Abhishek will make a great 'Aishwarya Rai': Aishwarya Rai

Aishwarya Rai says she is fully convinced that actor-husband Abhishek Bachchan will make a good father in real life because he is so "real and rooted".

"Everybody has been asking me if Abhishek will be a good pa (father) in connection with the release of our forthcoming production 'Aishwarya Rai'. I think it's silly for me to be even making the statement. It's given - I married the man. So obviously I have the conviction in the husband he is or the father he will be," Aishwarya, 36, told IANS in an interview here.

Asked about Abhishek's qualities that would make him a good father, Aishwarya laughed and said: "He is very real, very rooted and very human - which I absolutely relate to. His values are evident for everybody to see. We have known each other for so many years.

"I've seen him with his niece and nephew since the time they were babies. He is so great with kids and I've seen that for the longest time with (his sister Shweta's children) Navya (Naveli) and Agastya. I have no doubts on him whatsoever."

Aishwarya, who will be seen with Abhishek in "Ravana", was in the capital Monday to launch the Longines PrimaLuna, a new watch range inspired by the moon and galaxy.

Sporting a sleek piece herself that matched with an elaborate yet elegant black and cream off-shoulder gown, Aishwarya was at peace talking about her personal life.

Asked whether she would want a daughter or a son, she said: "Come on...Aren't you like moving at a really fast pace...! Whatever god has in store for us in life (will come)... Life itself is a blessing, let alone to have opportunity to be able to bring a life into this world.

"It's really not in our hands ...it's in god's hands. I hope I am just blessed with that experience, I am really looking forward to it and we will certainly cherish it," she added.

Her mother-in-law Jaya Bachchan is a member of the Samajwadi Party, but Aishwarya is doubtful if she will ever head in that direction.

"Life has been so full - haven't even thought about it (entering politics). My life is evidently extremely full in terms of the amount of responsibilities and experiences I am currently having.

"And I believe, anything you take, you have to be able to commit to and give a lot of yourself to. And I think at this point, life is full and that's what I am giving (my best) to," she said.

On the work front, the former beauty queen is busy with big ticket projects such as Mani Ratnam's "Ravana", Sanjay Leela Bhansali's "Guzaarish", Rajnikant starrer "Endhiran" and Vipul Shah's "Action Replay".

The actress is likely to feature as Mumtaz Mahal with acclaimed Hollywood actor Ben Kingsley in "Taj", which is based on Taj Mahal.

"After 'The Last Legion', Sir Ben and I were keen to work together in another project. He has now come with the final draft and he has just sent it over to me. Once we agree on everything, we will take the project forward. He will start scouting for the locations soon," she said.

For now, Aishwarya is looking forward to AB Corp's "Aishwarya Rai", which features her father-in-law, megastar Amitabh Bachchan, and Abhishek. The film releases Friday.

Bhansali bends rules for Aishwarya

Director Sanjay Leela Bhansali is known to be a stickler for strict schedules during filming, but he is voluntarily giving Aishwarya Rai a few days break from the shooting of "Guzaarish" so that she can attend the premiere of "Paa" that has her husband and father-in-law in lead roles.

"It's no big deal. Adjusting my schedule is the least I can do for someone who has been a dear friend for many years. But this was not done for Aishwarya. It was for 'Paa' and Amitji. It's a very special moment for the family," Bhansali told IANS.

Releasing Friday, "Paa" is produced by AB Corp. The film is about a father-son-son-father relationship - while Abhishek Bachchan plays a politician, Amitabh will be seen as his 13-year-old son suffering from progeria, a disease that accelerates the ageing process.

While Aishwarya will play a perfect host at the "Paa" premeire Dec 3 here, Bhansali will shoot solo scenes with the film's leading man Hrithik Roshan.

"Aishwarya is not just Sanjay's leading lady. After doing three films together, they are family. Sanjay saw how stressed Aishawarya was trying to balance her tight schedules for 'Guzaarish' with the time required to pitch in with real-life pa for 'Paa'.

"In fact, Mr. Bachchan has been running around alone inviting the film fraternity for the premiere on December 3 since Abhishek has been shooting non-stop in Goa for Ashutosh Gowariker and Jayaji is in Delhi attending parliament," said a friend of Bhansali and Aishwarya.

"When she expressed her helplessness about not being available for Amitji to make arrangements for the premiere, Sanjay made up his mind to give her those crucial days on and before the premiere off, although it meant considerable schedule adjustment on his part," added the friend.

Aishwarya has been juggling her "Guzaarish" schedule with her duties as a hostess for family events to the best of her abilities. On Saturday evening she was present as an integral part of the Bachchan family with husband Abhishek, sister-in-law Shweta and the Big's B bother Ajitabh Bachchan's kids for a poetry reading on Harivansh Rai Bachchan's birth anniversary.

"She had little time to prepare her poems. But she recited Harivansh Rai Bachchan's lines like a true Bachchan," said a close friend of Aishwarya.