm in a very happy place. And I don't mean Agra. Just being with three people who mean so much to me makes my life complete. God has been kind. There's great fulfilment in love and in being loved, by not just my husband, but his parents, who are now my parents. We're one family and we all love one another.”
“Well if you say I glow, it's the glow of happiness. I couldn't have asked for more.” She's excited about doing the Taj Mahal film with Kingsley.
“On the first day of shooting The Last Legion with him, he (Ben Kingsley) walked up to me and said, 'I've this idea.' And he told me about the Shah Jehan-Mumtaz Mahal film that he'd like to do. You know, how many Taj Mahal scripts have come my way. I told Ben there have been many occasions when this subject has come to me.
“But there was something exceptionally interesting about the way he approached the subject. And yes, the whole process of discussing the subject with him was participative. After The Last Legion I kind of put it in the back of my mind. But earlier this year he confirmed it was on.”
At the moment it's Jodhaa-Akbar that occupies Aishwarya's mind.
“You know me. Once I get into a subject, I'm totally into it. But yes, I'm looking forward to working with Ben again.”
What does she want for her birthday?
She thought for a while and said: “Just blessings and good wishes. Apart from that God has given me everything.”