Aishwarya Rai

Talented actress Vidya Balan has completely dismissed rumours of a rift with Aishwarya Rai during the making of Mani Ratnam’s Guru.

“By now i’m used to all kinds of rumours. But this one truly takes the cake. i can’t say we got along like a house on fire simply because we didn’t have many scenes together. But whenever we worked together, Aishwarya was a dream co-star. She is an absolute delight to work with and is someone i look up to.”

Vidya is quick to laugh off reports that Aishwarya was responsible for her rather short role in the film.

“To even suggest that she had my role cut is so ridiculous. i was aware of the extent of my role from the start. i did Guru for the pleasure of working with Mani. There are moments in the film where Aishwarya needed to reach out to me emotionally. She did it so naturally and spontaneously that she won me over.”

What about stories that Vidya didn’t attend the premiere of Guru in Canada because of Aishwarya?

“This is too much,” giggles Vidya.

“i wonder who’s spreading such nonsense and for what purpose! i was in Australia shooting for Sajid Khan’s Hey Baby on January 10. The premiere of Guru in Canada was on January 12. There was no way i could reach there and get back to my shooting without disrupting Sajid’s schedule. i wouldn’t do this to anyone, least of all to Sajid Khan who’s a first-time director and a dear friend.”

She takes a deep breath and adds: “i hope this puts to rest all these silly speculations about Aishwarya’s role in my life. She’s way above all this petty politics. Her dignity in the face of adversity is exemplary. if i can possess even a fraction of her poise i’d consider myself lucky.”