Aishwarya hid her pregnancy: Madhur Bhandarkar

Actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan's pregnancy made a big news in the entire world, but then followed the huge discussion on Madhur Bhandarkar's ambitious project Heroine, of which the actress was a part. The film was recently shelved as soon as the makers learnt that the lead actress was five months pregnant. While the entire world chose to discuss the issues (the pregnancy clause before signing an actress) Bhandarkar upset with Aishwarya chose to remain silent. But finally he breaks the ice.

Bhandarkar sitting alone in his office after his most ambitious project has been pulled off, expresses his respect for women who choose to live the life of pious motherhood. “I would never knowingly put a woman in harm's way knowing the delicate nature of her health. The lead actress is the main protagonist of Heroine. We need to state this is no normal film. The film entails a huge canvas of around 40 locations in which heavy-duty scenes involving massive crowds are to be shot.

Scenes of the actress being mobbed... adult content... heavy-duty scenes involving physical exertion. One of the days amongst the eight days shoot... one of my associate directors tripped and injured himself... the terrain was rocky. Today, when I know the condition of my then lead actress, I shudder at the thought... what if she would have been injured; I would have suffered a major guilt throughout my life," explains Madhur to Mid Day.

The director also reasoned that the lead actress of Heroine was required to smoke. Even if she refuses to do so, there will be other actors smoking in the same frame, thus making her a victim of passive smoking. This will prove detrimental to a pregnant woman's health. Madhur told that this entire risk would not have taken place if Aishwarya would have informed about the impending maternity.

“The truth was hidden from us. We learnt about it from news channels like the rest of the world. Filmmaking functions on faith and trust. The film was announced in Cannes on May 13 while we commenced shooting on June 7. There was a gap of 24 days, if we had known the truth things could have been reworked. This decision of pulling the plug had a devastating effect on me. I was in shock and depression. I could not come to the office for eight days for the fear of facing those people whose bread and butter depended on the film," reveals the talented director.

The producers of Heroine made a collective decision to pull off the plug. The director was in a shock, therefore he chose to be silent. “Now am coerced into breaking my silence, as I realise that truth deserves to be told," he concludes.