Rai Quotes

Once I knew I wasn`t going to be doing Umrao Jaan (2006), I completely disconnected from the film. And I cannot compare myself to Aishwarya Rai.

I have come close to producing films. But generally by the time they hit the screen, there`s about 50 people with producer credits, so what`s the point. I usually find scripts I like with no money attached and take them to producers that I know and try to raise finance.

About Aishwarya Rai: "I really wanted to work with her in _Hitch (2005)_ but she was shooting for Bride and Prejudice (2004) at the time and she couldn`t do it. She has this powerful energy where she doesn`t have to say anything, do anything, she can just stand there. Anything she`s making, I`ll be there." (February 2006)

(Asiana magazine, August 2004, about Aishwarya Rai`s acting) As an actor, I love to transform that magic, to step inside a new role and make it part of my skin, my being. And she, well, she looks the same. She has the same make-up artist for every movie. I wanted to ask her, "Don`t you want to be in something where no one recognizes you?" The whole concept of method acting was like an alien concept, but it does exist. Look at Om Puri, look at Shabana Azmi. Jesus, she`d never even seen a Satyajit Ray movie!

(in Asiana magazine, August 2004, about Aishwarya Rai) She`s always working, if she isn`t acting she`s doing a dance show or singing at some billionaire`s party or attending some gala premiere. I wanted to shake her and scream, "Call this a life? Take a holiday for God`s sake!" But she surrounds herself with yes-men who treat her like a goddess - she`s in a bubble and if she`s happy I guess that`s cool.

About actress Aishwarya Rai: "It was a pleasure working with Aishwarya in The Last Legion (2007), and her fans are in for a big surprise. She is an excellent and outstanding actor. She is a shining example of beauty from India, and I`m sure we will be seeing her in more Hollywood movies real soon " (August, 2006)

On his infamous kiss with Aishwarya Rai in Dhoom 2 (2006): "I did give it a lot of thought. There was enough reason and inspiration here to go ahead. I tried to make it as beautiful as possible. And I stand by it completely." (April 2007)

On Replacing Aishwarya Rai in Chalte Chalte (2003): As a matter of fact, and I have said this before, I was the original choice for this role. Shah Rukh spoke to me about the film during Asoka. I didn`t have dates, so Ash replaced me. When she couldn`t do the film for whatever reason, Shah Rukh asked me to do it. I love Aamir and Shah Rukh in a different way. When Shah Rukh asks, I can`t say no.

On her character in The Rising (2005): "See, my role started as a cameo. I was supposed to play the widow Jwala`s character - yes, the one Aishwarya Rai was supposed to have done. Now Amisha Patel is doing that. When I read the script, I fell in love with the small role of the prostitute. There were two or three very good scenes. The script underwent a change, and I got more space than before. But it`s still a cameo - nothing like what Smita Patil did with Ketan Mehta in Mirch Masala, though I wish had."

(Rai made her English-language debut and gained international media attention with the February release of) Bride & Prejudice, ... Bend It Like Beckham.