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Govinda and Aishwarya Rai come together in Mani Ratnam's next

by Rajiv Dutta

After doing comic roles for almost a decade, Govinda has bagged a Mani Ratnam film. Govinda has been signed for a pivotal part in the Abhishek Bachchan-Aishwarya Rai starrer that will go on floors by the year-end.

Confirming this startling development, Govinda who's currently nursing his daughter Narmada after her facial surgery, expresses deep gratitude for being presented with a second innings as an actor.

"I had almost disappeared from the scene and was pulled back from the doldrums in the nick of time by my friends like Salman Khan and a few others," he says.

Expressing his happiness over being roped in by Ratnam, he says, "I am actually doing a film with him! Isn't it every actor's dream to work with him? We met recently and I heard about my role.

It is an interesting and a powerful role." So does it have a comic streak? "It is not comic by any standard. Mani is making an intense film. My role will definitely surprise people," he adds.

Having worked with Aishwarya once, Govinda is now looking forward to work with Abhishek. "I've done Albela with Aishwarya, but never worked with Abhishek. Whenever I happen to meet them socially, they're both so nice to me.

In fact, I'm a big fan of the Bachchans, especially Amitji, with whom I've done Bade Miyan Chote Miyan. Now I'm going to work with Amitji's son. That's a happy occasion for me," says Govinda.

Any trepidation since Abhishek is known to share an amazing rapport with Ratnam? "Dekhiya bhaiyya, I've seen too much in life to be scared of competition. I feel I should do my job and leave the rest to destiny.

Besides, I have a wonderful role and Mani sure seems to be a humble and a down-to-earth person, just like I am. Hamare jaise log bahut vulnerable hote hain. I've been taken full advantage of, all my life.

But I've now reached a stage where I've gathered all the stones that are hurled at me and I'm using them to build a nice house for myself," he says.

However elated Govinda might be about working with Ratnam, he has not forgotten old friends. He is currently working with Vashu Bhagnani and David Dhawan in Do Knot Disturb. He has also completed a film with director Jagmohan Mundhra titled Excuse Me, Please.

After 5 years, Abhishek finally keeps his promise to Aishwarya

After 5 years, Abhishek finally keeps his promise to Aishwarya
15th July 2008 22.30 IST
By ApunKaChoice

Five years ago, when he had no clue that he would one day marry her, Abhishek Bachchan had made a promise to Aishwarya Rai .

It happened during the making of their film Kuch Na Kaho in 2003 when Ash was headed for a world tour and tipped the organizers of the shows to ask Abhishek to be a part of the tour. Abhishek turned down the offer because he had no dates to spare. Since then Ash has been taunting him for that. But Abhi made a promise to her that one day he would definitely accompany her on a world tour.

Years passed and their lives turned out such that they ended up falling in love and getting married. Now, what did not materialize five years ago is finally going to happen.

For, Abhishek and Ash are headed to the ‘Unforgettable’ tour that will travel to Canada, the US and the UK. This is the couple’s first tour together. They, along with Pa Amitabh Bachchan , are at the helm of the tour.

The tour begins with a concert in Toronto on Friday.

While Aishwarya could not fully rehearse her dance steps for the first concert because she fell ill, Abhishek has assured the organizers (Wizcraft) that he is more than willing to step in for Ash or dad Big B if any of them feels unwell during the tour. The trio will perform solo as well as together in concerts.

Apart from the Bachchans, the tour features Preity Zinta , Ritesh Deshmukh and music composer duo Vishal-Shekhar .
Other Bollywood stars like Madhuri Dixit , Akshay Kumar and Shilpa Shetty would join the troupe on different legs of the tour.

Abhishek learns Aishwarya's dance steps for Unforgettable tour

IANS | Monday, 14 July , 2008, 14:36

Abhishek Bachchan is playing the perfect doting husband to wife Aishwarya Rai. When she fell ill after rigorous rehearsals for their much talked about 'Unforgettable' world tour that kicks off in Toronto on Friday, Abhishek learnt her steps, too. "We have been rehearsing for the tour non-stop for nearly a month now. Shiamak [Davar] has been working us around so hard to get our dance steps right that my wife Aishwarya fell sick with exhaustion. For three days, she could not move out of the house," said Abhishek. "That put an additional burden on me because I had to do her steps also, not only at the rehearsal hall but at home too in order to teach her the dance steps Shiamak had given her for the songs she would be dancing to during the tour," he told reporters. Abhishek says now he is ready to pitch in for both his father, Amitabh Bachchan, and wife. "I told the 'wizzies' [members of Wizcraft, which is putting together the tour] that if she falls sick again and won't be able to dance during the show they should not get panicky because I have learnt all her steps and might as well double for her. "Moreover, dad's body is also no longer as nimble as it was. In case he gets tired during the tour I may have to do the Kajra re… number all by myself. Well, I am prepared for that, too," Abhishek said with a straight face. His impromptu 'act' threw everybody into splits at the event. Apart from the Bachchans, Preity Zinta, Riteish Deshmukh, and composer duo Vishal-Shekhar are also part of the tour. There will be some guest stars as well—Akshay will perform in Toronto, Shilpa Shetty in Britain and Madhuri Dixit in the US.

Aishwarya down with German measles

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is down with German measles but that isn't going to put a stop to her work commitments. The actress has been under the weather for the past one week. We spoke to her manager about the actress' condition.

"Yes Aishwarya has been unwell for the past one week. She has been at home for the last one week as she was running high temperature and her skin had broken out into a rash. But she is recuperating just fine now," informed Hari Singh.

When asked about the Unforgettable Tour and her rehearsals for it, Hari Singh says "In 1-2 days she will be back on track. The tour is very much on and everything is going along just fine. In between she was on bed rest but now she is doing okay… and in a couple of days you will see her out and about."

Aishwarya's illness comes just a few days after her father was unwell. In fact he underwent surgery himself and is currently recuperating at the Rai residence.

Aishwarya Rai Gallery 5