Aishwarya Rai's 2013 comeback: Will Ranbir and Katrina be her co-stars?

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan inaugurating Kalyan jewellers showroom. (Facebook)

Published Tuesday, December 25, 2012

By Ajanta Paul

Read enough about actress Aishwarya Rai's comeback? Wait till you hear what's actually being hatched in Bollywood.

Filmmaker Karan Johar has been planning a period drama and as his leading lady he wants none other than Aishwarya Rai Bachchan.

It’s been a couple of years since Aishwarya Rai Bachchan was last seen on the big screen opposite Hrithik Roshan in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's 'Guzaarish' in 2010.

A break due to pregnancy and later her maternal instinct took over, but now there's restlessness among fans and Bollywood fraternity to see this actress back in action.

News has been doing the rounds that Karan Johar's multi-starrer period drama will be a casting coup of sorts.

Karan Johar has often managed to bring together big names in the industry for his movies like 'Kuch Kuch Hota Hai', 'Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham', 'Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna'.

From what we’ve heard, Karan is gunning for Ranbir Kapoor as the hero. And wait till you hear the next name in his wish list.

The sprawling period piece with a massive ensemble cast plans to bring in Ranbir's rumoured girlfriend Katrina Kaif.

Now you understand why we are making such a big deal of this cast? If not, read on.

Aishwarya Rai and Katrina Kaif, regarded as the most beautiful women in Indian cinema, aren’t too fond of each other. In fact, their cold war has fuelled numerous reports in Indian tabloids.

And the reason why the two ladies share such cold vibes - Salman Khan.

At some point or the other, Aishwarya and Katrina both dated Salman Khan. Ash had a pretty bitter separation from the actor, whereas Katrina's stand is really baffling. We know for sure they are not lovers anymore but Katrina never misses an opportunity to show the world that she is Salman's closest female friend.

Salman has also been Katrina's benefactor for long, guiding her with her choice of movies.

Ranbir and Katrina on the other hand had a romantic history but after a short break their romance re-ignited with odd hourly visits to each other's abode.

Speaking to Emirates24/7 Ranbir tried to dismiss his link-up with Katrina, “I am not dating anybody and if I was dating somebody I would be open about it. There’s no reason why I wouldn’t. But now I am just concentrating on my work.”

But his late night escapades tell a different story.

When asked if he would like to work with Aishwarya, Ranbir said, "She is senior to me in the industry, but if anything comes up that suits the bill I would definitely work with her."

So with Karan Johar's intention to cast Ranbir, Katrina and Aishwarya the controversy loving press automatically raised their eyebrows and smiled gleefully.

Ash and Katrina has been avoiding each other for long even after being in the same industry. When they finally came face to face on the set of 'Dhoom 3', the two actresses refused to exchange pleasantries.

Ash's husband Abhishek Bachchan was filming for 'Dhoom 3' in Chicago and when the wife went to pay him a visit, she bumped into Katrina. The two actresses blatantly ignored each other.

It’s hard to imagine that both actresses will agree to work in the film, given that they have several common scenes which they will need to shoot together.

As for Ranbir and Katrina, this will be their third film together after 'Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani' in 2009 and 'Raajneeti' in 2010.

Karan's script also requires a thrid A-list actress but the director is still scratching his head over a suitable name.

Wonder if Karan manages to pull off this casting coup what will it be like in the set of his period drama - bigger drama what else.

So, let the play begin!