Aishwarya: I'm always greeted with that line - the most beautiful face in the world. I'm awkward, I still don't know what to say to that.
Karan: So you think it would be a change to be told you're not looking nice today? People say you are not spontaneous, that it's all poised and perfect. You are the bride of India who invites a lot of prejudices.
Aishwarya: (laughs) Initially it hurts, but then when you get to know who said, where it's stemming from and why, it's easier to not take it to heart. As a model, I had the natural body language. I was never trained. If people can't accept your natural graces, they attribute it to being put on.
Sanjay: She didn't want to work in my film, Bajirao Mastani, for different reasons. But it was portrayed as a rift.
Aishwarya: Yes, we discussed it in my house. It was his vision as a director. The cast he saw was ideal for the film. But I could not work with the team he planned. We were amicable about it.
Karan: What circumstances? (smirks)
Aishwarya: Well, I was game to play Mastani, but not to the Bajirao he had in mind. But the press said, Aishwarya "walks out on Bajirao-Mastani". He was obviously hurt by that headline.
Karan: How does it feel to see other directors portray Aishwarya in their films? Because admittedly she looked best in your two films.
Sanjay: I don't think they understand the aura of Aishwarya Rai, her beauty. I think she's struggling in other films, groping from the director. But we share such a great rapport. I think she'll be completely deprived of details from others.
Aishwarya and Sanjay: (laugh)
Karan: How is it working with Rani Mukerjee?
Sanjay: Rani is the girl next door. She's completely mad. I had a wonderful working relationship with her. She may not have the aura of a star like Aishwarya, but she is a fantastic actress.
Karan: And, Aishwarya, how does it feel to see someone else being the lead role in his films?
Aishwarya: Working with him is being with a friend. There is a possessive streak but not so much as to not be able to see him working with anyone else.