Aishwarya will do films after marriage too

The much talked about Abhishek Bachchan-Aishwarya Rai marriage has sparked off a lot of speculation about Ash's future assignments. However, Ram Gopal Varma confirms he's going ahead with "Sarkar 2" as per plans, as has Karan Johar's chief assistant Tarun Mansukhani.

Aishwarya has also said yes to Shridhar Raghavan's "Happy Birthday" with John Abraham, in principle.

"She goes into all these assignments as soon as she completes 'Jodha-Akbar'. There's absolutely no reason to think she'd quit working after marriage. Everyone in the two families is very supportive of Aishwarya's career. And that includes Jaya Bachchan," a source close to Aishwarya told IANS.

In the light of these declarations, the contention that the actress would back out of her commitments including Vicky ("Fight Club") Chopra's "Raaste", seems implausible.

Says "Raaste" producer Suniel Shetty: "My film with Chopra is very much on. But I'm in no hurry to start it. A lot depends on when Abhishek and Aishwarya get married. This project needs a lot of pre-production preparation. So whenever they're comfortably placed we will go ahead with it. As a producer I want to make sure I don't stress anyone out."

Aishwarya, who's currently ensconced in Karjat shooting for Ashutosh Gowariker's "Jodha-Akbar", has the film fraternity agog to see her in her next two films with Hrithik Roshan and Abhishek.

Says a young and very ambitious director: "I want to bring her together with both Abhishek and Hrithik, since she's proved herself a hit with them both in 'Guru' and 'Dhoom 2'. I'm working on a script and will approach them only after I'm completely satisfied that I can do full justice to all of them.

"I've been assured by her secretary that Aishwarya has no plans for quitting. These rumours are being spread by people who would rather see her quit than conquer new heights. She has given two hits in a row and is more career-focussed now and determined to prove she's here to stay, than ever before."

While she has the historical "Jodha-Akbar" with Hrithik, there are three projects with Abhishek in the pipeline.

The elusive Rekha for one is dying to see "Jodha-Akbar". "I haven't seen 'Guru'. But I saw portions of 'Dhoom 2' and was very impressed by Aishwarya. That girl knows how to carry herself. I'm certainly looking forward to seeing her in 'Jodha-Akbar'," said Rekha.

Laughs Gowariker: "I'm not daunted by people's expectations from Ash in 'Jodha-Akbar'. I don't know how well I'm directing. But she is certainly every bit the epitome of Jodha."