SUBJECT - WEBSITE SIMPLICITY
Q -
Why is this website so "simple"?
A - When designing this site, one of my biggest concerns
was that it would not present a large load time to
anyone. Fans log in to this site from all over the
world, and many people do not have a broadband connection.
I wanted an elegant look, while still maintaining
reasonable load times for everyone. In short,
sometimes less is more. :)
SUBJECT - WEBSITE OWNERSHIP
Q -
Does Aishwarya REALLY own this website?
A - YES, AishwaryaWorld.com is owned by Aishwarya Rai, herself. There are no other authorized sites for Aishwarya. This is the one & only. You will not find personally autographed photos to her fans elsewhere.
Please Note - It is illegal to say "official & authorized" if that statement is untrue.
Once again, we are the only "official & authorized" web site for Aishwarya Rai.
Also, all sites which use any type of digitally altered nude or explicit photos of Ms. Rai will be sued for using her name and likeness. We hereby request those in violation to immediately remove any such digitally altered nude or explicit photographs from their websites.
We would appreciate it if you would let us know of any such sites, as mentioned above.
Thank you.
Simone Sheffield
Manager To Aishwarya Rai
SUBJECT - WEIGHT GAIN
Q -
Why has Ash gained weight?
A - I felt it was more suitable for my character in Bride
& Prejudice to not look like a fashion model, so I
gained 20 pounds in hopes of making the role more
realistic. I am now on a diet, but it was more fun
to gain than it is to lose... :)
SUBJECT - JAMES BOND
Q -
Is Ash the next Bond Girl?
A - NO. I am not nor do I plan on becoming the next Bond girl. this is a rumor that was started months ago......... no one has ever come to confirm this rumor directly with me and it just continues to grow and grow.
SUBJECT - THE RISING
FALSE
STORY - ASH GREEDY AND FIRED FROM THE RISING.
TRUTH
- THE DECISION TO NOT APPEAR IN THE RISING WAS MUTUAL.
BOTH PARTIES WERE IN AGREEMENT.
Ash
mutually opted out of the Rising. Unfortunately, we have
had a lot of untrue press in India.
The
producer Bobby Bedi, came out and said Ash was greedy and
was fired from the film.
That
is totally untrue ! Money is usually the least important
issue for Ash. She has no problem starring in films for
virtually free, just as she did in "Chokher
Bali".
As
her Manager, I will reply to a few questions that I have
received from other media outlets and also provide you
with a brief explanation and documentation
Q:
Since when are you handling Ash’s career?
A:
October 2002
Q:
Was there any kind of agreement signed officially with the
producer of The Rising?.
A.
Yes,
a document that stated she would participate in the Rising
based on
mutually agreed to terms and conditions. below
is the document, to confirm.
Q:
What exactly prompted you to renegotiate the deal,
specially after agreeing to work together?
A.
The fact that there is and was never a formal agreement
made, is number one. Next, once we found that the Rising
was no longer just an "Indian territory" film,
and that it was being shot in Hindi and English,
co-financed by UK concerns and that contact had been made
with major US studios for distribution, etc. It became
clear that the type and level of the film had changed and
it was no longer JUST an Indian film.
Rai
has two US agreements, one with William Morris Agency as
her exclusive Agents and one with Canyon Entertainment for
Management. Both our agreements give us authority on any
and all international projects, including, commercials and
television.
Up
until the last day of negotiations, Rai was set and
totally willing to appear in the Rising. Our instructions
from Rai were very clear.... to close a deal ASAP once all
terms were fair and settled.
see
below a short list of facts
Q:
Would this move of hers affect her career in Bollywood?
A.
I
would think it could to some small degree. But I strongly
feel, from working with Rai for the past year, that she is
and has been one of the most generous and professional
Artist I have ever worked with.....her strength and
character is very inspirational to me.
It
will be a shame if the people in India do not see this
situation from both sides.
I
have seen her bend-over backwards to help friends and
associates, not to mention, total strangers in need. She
has taken on films that have had very small budgets and
currently with Chokher Bali, Rai did the film virtually
for free.
However,
I believe there is a pocket of individuals that target her
NO MATTER what she does. When you raise to her
level in any field, this is bound to happen. So in the
end, I feel those that support Ash, will understand our
position and continue to support her and wish her
well...........and those that wish her bad will continue
to wish her bad. Sometimes people prefer to tear down
someone rather than support them. That I find extremely
sad.
Q:
Is Ash’s rising `demand’ internationally’ got to do
about her ascent in international scene?.
A.
NOT AT ALL........from the start of our association, Rai
has made it clear that India is her home and will always
be her priority. That should a major international project
conflict with an Indian Project of the same merit, Rai
will forfeit the international project. There have already
been 2 such situations and I am positive there will be
many others. Interest in Rai does not just come from
Hollywood, but from the UK and Frence film markets, also.
Rai could most defiantly work 52 weeks a year, if she
wished to do so. But our plan is to try and choose roles
that will best showcase her as an actress with great
worldwide appeal, and hopefully, cut down on her hectic
schedule leaving her with time TO REST and ENJOY
LIFE........
