18 September 2007 ONLY RECENTLY one reported on how she was making fun of Rani on the sets of Laaga Chunari Mein Daag. This did not do well with Aditya Chopra who felt that an outsider did not have the right to come on the sets of his film and make fun of his heroine Rani; who is also the love of his life.
This obviously is a black mark on her ambitions of doing a Yashraj film in the near future. To make matters worse, instead of realising her faux pas and making amends for the sake of her husband who is after all Abhishek's co star, she added fuel to the fire by refusing to attend the party thrown by Rani to celebrate the completion of the film. Even though Ash had insulted Rani, the latter was gracious enough to invite Ash and pretend nothing happened. Abhishek adores Rani's mom's fish curry and used to be a regular visitor at their place. Abhishek and Ash did not even bother to inform Rani that they would not be attending.
Jaya on the other hand was gracious enough to call and say she was not able to attend. Did she not want to upset her daughter-in –law?
But here's a story one cannot ignore. When Salman was arrested, reportedly a member of the Bachchan household innocently picked up a telephone extension, and apparently, speaking to a friend on the line was Ash. This loyal person is said to have overheard Ash telling her friend that the news of Salman's arrest had upset her. (All very well, since he was after all a significant part of her life earlier.) But things went a step further when Ash reportedly told the friend that too many things seemed to be in Salman's disfavour. In fact, she was thinking of having a pooja done on his behalf, in the hope that it would help set things right for him.
The shocked household member is said to have later conveyed this conversation to one of Ash's in-laws and much consternation followed. After all, she is their son's wife and while she is allowed her thoughts and feelings, perhaps a pooja for an ex-boyfriend seemed a little too much.
This follows a little too soon in the wake of the shock the Bachchans reportedly got when they viewed the DVD scene of Ash in her Hollywood film The Last Legion. For in it, Ash is said to be stepping out of the water in nothing but a kurta, with her assets on display. Earlier, just before the wedding, it was her explicit screen kiss with Hrithik from Dhoom 2 that caused embarrassment.
One hears that the Bachchans have discreetly but sternly let Ash know that certain things just don't fit in with the Bachchan culture, like too much exposure in films. And it is for this very reason that Ash is said to have refused Karan Johar's next film.
Perhaps all these things are forgivable but Salman Khan will remain a definite thorn in the side of husband Abhishek Bachchan.
Ash should tread gently as this industry is unforgiving. Angering Adi Chopra is a big mistake as he has powerful friends in the industry. Ash hardly has any heroes to boast of as the major ones have refused to work opposite her. Therefore she is left with only husband Abhishek. She has now succeeded in angering the heroines too. Rano, of course, but also Celina and Shilpa. She made her secretary call up all the publications to say that Ash was the only one selected to do Pink Panther 2. This forced the agents of Celina and Shilpa to enter into the mudslinging arena to bring proof that both their clients were definitely approached before Ash. When all the proof came out in the open, Ash looked foolish, so she reportedly got the Pink Panther 2 PR to send in a denial again. Who really cares for all this politicking except for Ash? Does she not realise that everyday she keeps adding to her list of enemies?
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