After a gap of four years, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan will be returning to the big screen with Ponniyin Selvan: I. Directed by Mani Ratnam, the ensemble cast film was shot across South India. Aishwarya, who plays the role of Nandini in PS: 1, would often have a special guest on the sets of the film. Her daughter Aaradhya Bachchan would mark her presence with Abhishek Bachchan to cheer for her mother.
During a promotional event in Mumbai, Aishwarya narrated an incident that left Aaradhya excited and mesmerised. The actress revealed Mani Ratnam gave the 10-year-old a chance to say action on PS: 1's set. "At the time she was enthralled. Seeing a period drama is always exciting. And she did get the opportunity to visit on set. It was mesmerising (for her) and I could see that in her eyes. But I think my admiration for working with him (Mani Ratnam)...she respects him, she is in awe of him. And, I think what excited her the most was when one day she came on the set, he gave her the opportunity to say 'action'," Aishwarya revealed.
She further added, "She could not get over that. She was like 'aah, sir gave me that opportunity'. I don't think any of us had that opportunity. That's probably THE most cherished memory for her. She values it already and with growing years more so."
Ponniyin Selvan: I also stars Trisha, Vikram, Jayam Ravi, Karthi, Aishwarya Lekshmi, Sobhita Dhulipala and Prakash Raj. It is the cinematic adaptation of Kalki’s evergreen Tamil novel that was serialised in the 1950s. Lyca Productions presents PS: 1 and is jointly produced by Madras Talkies and Lyca Productions, directed by Mani Ratnam, and music composed by AR Rahman. PS: 1 is slated for a worldwide release on September 30, 2022, in Tamil, Hindi, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam.
(Source: Instagram)
