Mani Ratnam has this to say when asked about his frequent collaborations with Aishwarya Rai Bachchan.
Mani Ratnam launched Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in the film industry with his political drama, Iruvar in 1997. Since then, the director-actress duo have teamed up on many films like Raavan, Guru, Ponniyin Selvan 1 and the upcoming Ponniyin Selvan 2.
At the recent press meet for PS-2, the acclaimed director opened up on casting Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in his films. When asked if the diva is his lucky charm, Mani Ratnam said that he approached her for his films only if he thinks that she is right for the role.
The Dil Se director told reporters, “Filmmakers are very selfish people. Absolutely heartless and selfish, the only thing they care for is the film. However much I love her, I ask her only if I think she is right for the role. Every time I have asked her is because I have believed that she was absolutely right for the role and she has been nice enough to say yes. So, she is not just a lucky charm for me, it is her talent and her personality that was right to portray this character.”
Touched by the director’s words, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan who was also a part of the same press conference got up from her seat and touched his feet to seek blessings from him. During the course of the press meet, Aishwarya said that she doesn’t differentiate between cinema as North and South. She also added that she is ‘grateful’ and fortunate to have collaborated with veterans like Mani Ratnam and AR Rahman who are an ‘incredible combination of talents.’
Based on Kalki Krishnamurthy’s novel by the same novel, Ponniyin Selvan 2 has an ensemble star cast which includes Vikram, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Karthi, Trisha, Jayam Ravi, Sobhita Dhulipal and Aishwarya Lekshmi.
