Aishwarya Rai faces a barrage of questions

Questions flew fast and furious at Aishwarya Rai, as the Longines brand ambassador launched the new Admiral watch at a fashion show and presentation at the ITC Grand Central in Parel yesterday.

The nation's most famous bahu made all the correct noises about the association of Longines with elegance and then took questions, answering most with the trademark Ash charm. She even ribbed journalists when they rolled two and three questions in one saying: "Tricky. The girls are being very clever with their questions these days."

A question about hubby Abhishek and John Abraham's kiss in Dostana was dismissed by Ash with a counter question, "Did you like the movie?" she asked the journalist who asked her what she thought about it. When he said yes, she said, "Well, then, that is all there is to it."

Ash said that the "fun and fantastic" Dostana, "Was offered to me initially. It would be the first film after my marriage. But, I turned down Karan (Johar) because, we wondered whether the audience would expect a love story between me and Abhishek and finally she goes off with the other guy..."

Laughing at the next question of what her New Year plans are going to be, 'Right, as if I am going to tell you," she told the journalists that, "It would be the little window of time, Abhishek and I have together since we are working so much right now."

On a question about her getting only a minuscule amount of publicity in the Pink Panther promotions, Ash admitted she had been inundated with questions about that one, saying. "Thanks for your support and patriotism but I have never questioned or dictated about how I am projected in a promo. That is because I am innately secure and confident. I simply loved doing the role in Pink Panther."

A few questions later, Ash posed willingly for the photographers and then, with a wave of her hand, Ash, the consummate professional was gone, trailed by a phalanx of photographers and exploding flash bulbs. The actor who spoke about her "happy" nearly one-year-old marriage looked so much at ease in front of the cameras she has been wedded to for 12 years now.