(NSI News Source Info) February 3, 2009: But even they must not have been prepared for Aishwarya Bachchan’s response when they conferred their prestigious Officer Dan Ordre Des Arts Et Des Lettres honour on the pretty Bollywood actress.
“Thank-you, but not now,” is what Ash is reported to have told the French government when its second highest civilian award was announced in her name. Incidentally, this honour has been conferred earlier on Hollywood actors Meryl Streep and Robert Redford.
And, on Shah Rukh Khan as well. There’s only one higher French civilan honour — the Legion d’honour which father-in-law Amitabh Bachchan, Satyajit Ray and Pandit Ravi Shankar have received.
However, Ash was not turning down the French award. She was just putting it off until her ailing father, Krishna Raj Rai, was well enough to attend the award ceremony. “I wanted my entire family — and that includes my parents, brother, sister-in-law, my husband and his parents, sister and brother-in-law — to be there. My father has been unwell and I wanted him to be there at this important moment,” said Ash.
And, on Shah Rukh Khan as well. There’s only one higher French civilan honour — the Legion d’honour which father-in-law Amitabh Bachchan, Satyajit Ray and Pandit Ravi Shankar have received.However, Ash was not turning down the French award. She was just putting it off until her ailing father, Krishna Raj Rai, was well enough to attend the award ceremony. “I wanted my entire family — and that includes my parents, brother, sister-in-law, my husband and his parents, sister and brother-in-law — to be there. My father has been unwell and I wanted him to be there at this important moment,” said Ash.
“It will be a glorious moment. But not without my father!” Now that Krishna is well enough, Ash has asked the French government to go ahead with the ceremony. It is likely to be held in Paris when the actress attends the world premiere of her film, Pink Panther 2. “My father will have to brave the long flight. There’s a long list of dos and don’ts for him. But worth it, don’t you think,”Ash said.
Katrina says, “My role in Rajniti has different shades – I start off in a particular way and end up as a completely changed character. The character is immensely challenging and it is a huge responsibility to carry it off. I am very excited to work with Prakash Jha, who is known for his particular brand of cinema and believes in involving himself in every department of his films. I’ll soon be leaving for Bhopal to shoot for the film, where I have scenes with a crowd of around 500 people and I am gearing up for it.”
Shetty and Kundra, a UK-based entrepreneur, are reportedly set to invest $ 15.4 million in the team, which is led by Australian spin legend Shane Warne and has international stars like South African skipper Graeme Smith and Aussie all-rounder Shane Watson in its fold.
