Abhi-Ash to attend Oscars?

Bollywood's star couple Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai, who are currently in Los Angeles for a holiday, will be attending the 83rd Annual Academy Awards Sunday, according to megastar Amitabh Bachchan.

"Ya, Abhishek and Aishwarya have been invited by the Academy to attend the Oscars on Sunday … so … (sic)," Amitabh posted on his blog www.bigb.bigadda.com.

Amitabh spilled the duo's plans while sharing how American actor Warren Beatty met Abhishek at an LA store for fittings.

"Oh! And incidentally they were getting fitted at a clothes store, for the Oscars Award ceremony for Sunday - Warren and Abhishek!," added Amitabh.

Abhishek, who had been busy with the shooting of Players in New Zealand, is in LA for a break with his wife Aishwarya. The couple will also be meeting once Oscar-nominated filmmaker Ashutosh Gowariker, who is also expected to attend the prestigious ceremony.

These apart, music composer AR Rahman, who has been nominated for two categories at the Oscar this year, will be attending the event too.

Rahman, who won two Oscars for his work in the 2009 movie Slumdog Millionaire, is vying for the golden statuette for the original score of Danny Boyle's 127 Hours as well as original song If I Rise from the same movie, this year. Rahman will also be performing the song at the ceremony.

Meanwhile, the Bollywood fraternity is pinning hopes that the Mozart of Madras brings back the trophies this year too.

India-born British film editor Tariq Anwar is also in the Oscar race with a nomination for his work in the hugely popular historical drama The King's Speech.

Source: Hindustan Times

Aishwarya Rai once again on Vogue cover

Bollywood diva Aishwarya Rai has made it to the cover of Vogue for the third time, sporting an all black feathered look. The magazine carries interesting tidbits on the former beauty queen from 10 men who know her well.

The magazine has spoken to people including Ash's husband Abhishek Bachchan, designer Manish Malhotra, director Ashutosh Gowariker and ace make-up artist Mickey Contractor, said a statement.

Abhishek shared the memories of his first meeting with Ash saying: "The first time I met Aishwarya was in August 1997. I was on a recce for my father's film 'Mrityudata' in Switzerland and she was shooting her first film 'Aur Pyar Ho Gaya' with my dear friend Bobby Deol. I remember one evening Bobby invited me over to his hotel for dinner and Aishwarya and the rest of the unit were there. That was the first time I actually met her."

"If you ask her, she will tell you the same thing - that the minute we came together, we both knew that this was something for keeps. So, there wasn't just this 'one' defining moment, it always felt perfect," he added.

Others too have shared similar interesting episodes related to the beauty queen.

Anaita Shroff Adajania, the fashion director for Vogue India magazine, has styled her for the shoot.

L'Oreal clears air on Aishwarya Rai -replacement

Cosmetic major L'Oreal Paris on Saturday said reports on actor Aishwarya Rai Bachchan being replaced as the face of L'Oreal Paris due to her not being a part of their New Year commercial, are 'untrue'.

"We are shocked and surprised to read in some sections of the media/press about Ms. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan being replaced as the face of L'Oreal Paris," said an official statement on Saturday.

"L'Oreal Paris strongly reiterates that this is absolutely untrue and that Ms. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan continues to be our valued spokesperson, as she has since 2000. While she remains an integral part of the L'Oreal Paris world wide Dream Team, she was unfortunately unavailable for our New Year commercial shoot due to prior commitments."

"She is one of the most iconic women of our times and is certainly the face of L'Oreal Paris internationally and in India for a range of products which include campaigns for Total Repair 5, Excellence Crème, Color Riche, Hydrafresh," read the statement.

According to reports, Ash was replaced by 'Slumdog Millionaire' actor Freida Pinto after the former Miss World refused to be a part of L'Oreal's 'Happy New Year 2011' campaign.