Hrithik Roshan in Guzaarish - Photo

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EXCLUSIVE WATCH: Guzaarish - Theatrical Trailer

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"Aishwarya is my muse"

Director Sanjay Leela Bhansali is back with 'Guzaarish'. And he has once again teamed up with Aishwarya Rai in the film and says she is his muse. He also describes her as one of B'wood's timeless actresses.

"Aishwarya is my muse, my jaan and I get terribly excited when I make a film with her because she is very, very special. Some people are timeless and Aishwarya will be there for another 20 years," Bhansali told reporters today (September 23) at Cinemax in Mumbai, where the first look of 'Guzaarish' was unveiled.

This is Bhansali's third film with Aishwarya after 'Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam' (1999) and 'Devdas' (2002).

Aishwarya said: "This was a very special film for us. We are glad to share this special piece of work with you before we reveal it to the rest of the world."

The director was also all praise for his male lead Hrithik Roshan.

"I have never enjoyed working with any other actor as much as I have enjoyed working with Hrithik, just for the kind of talent he has, for the kind of person he is," said Bhansali.

In the film Hrithik Roshan will be seen as a magician, while Aishwarya Rai plays a nurse who is estranged from her husband. The film will reportedly touch on the issue of controversial mercy killings.

Bhansali has even composed music for the film as he couldn't rely upon anyone to get the right effect. There are eight songs in the film and 12 songs in the album.

"The reason behind doing the music of the film is that I think I understand the characters and understand most what they would express musically than any other music director. Some deep thoughts are my concern, so whatever little music I knew, it was a sort of experiment. But I am happy with what I have done," said Bhansali.

Jointly produced by UTV Blink and Sanjay Leela Bhansali, the film hits theatres November 19.

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Smoking Ash

Concern over a scene in the Guzaarish trailer showing actress puffing away is why you won't see the promo with We Are Family

The first trailer of Guzaarish was supposed to go out with prints of Karan Johar's We Are Family and the former's director Sanjay Leela Bhansali was very pleased with the arrangement. KJo and SLB are friends, after all.

But now, one hears that the trailer has been withdrawn from We Are Family and will feature in theatres a month later with Siddharth Anand's Anjaana Anjaani.

The official reason given for the postponement of the Guzaarish trailer is the time factor. Official sources say there's still quite some time before Guzaarish releases. However the real story is that there are some concerns over a sequence showing Aishwarya Rai Bachchan puffing away frantically at a cigarette in the trailer.

While smoking is not entirely prohibited in our films, it is certainly seen to be injurious to health, especially since the one smoking on screen is a global icon playing a nurse. Says a source close to the film, "Aishwarya is not really smoking in Guzaarish. It's a very cute, funny and a very beautiful sequence where she is trying to smoke when she doesn't know how to."

Irrespective of its context it's been decided that that the sequence will be shown to a focus group to see how it is received. Says the source, "Agreed, Aishwarya has never been shown smoking on screen. But it's not a sequence propagating smoking. Everyone who has seen it so far has reacted very positively to it."

Siddharth Roy Kapoor of UTV (co-producers and distributors of Guzaarish) adds, "There are a lot of smoking scenes in a lot of movies. I really don't see any trouble."

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Sanjay wants to stuff Hrithik

Usually stars are asked to lose weight for their roles but in a rare instance, Hrithik has to pile on the pounds for his next film. Sanjay Leela Bhansali has asked Hrithik to lose his fit and lean physique and pile on the pounds for his role of a paraplegic in Guzaarish

SLB is a taskmaster and pays attention to detail. Hrithik plays a paraplegic in Guzaarish. Since he is bound to a wheelchair, his character cannot look lean and flaunt toned muscles. Thus, SLB has clearly instructed Hrithik to gain weight on his stomach and waist, along with moving around in a wheelchair.

Hrithik is dedicated to his craft and is a perfectionist himself. He had no qualms about skipping the gym and gaining weight for Guzaarish. For all his previous roles, Hrithik has had to undergo specialized training and work extra hard at the gym. In Krishh, Jodhaa Akbar and Dhoom 2, he had to show off a chiseled and pumped up physique but Guzaarish is the first film where he hasn’t had to bother about his physique. His training for the film revolves around living in a wheelchair, not working out and letting his hair and beard grow wild. He cannot look like his normal, well-groomed and dapper self. Hrithik is also meeting paraplegics and reading books on them to grasp the finer nuances of their lives.

