Aishwarya's performance shocks Ram Gopal Varma

Mumbai, Aug 19 (IANS) For the first time in her career Aishwarya Rai has gone completely make-up free for Ram Gopal Varma's 'Sarkar 2' and the director says he had the time of his life shooting with her.

'Very frankly, I was wondering what she had in store as I had never worked with her before. And considering the sequel to Sarkar is a dark, intense, raw and real film I was apprehensive about how far Aishwarya would be able to shed her immense glamour,' Varma told IANS.

But the Bachchan bahu took him by surprise.

'She shocked me with her performance. Without too many rehearsals and certainly without attending any pre-shoot workshop Aishwarya has stood up to Amitabh Bachchan and Abhishek in every scene. Audiences will be shocked with her performance,' Varma said.

'I can't see the film working without her. But to quote me as saying the film could have worked without Mr. Bachchan and Abhishek but not without Aishwarya is like saying the 'Godfather' could do without Brando and Pacino,' he added.