Aishwarya on not giving up on Indian cinema for Hollywood

After seeing success in international film projects like ‘Bride & Prejudice’, ‘Provoked’ and more recently ‘The Pink Panther 2’, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan said in an interview how she never wanted to give up Indian cinema for her Hollywood dream.

In an interview with Rajeev Masand on a news channel, Bachchan said, “I was very clear about that. Also because I enjoy Indian cinema I have had such wonderful directors to work with – I couldn’t get myself to do that. That’s because it is just a different rhythm – I know I can imagine some of our talent working there and experiencing it – it is exciting. It is wonderful to be part of cinema irrespective of which language or part of the world it is getting made in. It is just a different rhythm with which we worked in India and overseas…”

She further added, “At that time social media was still beginning. Today, the world is socially smaller, you feel more connected and the pace of life is getting faster than not to so long ago. I guess each one will find their own rhythm and what suits everybody. I also had so many yes and no in my list of dos and don’ts. So it narrowed down my choices and that’s just the way I felt I would be comfortable.”

Talking about her recent film choices, Bachchan said, “In 2016, I had Sarbjit on one hand and Ae Dil Hai Mushkil on the other. So many were like ‘What she is doing? What is she choosing?’ But I’m glad about it and thankful to my audience. I know there are some people who’d still be discussing – can she act or not. I’m like ‘Don’t question some of the best directors because I don’t think they’d risk their scripts or productions. Thank you for visual compliments but I have worked hard to be able to put forth the substance.”