Aishwarya Rai and Abhishek Bachchan in as still from Umrao Jaan. Photo Credit: JP FilmsThe Bachchan family has consented to the wedding of son Abhishek with Bollywood leading lady and former Miss World Asihwarya Rai, according to a Star News exclusive. The wedding is likely to take place in February next year. A firm date will be settled upon by priests for the two families who together agree that the month of February, 2007 is auspicious.
There is, however, no official confirmation of the reported wedding. The two stars, who have been romantically linked since over an year now, have consistently refused to confirm media speculation on the issue.
Past media reports have suggested that the couple have kept their wedding plans in abeyance pending a nod from the Bachchan family, something that has so far not been forthcoming. Speculations on the reasons for the holdup have centered on father Amitabh Bachchan's desire for a homemaker bride not a film star, the family's ardent faith in matching the horoscopes of the bride and groom, and the need for Abhishek, 30, to stabilize in his film career.
Though Amitabh Bachchan himself had married a very successful Bollywood star, following their wedding wife Jaya had stayed at home to tend to the needs of the family. She, did return to films but only after her children were settled.
In the recent past Aishwarya, 33, has made great efforts to assuage any misgivings that the Bachchan family may have harbored about her abilities as a homemaker. Her efforts at winning the hearts of the Bachchan family include a hospital visit to Abhishek's grandmother Teji Bachchan and frequent visits to the Bachchan home. Recently she and her family spent their Diwali with the Bachchans.
In her recent interviews with the press Rai has gone out of the way to stress the fact that she has largely essayed roles that are quintessentially Indian. She has studiously avoided the image of a sex symbol.
Aishwarya Rai and Abhishek Bachchan in as still from Umrao Jaan. Photo Credit: JP FilmsAs far as matching of horoscopes go, both Aishwarya and Abhishek are believed to be Mangliks. A wedding between two mangliks with matching horoscopes is considered very auspicious.
A horoscope match was confirmed in Nov 2005 when Amitabh's brother, Ajitabh, visited a priest in Bangalore in the company of Abhishek, at the behest of Teji Bachchan.
It is reported that the ailing Teji Bachchan is very keen to see her grandson wed.
Abhishek Bachchan, who started his film career with Refugee in 2000 had a string of 14 flops before coming good in Mani Ratnam's Yuva (2004). Since then he has starred in a chain of box office successes like Bunty Aur Babli, Sarkar, Bluff Master and Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna
Apparently Aishwarya's successful efforts at portraying herself as a homemaker, in the mould of mother in law Jaya Bachchan, the blessings of the family priests and Abhishek’s recent successes at the box office have together weighed in on the family which has now given a nod to the alliance.
When asked to comment on reports that his wedding had been set for February next year Abhishek, with a smile that belied his words said, "No, it has not. Sorry to disappoint you."
While the veracity of the Star News report cannot be commented on at this stage, its timing is curious.
JP Dutta's Umarao Jaan is slated for release next Friday. The film will be a litmus test for the onscreen pairing of Abhishek and Aishwarya which has in the past consistently failed at the box offic. (Dhaai Akshar Prem Ke (2000), Kuch Naa Kaho (2003))
A success of the romantic screen pairing is imperative not just because they are paired again in two forthcoming big budget films (Guru, Sarkar 2) but because a flop in reel life pairing could also put pressures on their real life pairing.
Interestingly, both Abhishek and Aishwarya have recently avoided facing the media or their fans together.
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