‘Not giving in to pressure about my comeback film’
At her 13th Cannes Film Festival appearance, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan speaks of the two films she has signed
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is at the Cannes Film Festival for the 13th year. Ask her to recall the 2002 premiere of Devdas there and the yellow sari she had worn, and the actor says, “People still come up to me with those photos to get an autograph. They are great memories.”
You’ve spoken about how this festival has broadened your horizons in terms of cinema. Has it enabled you to make braver choices in terms of roles?
Even prior to my festival experience, I started with Iruvar (1997) with Mani (Ratnam; film-maker). I always thought I was trying to chart a new course than what’s predictable for the leading lady back home. That’s been my journey so far, and it continues in that sense. I don’t believe in the term ‘comeback’, because although I took a maternity break, I didn’t go anywhere else. I’m still part of the same turf, going to the studio, doing endorsements and attending festivals. I’m doing everything that I chose to do during the first two-and-ahalf years of my child’s life. And I have consented to doing films later this year.
Are you doing an action-thriller
with Sanjay Gupta now?
Yes, and Mani’s film as well. The choices are about working with these filmmakers and on those subjects, because I find them exciting. I’m not giving in to the pressure and expectation of questions about what my comeback film will be.
What are you doing with Mani?
Abhishek (actor-husband) and I both feel that apart from being an exemplary film-maker, it’s just a pleasure to work with him. There’s something he is always exploring creatively, and it makes the entire team want to push themselves. Working with him is exciting and inspiring, and we are like family.