Hrithik loves working out, with weight training being his favourite. He has put his favourite pastime on the backburner for Guzaarish, which he is very excited about. He only goes to the gym for a few minutes and unlike other people, he hasn’t become restless in spite of skipping his workouts.

In the recent past, Aishwarya Rai gained almost 10 kilos for Gurinder Chadha’s Bride and Prejudice and Abhishek Bachchan plumped himself up for Mani Ratnam’s Guru. Shabana Azmi is gaining weight for Gurinder Chadha’s next film It's A Wonderful Life and Kareena Kapoor shed her size zero frame opting for a healthier and curvier look in Main Aurr Mrs. Khanna.

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Kat didn’t replace me: Ash

Some have written her off, some say her crown is under threat. But Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is oblivious to such comments.

With her trademark smile in place, the graceful Bachchan bahu set about business, charming one and all during her recent trip to the city. The actor glowed despite reports of suffering from swine flu. “As the head of the house, Pa voiced his concerns on his blog about my health. He said I had flu like symptoms. Soon, word spread that I had swine flu!” said Ash when questioned about her health. But like everything else, these rumours too were put to rest. “Pa had to then clarify that it was just a normal flu,” said Ash while accepting that the Big B’s blog is indeed quite a ‘hit’. “For me it was Pa blogging because he was concerned and away from home at that time. But for others, it was like a confirmation of sorts that Amitabh Bachchan says Ash has the swine flu!”

Apart from shooting for Raavan, Endhiran, Guzaarish and Action Replay, Ash also has other professional commitments to honour which takes up a lot of her time. But hey, she’s not complaining. After all, she is the face of some of the most popular brands across the world. “I’ve always been very selective about the brands I endorse. There’s no rat race. Every endorsement has a story behind it. The bottomline is, I don’t like endorsing brands which are anywhere and everywhere,” explains Ash.

And what about rumours of a jewellery brand dropping her for Katrina Kaif? “I would like to say this loud and clear; I chose not to renew my contract with the jewellery brand,” affirms the actor setting the record straight. “I had a contract with another brand under which that particular jewellers came. Once they parted ways, I decided not to endorse them anymore,” she goes on to explain.

Taking the opportunity to put to rest the talk about her being dropped by other brands due to her age, Ash said, “No one every dropped me. I chose not to renew certain contracts. Like the one with the cola brand. Post marriage I decided not to endorse them anymore as Pa and Abhishek were endorsing the rival cola brand. I didn’t want any confusion in the consumer’s mind,” she quipped .

With film and endorsement offers pouring in, Ash is indeed a busy woman just like she was a few years ago. Unlike others, marriage doesn’t seem to have slowed her down. “Earlier, it was tough for a heroine to get work after marriage. Their so-called brand value would depreciate. That didn’t happen with me, as I've always aspired to push the envelope,” she explains.

But she does not take the credit for this alone. “I have to thank the professionals I’ve worked with. They were not regressive and changed with times,” she says. And unlike other contemporaries, Ash always seems pretty secure and confident of her career. “And why not?” she asks going on to add that, “Throughout my career I’ve never said things like, ‘I’m not ready for marriage now’, or ‘marriage will happen only after five or six years’. When I was ready for marriage, everybody knew. I’ve never given escapist quotes.”
But now that she is married into the first family of Bollywood, doesn’t she want to take it slow? “I have a secret pride, you know. I’ve always wanted to work after marriage and I couldn’t see why that should change after I tied the knot,” says Ash, while adding immediately, “Don’t misunderstand me. I’m not a hardcore feminist. I’m a humanist.”

The down-to-earth superstar rewinds, “I’ve had a long and wonderful journey. My photographer friends and others have pointed out that I have improved over the years.” But that did not come easy. “Earlier when a girl signed a film opposite a certain hero, it made big news. But I was not satisfied with just that, I wanted more. There were times when I signed a film and it turned out to be something else. I then brought it something different and new to the industry that protected the rights of the heroine like the MOUs and other contractual changes.”

Ask her if any of it was tough and she says, “Well I’ve constantly learnt and improved as an actor. My efforts have definitely made things a lot easier for my ilk.”

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Vivek meets Hrithik, avoids Ash

Prefers to bond with just one friend from the past

Sanjay Leela Bhansali is shooting for his film “Guzaarish” at Mehboob Studios in Bandra. The movie stars Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai.

Last week Vivek Oberoi too happened to at the same studio for a photo shoot.

After pack up, Vivek came to know that his good friend Hrithik was shooting nearby.