In
every international interview and in each meeting Rai has
had in Hollywood, she has spoken very highly of India, its
people, culture, industry and heart......people there do
not realize the global impact Rai is creating, they should
be proud of her instead of bashing her.
Q:
What are the new projects in the West?
A.
Besides for "Chaos" with Meryl Streep, we have 2
offers on the table currently. But once again, due to
Rai's desire to do an upcoming project with a great Indian
Director in 2004, we have not yet accepted either or both
films, due to scheduling. Not to mention, the 7 meetings
she's having while here in Los Angels completing
"Bride and Prejudice" for Gurinder Chadha.
Deals
fall apart everyday in this Industry.....so why in the
world would people write such hurtful and untrue things -
is beyond me.
Below
is a breakdown of events
 |
Ash
met with the Dir. last NOV 2002 !!!!!
|
|
Dir.
proposed the project story line at which point Rai
requested changes to the character.
|
|
Rising
was a strong story and an important INDIAN (not
international) film.
|
|
Ash
said she would like to get the script, and YES, would
like to do the film.
|
|
No
documents were received until May 14th 2003 - (see
below)
|
|
Ash
signed - that she will participate in the film based
on mutually agreed to terms and conditions.
|
|
A
deposit was sent to hold her dates. (finalized only 3
or 4 weeks ago)
|
|
No
final script was received until 3 or 4 weeks ago -
after numerous requests !!!
|
|
Bobby
Bedi did not answer our (William Morris &
Management) many calls & emails for weeks on end.
|
|
Without
a deal in place and with the lack of contact with Bedi,
we returned his deposit on Oct. 17, 2003.
|
|
Then
when Prince Charles was scheduled to visit the
production Bedi finally calls so Ash will show-up for
his visit. However, WE STILL HAD NO DEAL........and
Ash was away completing "Khakhi
and
could not attend the reception, regardless..........
|
|
As
far as we (manager/agents) were concerned - once the
deposit was returned, no final script in hand, no
final dates, no final cast (British lead actress had
not been cast) and most importantly - THERE WAS NO
BINDING AGREEMENT. We
felt the Rising Had Set !
|
|
In
early November we sent Bedi our requirements for Ash's
services. And YES, Ash's price and international value
have risen significantly in the past year, alone,
making her price higher than a year ago, even a month
ago. And YES, the Rising had now become an
international project, on a totally different level
than in November 2002, when Rai was originally
approached.
|
|
When
Bedi said he had no more up front money for the role -
we offered to accept fees on the back-end for UK/USA
territories. If the film did not make money
internationally, Ash willingly, would receive only her
flat fee. Bedi told me "only Aamir was getting
Back-end". I found this unfair and unacceptable
(especially, based on Rai's international appeal.)
|
|
Bedi
told me that he was having financial troubles for
months with people pulling money out from the project.
On the occasions when I did speak w/ Bedi - his
numbers and information continued to change.
|
|
Bedi
has been using Ash's name connected to the film for
months now - which was fine as long as he had all good
intentions on closing a FAIR DEAL.
|
|
It's
unfair to think one could put us in a tight spot by
finalizing the deal just days before filming, and
threaten to blacken Ash's name saying "how small
the film industry was and how he knows EVERYONE in the
business".........THIS IS CHILDISH !!!!
|
|
Ms
Patel has now been cast and we wish her well.
|
|
Business
is Business and fair is fair. ASH WAS NOT BEING
TREATED FAIRLY. IT'S AS SIMPLE AS THAT !!! |
MAYA
MOVIES PVT. LTD. DOCUMENT
23,
Shah Industrial Estate, off.Veera Desai Road,
Andheri(W), Mumbai-400 053.
Tel. 2673 11 45/46/47/48 Fax. 2673 09 61
Email mayamovies@maya.com
Dated May 14, 2003.
To
Aishwarya
Mumbai.
Dear
Madam,
This
is to put on record that you have agreed to participate in
our project "The Rising" as an artist, playing
the role of Jwala on mutually agreed terms and conditions.
The
film being produced by Maya Movies Pvt. Ltd. is being
directed by Ketan Mehta and stars Aamir Khan in the lead
role.
The
film "The Rising" is scheduled for production
from August 2003 to January 2004.
Kindly
confirm the agreement and oblige.
With
warm regards,
For Maya Movies Pvt.
Ltd. I confirm
Authorised
Signatory.
Aishwarya Rai.
IT'S
A SHAME THAT SO FEW PRESS MEMBERS FELT COMPELLED TO SEEK
THE TRUTH PRIOR TO BLASTING ASH. I DON'T FULLY GRASP THE
REASONING BEHIND SUCH "ONE SIDED" ACTIONS. TO
ME, IT IS TOTALLY UNFAIR TO ASH, THE READERS IN INDIA AND
TO THE RESPECTED INDIAN FILM INDUSTRY.
I
hope this explanation provides you with more clarity.
Simone
Sheffield
Manager to Ms. Rai
Have
something you want to know if it's true or not?
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