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Once an artist, always an artist: Aishwarya talks about her return to the silver screen

Once an artist, always an artist: Aishwarya talks about her return to the silver screen

In this exclusive interview with Images, Aishwarya Rai-Bachchan talks about her comeback and life as a working mother
20 Oct, 2015

Aishwarya Rai-Bachchan's Jazbaa, her much-touted comeback film, has been released, but does it herald a new era in the actress' career?

She stars as a lawyer on a personal mission in the film, in which she co-stars with A-listers like Irrfan Khan and Shabana Azmi.

Images talks to her about what's changed upon her return to films and her life as a working mother.

Images: You've made a highly anticipated comeback in Jazbaa. Were you nervous?

Aishwarya Rai: Once an artist, always an artist! Whether there is a gap or not doesn’t matter. An actor gets satisfaction from the work he or she does. As far as nervousness is concerned, I don’t follow the conventional path. I enjoy the process of making a film. With every movie that we make, we hope that it appeals to the audience because it is made for them.

Images: Did you miss being in the limelight over the past five years?

Aishwarya: I have not felt the gap. There was no plan to it. I kept doing films before marriage, during marriage and after marriage, during my pregnancy and now.

I respect the integrity of commitment. I am a very committed mother. When I felt the time was right to venture out to figure out the balance [between motherhood and work], I did so.

I am still figuring it out. I think in a mother’s life, every day is a first, whether the baby is one year old or five years old, as you have not been a mother before. Every day, you keep discovering. Fortunately, I think, it has all fallen into place.

Aishwariya plays a lawyer who is coerced into defending a rapist in Sanjay Gupta's thriller Jazbaa - Photo courtesy masala.com
Aishwariya plays a lawyer who is coerced into defending a rapist in Sanjay Gupta's thriller Jazbaa - Photo courtesy masala.com

Images: What were your expectations from Jazbaa?

Aishwarya: It is an exciting time for us in the movies. A variety of subjects are appreciated and enjoyed by the audience. We creative people are very grateful for it. We too get to enjoy the variety.

Images: How did you prepare for your role as a lawyer?

Aishwarya: I played a lawyer for the first time in Jazbaa, so the film educated me about the life of a lawyer. Cinema is part of our culture, so we have certain impressions about what a courtroom scenario is likely to be. But we wanted to keep it as real as we could and that’s the way we have played it - with the conviction of a lawyer, not necessarily the dramatics.

Images: Was it a difficult role to play?

Aishwarya: It is not a conventional 9-to-5 job. Our job [as actors] is [also] rarely defined by time. We do it because we love making movies. Every day at work is challenging.

Images: You worked with Irrfan Khan for the first time in this film...

Aishwarya: This was a dream cast for me. When I read the script, he was mentioned, and I was glad he did the film. When you are working with Irrfan, you don’t feel like you are working. He makes the atmosphere relaxed. [The director] Sanjay made things easy and effortless for all of us.

Jazbaa was the first-time pairing of Aishwarya and Irrfan Khan - Photo courtesy masala.com
Jazbaa was the first-time pairing of Aishwarya and Irrfan Khan - Photo courtesy masala.com

Images: Since both you and Irrfan are international stars, do you expect the film to be a hit in other countries too?

Aishwarya: We are only thinking [on the] national [level]. When I am introduced, either there is reference to Miss World or to an “international beauty title” or to an “international presence”. I am very thankful for the opportunities. When we did this film, we were happy to come on board as actors.

Images: Unlike most other actors, you have stayed away from social media.

Aishwarya: I have not been on social media. Whenever I say something, it is through my husband Abhishek’s account and it is just to thank everyone for their good wishes, love and blessings. I am grateful for everything.

Images: Did you miss the limelight and why the apprehension with the word ‘comeback’?

Aishwarya: Being a working mother, I really did not delve into this absence factor. And that's probably why I haven't necessarily focused on the term 'comeback'. There's no going away from [films] and running away from [films]. And it will forever be the ‘comeback’ film. So I'm not denying it, but when I turn around and say that I haven't felt it, that's just the way it is.

Comments

M.Saeed Oct 20, 2015 12:38pm
But, once a mother, always a mother and a real mother cannot be faked while an artist makes a story look real by his acts and artistry.
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Muhammad Ayub khan Oct 20, 2015 01:44pm
She is a very talented actress who has performed well so many times intelligently by her performing Art. she has got charismatic personality with maturity of mind. hope people will get motivated by her performing art in this movie. she will be appreciated by her work performance and maturity of the character by her expressions and inner emotional sentiments
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Syed Ganga Din Oct 20, 2015 03:11pm
Nice lady but should not have married Bachchan.
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Madhusudan Oct 20, 2015 05:16pm
Ash was really good in jazbaa.
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A common pakistani Oct 20, 2015 06:36pm
Her first identity is that of a model, I would say she has mediocre acting talent.
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AJ Oct 21, 2015 06:05am
Aishwarya Rai is a very talented, charming and down to earth actress. I wish her a lot more success.
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The Blackmamba Oct 21, 2015 10:34am
The Empress Returns !!!
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