Vivek is extremely fond of Hrithik as they are both from Juhu and have grown up together. So he was keen to meet up with Hrithik. However, he was a little apprehensive not knowing if former girlfriend Aishwarya was around or not.

Once he ensured that Ash was nowhere around her went over and bonded with his childhood pal.

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Hrithik Roshan offers help to paraplegics

They have left a deep impact on his mind

Bollywood star Hrithik Roshan was so moved after meeting people affected with paraplegia while researching for his role in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's "Guzaarish" that he has decided to help them in whatever way he can.

Hrithik is playing a paraplegic in "Guzaarish" and met patients to be able to get under the skin of his character. While meetings the patients helped him understand his character better, it also left a deep impact on his mind.

"Hrithik is taking his role very seriously and has been reading a lot on paraplegia and watching videos to understand and study their mannerisms and behaviour. In fact, he even visited several people affected by the disease to get a firsthand account of their experiences," said a source close to the actor.

"The intensive study and frequent interactions with people suffering from the disorder have moved Hrithik to a great extent. He came across some young, talented people who were left incapacitated due to paraplegia and he immediately decided to do his bit to help them," added the source.

Aishwarya Rai is playing female lead in the film.

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Ash, it's not swine flu!

Aishwarya Rai is unwell but contrary to rumours, she isn’t suffering from swine flu. In fact, she has a chest infection.

Mumbai Mirror had reported on Saturday that she has been shooting for Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Guzaarish despite her ill-health.

But Aishwarya’s condition worsened and she has now been advised complete rest because of which she requested Bhansali to give her two days off from the shoot of his forthcoming film, Guzaarish, in which she stars opposite Hrithik Roshan.

The director readily granted her leave even though she was scheduled to shoot on Monday and Tuesday at Mehboob Studio. Aishwarya is currently under medication and is resting at home.

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Hrithik happy Ash is away

Hrithik Roshan who has been working hard for Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Guzaarish is finally getting a breather.

The actor has been strenuously preparing himself as a paraplegic for Bhansali’s Guzaarish, so much so that he has been roaming around in his house on a wheelchair. With shooting just about to begin the news of Aishwarya suffering from flu-like symptoms has put the shooting on hold. Big B had earlier blogged that Aish has indeed been under the weather with a chest infection and flu.

A source close to the actor said, “Hrithik has been training hard indeed, straight after he wrapped up Kites, he dived headfirst into Bhansali’s Guzaarish. He hasn’t had enough time to spend with his family and with the news of Aishwarya being ill, he finally has some time for himself. Along with preparing for his role in the film he’s trying to spend some quality time with his family and with the film being delayed now no one knows when things will start rolling again, it all depends on Aish's recovery.”

Let's just hope Aish isn't suffering from the deadly swine flu, then there would be a lot other things Bhansali would have to worry about rather than just the delay of the film.

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Hrithik's sensitive side

Few people know that Hrithik Roshan is extremely soft hearted, sensitive and generous as a person.

The actor who has been supporting several causes recently had a life-changing experience while preparing for his role in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Guzaarish.

Hrithik is playing a paraplegic in the film. “The sensitive person that he is, the intensive study and frequent interactions with persons suffering from the disorder has moved Hrithik to a great extent. Pledging his solidarity to the cause, Hrithik has decided to help the affected persons monetarily as well as through any other means possible,” says a source. Now here’s an actor who listens to his heart.

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Ash saves Hrithik a date!

Aishwarya was down with fever and could have done with a day off. But out of consideration for co-star Hrithik Roshan, she slogged through the day, instead of resting while shooting for Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Guzaarish. Apparently, she didn’t want Hrithik to waste his dates.

Despite being sick, she was asked to report to the sets of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Guzaarish and she did not throw any tantrums. The unit expected her to report a bit late, but she arrived a few minutes before the scheduled time.

A unit member said, “Aishwarya was down with fever for two days. She carried on shooting despite her poor health to make it convenient for Hrithik as it was the last two days of his first schedule and she didn’t want to waste his dates.”

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Hrithik & I share passion: Aishwarya

Big news is that Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is making a third film with Sanjay Leela Bhansali called Guzaarish after Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam and Devdas, and it stars Hrithik Roshan.

The actress, trapped in the dense forests of Kerala with husband Abhishek for Mani Ratnam’s Raavan, took a call and spoke to BT about it. “We’ve evolved together, grown as individuals and artistes, we’re both similar — totally driven and passionate, the passion is mutually addictive, we don’t meet for months, but every time we meet — we pick up the threads effortlessly,” said Ash about her filmmaker friend.

