It could be the biggest romance to enthrall fans and tinsletown alike ever since Dharmendra wooed Hema Malini. To think of it, none of today's stars are romancing their costars. Shah Rukh, Aamir were married when they became the nation's hearthrobs, to people from non-filmi backgrounds. Hrithik was already committed to Suzzane when he became a rage. Of course the flavour of the season till recently were Kareena and Shahid, but honestly, is there any mystique, any charm whatsoever left in their completely public affair?
And now there are whispers of a romance that link Bollywood's most eligible and hottest bachelor to the world's most beautiful and sought after woman. When girls lusted after and swooned over Abhishek, they wondered who would ultimately be lucky enough to win his heart and his parents' approval. For it was a known fact that Abhishek would not get serious about any girl, without his parents' tacit approval. And now, as per reports in Mid Day, Abhishek and his Umrao Jan costar, the exquisite Aishwarya Rai, have got real cosy on the sets of the movie and might even be dating.
Mid Day says that even when she was going around with Vivek, she would keep sending Abhishek SMS messages.
The grapevine got a whiff of the affair when the reticent Jr. B invited the former Miss World home for dinner. Amitabh Bachchan has often voiced his admiration of Aishwarya before the media. And it seems likely his wife, Abhishek's mother, can't find fault with the perfect Miss Rai either.
With her impeccable English, her prim and proper demeanour and her clean reputation (inspite of the Salman link-up), and her fierce determination to protect her personal life and keep it under wraps, she obviously is Bachchan "bahu" material.
If rumours are to believed the two mothers have already met and horoscopes have been exchanged. After the Karisma fiasco, Jr. B would understandably like to take it slow this time, and be absolutely sure of his lady love's affections.
Miss Rai was, as usual, unavailable for comment.
10