Abhishek proposes to Aishwarya under water

It has literally been a case of jumping from the fire into the water for Aishwarya Bachchan. If fire is a recurrent motif in the cinema of Sanjay Leela Bhansali, water seems to be Mani Ratnam"s favourite element.

According to members of the Raavan cast, more than 80 percent of the film has been shot in, under, around or below the rain and in the forests, rendering Raavan the most hydro-centric film in the history of Indian cinema.

Says a member of the cast, “We were drenched to our skin constantly. Abhishek and Aishwarya were talking, dancing, singing and reciting poetry in the water." Abhishek"s character being an outlaw, even proposes to Aishwarya in water.

According to a source, there comes a point in the plot where the cop"s wife begins to get attracted to the outlaw who had kidnapped her. He proposes to her, circling in the water instead of the holy fire while Aishwarya stands on the river bank. Says the cast member, “It was almost like the two were getting married by taking their vows through the holy water rather than the fire."

More seriously affected by this extreme circle of fire and water created by her two favourite directors is Aishwarya Bachchan. She was heard telling a friend that she has virtually gone through an ordeal by fire and water.

In fact Abhishek and Aishwarya have worked so extensively in the water for Raavan that they don"t wish to do even a rain song in the near future.