The Saint Or Sinner?

Some say she is the adarsh bharatiya nari, but others think she is cool and calculative. As the actress turns 36, let’s find out what the real Ash is like…

From being the most beautiful woman in the world to being the perfect bahu and daughter, Aishwarya has many different facets to her character. But while most people are more than happy to sing her praises, there are plenty who think she is calculative, manipulative and over-ambitious. So is she an angle or a devil… you decide!

The Doting Wife
Abhishek says: “Ash and I are best friends and we are always talking to each other. The best thing is she looks so beautiful even when she wakes up. I am really glad that she and my mum get along so well. I must admit I was a bit apprehensive pre-marriage.”

Director’s Delight
Her Jodhaa Akbar director risked the ire of the entire industry when at the IIFA awards this year, he said: “Priyanka, you are a very hardworking actress, but I was just discussing with Jayaji why Aishwarya did not get the Best Actress Award.”
“Priyanka is a very good actress but I was wondering why Ash was ignored at IIFA,” he added.

Dad-In-Law’s Pet
When Abhishek decided to marry Ash, Amitabh was thrilled. “She’s a simple, traditional and a home-loving individual, warm and endearing. Her inner beauty is far greater than her much-renowned outer beauty.” On the relation between Big B and Ash, Jaya said: “Amitji just lights up seeing her. I think she has filled up the void that was created after Shweta got married.”

Mum-In-Law’s Bestie
Abhishek has said: “Ash calls up mum more times in a day than I do.” Jaya adores her too! “I have never seen her push herself whenever we are all together. I like that quality of hers to stand behind. She is quiet. She listens and she is taking it all in. And another beautiful thing is that she has fitted in so well with the family.”

Competitor’s Pride
Sushmita Sen, who started in the industry at the same time as Ash said: “I am proud of Aishwarya. She has given every Indian a reason to be proud of. I have never compared myself with Ash.”

Lover’s Nightmare
After their break-up, in a 2002 interview to an Indian daily, Ash said that Salman abused her but thankfully did not leave her with any marks. Salman, who had remained tight-lipped about the issue, said in a recent interview: “Obviously in a fight, I am going to be angry. I will want to give a whack my best shot. I don’t think that she would have survived it. So no, it’s not true.”

The Scheming Co-Star
Ash and Abhi had been working together for a long time, time, but when Ash saw that things were brewing between Rani and Abhishek, she immediately stepped in and turned the wind in her favour. She just couldn’t let go of the chance to become the Bachchan bahu, so since then heartbroken Rani has been grappling with her career.

A Manipulative Girlfriend
Ex-boyfriend Vivek Oberoi said on the show Tere Mere Beach Mein, it was Ash who egged him to hold a press conference to tell the world that Salman was threatening him. Since that day Vivek became an untouchable in the industry and his career took a downturn. He said: “She told me, ‘tum bahut immature ho’. Apne industry mein ek dastoor hai – jaise Tupperware jahan plastic ke dabbe bante hain…usse zyada plastic hamare yahan hai. Plastic smile, plastic heart… plastic everything!” That was a candid confession there.

The Haunting Ex
Recently at the Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani media meeting when Katrina was asked to wish Ash happy birthday on camera, she refused and said: “Ranbir has done it.” She then rushed off to the vanity van visibly angry. Salman and Ash broke up more than seven years back but his current girlfriend still can’t stand his ex’s name. Interesting!

Ash: The Arrogant Senior
Sonam never realised what she had done when she said at a press conference that she would walk the red carpet at Cannes with Ash as a beauty brand ambassador. Sonam, who always admired Ash, was shocked to find out that Ash had put her foot down and the brand had promptly dropped the younger actress from the red carpet. A source said: “Sonam cannot understand why Ash is so upset with her and is talking ill about her everywhere.”