Aishwarya Rai was apparently involved with so many flicks that rumours of her leaving Bollywood after her imminent nuptials to Abhishek Bachchan had the movie business in uproar. But today there is a sentiment of relief all over Bollywood after the announcement that she will not throw in the towel after her wedding. Ram Gopal Varma discloses he is continuing with Sarkar 2 as agreed, as has Karan Johar ’s chief assistant Tarun Mansukhani. Moreover, Ash has agreed to Shridhar Raghavan’s Happy Birthday with John Abraham, in theory. “She goes into all these assignments as soon as she completes Jodha Akbar . There’s absolutely no reason to think she’d quit working after marriage. Everyone in the two families is very supportive of Aishwarya’s career. And that includes Jaya Bachchan ,” said a source. After these revelations, the claim that Ash would not follow through with her obligations including Vicky Chopra’s Raaste, appears unlikely. Says ‘Raaste’ producer Sunil Shetty : “My film with Chopra is very much on. But I’m in no hurry to start it. A lot depends on when Abhishek and Aishwarya get married. This project needs a lot of pre-production preparation. So whenever they’re comfortably placed we will go ahead with it. As a producer I want to make sure I don’t stress anyone out.” Ash, who is presently in Karjat filming for Ashutosh Gowarikar ’s ‘Jodha Akbar’, has the motion picture people eager to watch her work in her upcoming two productions with Hrithik Roshan and Abhishek.

Says a fresh and very determined director: “I want to bring her together with both Abhishek and Hrithik, since she’s proved herself a hit with them both in Guru and Dhoom 2 . I’m working on a script and will approach them only after I’m completely satisfied that I can do full justice to all of them.

“I’ve been assured by her secretary that Aishwarya has no plans for quitting. These rumours are being spread by people who would rather see her quit than conquer new heights. She has given two hits in a row and is more career-focussed now and determined to prove she’s here to stay, than ever before.”

While she has the history saga ‘Jodha Akbar’ with Hrithik, there are several jobs with Abhishek in the pipeline. The “elusive” Rekha can’t wait for ‘Jodha Akbar’.

“I haven’t seen Guru. But I saw portions of ‘Dhoom 2’ and was very impressed by Aishwarya. That girl knows how to carry herself. I’m certainly looking forward to seeing her in ‘Jodha Akbar’,” said Rekha.

Chuckles Gowarikar: “I’m not daunted by people’s expectations from Ash in ‘Jodha Akbar’. I don’t know how well I’m directing. But she is certainly every bit the epitome of Jodha.”

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