THROWBACK: 'If I'D Done Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, I Would Have Been Lynched'- Aishwarya Rai

The Reason Why She Turned Down Kuch Kuch Hota Hai

"As far as Kuch Kuch Hota Hai goes, Karan Johar did approach me, but the dates he needed were committed to the RK film. Moreover, Kuch Kuch... belonged to Kajol. No two ways about that. Having said that, let me add that Rani Mukherjee did a terrific job.

I'm in a Catch-22 situation really. Though I'm a newcomer, I'm compared with all the senior actresses. So if I'd done Kuch Kuch..., it would have been tittered that, "Look, Aishwarya Rai is back to doing what she did in her modelling days - leaving her hair straight, wearing minis, and pouting glamorously into the camera." Ultimately, the hero goes back to the more real person. I know if I'd done Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, I would have been lynched."

Yash Chopra Was Upset With Ash When She Refused To Do Hum Saath Saath Hai

Talking about it, Ash had said, "Yashji (Chopra) was upset that I didn't do Sooraj's film. He says a hit is a hit is a hit. Believe me, it was humanly impossible for me to do it. There are only so many days in a year and only so many hours that I can put in. I know for a fact that some heroines actually cried when they weren't approached for Sooraj Barjatya's film. Sooraj understood my dilemma. He praised me for my professionalism, he said that we'd definitely work together in his next film. (laughs) A solo film, he assured me."

'If I’m Blessed With Good Looks, So Be It'

When asked if her va-va-voom looks worked against her as an actress, she had said, "Look, I can't fight the looks I've been born with. If I'm blessed with good looks, so be it. But for Pete's sake, don't knock my hard work, my professionalism. I'm only three-films-old. I haven't given any of my directors any reason to complain."

'Everyone Will Have To Live With The Fact That I Am Aishwarya Rai'

Ash further added, "Every heroine has her position, her fan following. You know at times I do indulge in a bit of pop psychology. I feel okay, some of the heroines have a right to feel bad and say, "So, here's this Jill-come-lately who thinks no end of herself just because she won the title of Miss World." (In an injured tone) I don't mean to be condescending at all but the fact is that I was a known face even before I joined the movies. I have an international honour to my credit. I don't mean to be patronising but the truth is that everyone will have to live with the fact that I'm Aishwarya Rai. I'm not fighting my genes, my good fortune or my own achievements. Perhaps the fact that I got top projects... because top film-makers wanted to work with me... must have annoyed some of the heroines. Some heroines find their place in the sun after 30 films. Some heroines have to stick around for nine to ten years before film-makers of substance give them an opportunity. So somewhere, there must be quite a lot of resentment against me."

'I Don't Need To Bat My Eyelashes At Any Hero'

When quizzed about being showered with male attention and relationships, she had said, "I don't play up to anyone. And I'm certainly not a tease. I don't need to bat my eyelashes at any hero. I relate to men almost in an asexual manner. I've never been violently attracted to a guy at first sight. firmly believe that I can never fall in love instantly. I need to know a guy over a period of time to get serious. Relationships can get emotionally exhausting. I know when I'm in love, I'll give it my all. I can't get into a frivolous relationship or a fly-by-night-affair. I'm not mentally attuned to all that. Today, many may not give a damn about sex. But I do. The emotional aspect is so much more important. My values are proper and middle-class. And I'm proud of them."

'I Have Never Gone On A Magazine Rampage'

"Certain stars and actors deserve every bit of the publicity they get. They're worth it. But there are those who don't have much to write home about and yet make it to magazine covers by virtue of being rent-a-quote-wunderkinds. Then there are those who get an image overhaul overnight. Why? Because they happen to be successful. The actor or actress could be obnoxious, brattish, debauched, insensitive. But if you're successful, the media glosses over that. And of course, the press does tend to go on and on about certain topics. Like Manisha and me. Or about Sushmita Sen and me. Goodness gracious, Sush is a lovely girl doing her own thing. I would never undermine her achievements or resent anything about her. Still, it's made out as if we're clawing each other like wild cats. Nothing could be further from the truth. I have never gone on a magazine rampage. Actually I'm the one who should have since my films didn't do well. I should have rushed into photo-sessions left, right and centre. I don't feel the need to really.(Laughs). One hit and everything will fall into place."