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.

Bachchans present 'Madhushala' in a new bottle

When megastar Amitabh Bachchan and other members of his family took to the podium to recite from Harivansh Rai Bachchan's 'Madhushala - The House of Wine', commemorating his 102nd birth anniversary, nostalgia was in the air as the book was launched in a new avatar.

First published in 1933-34, the book is now designed in a format that contains original poems along with their English translation, interspersed with illustrations of paintings done by Namrita Bachchan, daughter of Amitabh's brother Ajitabh.

Actor Abhishek Bachchan said at the launch of the book Saturday that the book was not a revised version of the original, but a translation.

"It's wonderful that my cousin Namrita has illustrated the 'Madhushala' and it's wonderful to get the third generation of Bachchans to contribute," Abhishek said.

Amitabh revealed that this book was his wife Jaya Bachchan's idea.

"It was Jaya's idea that if the book is compiled in a way where one page has the original poems and in the corresponding page the translation of the same, then this generation would love to read it," Amitabh said.

Speaking to reporters, Jaya said: "This is the reproduction of the book 'The House of Wine', which was formerly written by Marjourie Bolton on the works of Shri Harivansh Rai Bachchhan."

Some translations have also been done by Ram Swaroop Vyas.

Almost every member of the Bachchan family recited Harivansh Rai Bachchan's select poems on the occasion.

Actors Om Puri, Rahul Bose and Ashutosh Rana and screenwriter Prasoon Joshi were among others present at the function.