But, Guzaarish is going to be different from their first two films. “This time we aren’t going into the glamour zone,” said Ash. “Sanjay was so excited when he found the right script for us to work together in. ‘This is it,’ he said. For the first time I didn’t even read the script before I said yes. It’s a very real, very intense drama. I respect filmmakers like Sanjay, Mani Ratnam and Shankar who make the films they do because they have to. The family that I’ve married into, this belief and faith in the work we do is predominant. Ma or Pa only go into projects with complete conviction. I follow that faith.”

She laughed when asked whether filmmakers who wanted Aishwarya Rai Bachchan would settle for no other actress, “I don’t know, but when I am not able to do a project they discuss the alternatives with me. I treasure that relationship with my directors where they don’t see me as just their heroine but a collaborator even if I’m unable to do their films.”

That apart, Ash is thrilled to be working with Hrithik again. They were offered Mission Kashmir soon after Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, but she couldn’t meet the schedule, so her role was done by Preity Zinta.

Then they almost did Krissh, but that, too, didn’t materialise.
Hrithik has admitted that the former Miss World is his favourite co-star.

“We did an ad-film together before working in Dhoom 2 and Jodhaa-Akbar. Hrithik, Sanjay and I are like-minded people — very focussed and passionate about our work. The two films Hrithik and I did were poles apart and now Sanjay’s film takes us into a totally different territory. Like I said, there’s no glam zone in this one. I go completely by my convictions. I chose to do Dhoom 2 after ten years in the industry and not at the start of my career. I was just cracking a genre. And then I moved on. On the other hand, I was content being totally deglam in Guru. If I get loved by my audience for it, then nothing like it,” she said.

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Ash running late for Bhansali

Though Sanjay Leela Bhansalis Guzaarish goes on the floors today, Aishwarya will report on the sets only from tomorrow.

The mishap on the sets of Mani Ratnams Raavana near Cochin is the reason for Aishwaryas postponed schedule.
A source said, The mahout was killed by his elephant and it led to complete chaos. The mishap occurred just after the shoot was wrapped up and it even prevented Ash and Abhishek from reaching the hotel. As a result, there is a shift of location and the remaining shots with Aishwarya will be canned in Ooty. Her earlier schedule had allowed her a day free between the shoots of Raavana and Guzaarish, but not any more.

Confirming the news, a source close to the actress said, Aishwarya was to finish her shoot of Raavana today but due to the unfortunate elephant incident last evening, they had to request Sanjay Leela Bhansali for another day to complete her work. The unit of Raavana has shifted to Ooty for the rest of the schedule, which was originally meant to be shot in Kerala. Once she gets back, she will go straight to Sanjay Leela Bhansalis sets.

Aishwarya is very upset about the mishap. The source added, She is worried about the mahouts family and prays that they get through this moment of pain and loss.

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Hrithik Roshan’s hospital visits

Hrithik Roshan has been visiting hospitals. No, the actor isn't unwell. It's part of his preparation for his role in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Guzaarish, where he plays a paraplegic. A source reveals that Hrithik makes his visit late nights, so he doesn't get noticed. Apparently, the suburban hospital that he's visiting has given him special access to a ward that has patients suffering from the same syndrome.

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Hrithik is in a wheelchair...

Sanjay Leela Bhansali, who failed to hit pay dirt with a love story like Saawariya in 2007, is planning a Black-like hit with his next film Guzaarish.

In this, just as he had a visually impaired Rani Mukherji deliver an outstanding performance opposite Amitabh Bachchan at his impressive best in Black, Bhansali has Hrithik Roshan playing a wheelchair bound paraplegic opposite Aishwarya Bachchan.

Black was as much a box office success as it was critically acclaimed for the sheer boldness of its script and the depth of the relationship between a blind Rani and an alcoholic Bachchan. Hrithik has played a mentally challenged boy in papa Rakesh Roshan’s Koi Mil Gaya, but being physically handicapped on screen, will be his first experience. And, Ash and he make a hot couple anyway... remember Dhoom 2 and Jodhaa Akbar?

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Hrithik plays a paraplegic in Bhansali's Guzaarish

Macho takes a beating this year, as heroes across the board are playing either disabled or differently abled individuals in upcoming flicks, redefining the male lead's growing desire to do something that's starkly different.

