Abhishek, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan Escape Narrowly..

By Subhash K Jha

We all know Bollywood's most romantic married couple Abhishek and Aishwarya Rai-Bachchan pine to spend quality time together.

But the way they were stranded together on Wednesday in the jungles of Athirapilly in Kerala was anything but romantic.

The day, according to the unit, started normally and ended being one of the most calamitous and nightmarish days of the couple's life.

Says a source, "Abhi and Ash left with Mani Ratnam on Wednesday morning to check out an elephant which was supposed to participate in the shooting from next week. Little did they know what was in store."

The elephant went berserk killing the mahout and taking off on a stampede that had Abhishek, his wife and director hiding in the jungles until people who could control the elephant and rescue the couple could reach.

Says the source, "For ten hours Abhishek, Aishwarya and Mani went without food or water. They just hid themselves from the elephant's rampaging wrath. Finally they were rescued late at night. But until then there was no news of their safety and wellbeing. Abhishek and Aishwarya's parents were delirious with worry."

Raavan seems to be the most troubled film that Mani Ratnam has shot. From the director's health scare to a rampaging elephant to severe viral infections and malaria the cast and crew has seen and experienced enough to make a fast-paced thriller on the making of Raavan.