Aishwarya's long sabbatical

The reports that Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is returning to cinema with a film by Sanjay Leela Bhansali has everyone around the two concerned families baffled. The buzz is that Ash will return to films at least after a year.



The rumour was that SLB plans to cast his 'Paro' from Dedvdas as Mastani and that too with Shah Rukh Khan playing Bajirao.

Says a source, "SLB and Shah Rukh have spoken about a role. But it is certainly not Bajirao. As for Aishwarya it would be quite a while, at least a year before she even contemplates returning to movies."

This, feel sources close to the project is nothing but an attempt to provoke Salman Khan who was the original choice for the role of Bajirao.

Says the source, "In 2002, Sanjay Bhansali was all set to start his most ambitious project Bajirao Mastani with Salman and Aishwarya in the lead.

When she decided not to work with him, Sanjay signed Kareena Kapoor opposite Salman. SRK was never considered for Bajirao's part."

According to sources close to Aishwarya and SLB, apparently baseless reports of SRK stepping into Sallu's role are being planted as a part of a game of one-upmanship between the two warring Khans.

Bhansali and Aishwarya remained unavailable for comment.