So if Shah Rukh's character Rizwan Khan in My Name Is Khan suffers from Asperger's Syndrome, Hrithik Roshan is all set to play a paraplegic patient in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Guzaarish which has Aishwarya Rai as his co-star.

The film bears similarities to John Badham's Whose Life Is It Anyway? and will see Hrithik in a wheelchair for most of the scenes. The film also stars Aishwarya Rai Bachchan opposite the actor.

A source reveals, "Hrithik plays Ethan, a radio show host. Aishwarya plays a married nurse who is also Hrithik's caregiver. The film also deals with the controversial subject of mercy killing/euthanasia. Ash's character is interesting because she plays a married woman who gets attracted to Hrithik as the second half progresses. The film has dark tones throughout."

This will be the first time Hrithik will be seen in a serious role. "The film will totally change Duggu's image in the eyes of his audience. He is currently researching for the character and has had several meetings with Bhansali after the narration."

What is paraplegia?
Paraplegia is an impairment in motor and/or sensory function of the lower extremities. It is usually the result of spinal cord injury or a congenital condition such as spina bifida. The area of the spinal canal which is affected in paraplegia is either the thoracic, lumbar, or sacral regions.

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Hrithik- Ash to get steamy together

Their passionate kiss in Dhoom 2 created quite a stir in the Bachchan family but that hasn’t deterred the Bachchan bahu. She is ready to act alongside heartthrob Hrithik as his passionate lover.

The duo will get intimate in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Guzaarish; the movie is a tribute to singing legend, Lata Mangeshkar.

The stars, according to Bhansali, epitomize the physical and spiritual beauty of her voice.

We are sure Hrithik and Ash’s chemistry will definitely be something to watch out for.

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Bhansali's new film tribute to Lata Mangeshkar

Filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali says his Hrithik Roshan-Aishwarya Rai starrer "Guzaarish", which will be shot in Goa in July and August to capture the melody of the monsoons and the romance of the place, is actually a tribute to singing legend Lata Mangeshkar.

"I learnt direction from her voice. 'Guzaarish' is my tribute to Lata-ji's artistry," Bhansali told IANS.

As Bhansali returns to Goa after his directorial debut in "Khamoshi: The Musical", he has formulated what can only be called the complete homage to the most flawless voice. Every nuance and curve in the intense love story is inspired by the songs of Lata.

The screenplay too is inspired by Lata's passion for excellence.

Last week Bhansali met the singing legend to seek her blessings before plunging into "Guzaarish".

"But it was like a whole eternity passing by for me. I had always been afraid of meeting her. I'd always pass by her home in Peddar Road and hope for a glimpse of my goddess on her balcony. But to actually come face to face with her was a scary thought. One doesn't hobnob with one's god. But before 'Guzaarish' I had to meet her," Bhansali said.

"I just wanted to sit and gaze at her. I realised in person she's as magical as she is in her singing. There's something other-worldly about her, a quality I haven't encountered in anyone else in my life," he added.

Hrithik and Aishwarya have been chosen to play the passionate lovers in "Guzaarish" because to Bhansali they epitomise the physical and spiritual beauty of Lata's voice.

Lata too is a big fan of Bhansali's films and says she is fortunate that she is the source of inspiration behind such a talented director's film.

"Even I had heard that he makes his singers hear my songs over and over again before making them sing. I've always been a big fan of Sanjay's films, specially 'Black'. I remember watching the Filmfare Awards in the year of 'Black'. Every time the nominations were announced I prayed for 'Black' to win. And it did. If I'm a source of inspiration to him then I count myself fortunate," said Lata.

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Sanjay Bhansali to name his Ash-Hrithik starrer as GUZAARISH

Sanjay Leela Bhansali has ended his struggle to find a title for his film. Sources reveal SLB has decided to name his Ash-Hrithik starrer as Guzaarish. Bhansali has already begun pre-production work on the film and plans to start doing a recce for the shoot.

A source reveals, "The film goes on floors early next year. Initially, there was buzz that Bhansali would tie up with either BIG Pictures or Sony Pictures to produce the film. However, it is now learnt that the project will be a co-production between Bhansali and UTV Motion Pictures.

The director wanted to started the project sometime this year, but Hrithik suggested postponing the film until he wraps up his home production, Kites."

Spilling the beans over the subject of the film, the source adds, "There is an angle of mercy killing in the story which will be quite controversial. There were similarities between Guzaarish and The Prestige, but Bhansali has changed the script to make it more Indian."

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