Ash out of Buddha?

Rai’s delay in giving a nod to this project has compelled director Pan Nalin to consider other options, reports Prithwish Ganguly

Award-winning filmmaker Pan Nalin (of Samsara and Valley of Flowers fame) was an excited man when he approached Aishwarya Rai Bachchan to play Yashodhara (Gautam Buddha’s wife) in his forthcoming period film Buddha that would have an international cast and crew.

However, it seems like Nalin’s project, which aims to trace the life and teachings of Lord Buddha and would be shot on several Indian and foreign locations, did not tempt the Bachchan bahu well enough to get an immediate nod from her side.

“I was very keen to have Aishwarya in my film. She fits the bill completely,” said Pan. “I’m constantly in touch with her business manager Hari Singh. But as of now I haven’t received any word from her side. It is disappointing that we have not been able to work it out till now. I really hope to have her in the film,” he said. However, he asserted, “If we don’t get a response from her, we have to automatically leave her out.”

Hari Singh on the other hand said, “Aishwarya and Pan have had a meeting. Pan had come over to meet her and even gave her the script of the film. All I can say on her behalf is that the project is still of high importance to her.”

However, this delay in receiving a nod from Ash and the urgency of the financers to roll the film from October 2008 onwards has made Pan anxious enough to contemplate about a replacement.

“We expect to start shooting from October,” Pan said. “I can only wait for a little more time. After that I will have no options left but to go ahead with someone else. I’m already contemplating whom to approach in case there is no breakthrough. Maybe I’ll go for an international face,” Pan said.

But the director said missing out on Ash would be a big setback for the film. “I learn that she has many commitments. She is doing some films (one with Mani Ratnam and Shankar’s Robot with superstar Rajnikanth). Moreover, there is also her family world tour this year,” he said. “I understand that she hardly has time but missing out on her will be a loss. She is simply beautiful and suits the look I want for my period film,” Pan ended.