Aishwarya Rai: Tulip of Asia

VIVEK was on air again. This time proclaiming 'Shaadi' [marriage] with girlfriend Ash. But when Delhi Times contacted him, he said there were no immediate wedding plans. Forget the ifs and buts. Here's the picture-perfect wedding and its future...

Ido, he says during the interview that was telecast on Sunday. Whether or not the lady reciprocates, Vivek Oberoi has announced on a TV news channel, "Yes, I will marry Aishwarya Rai."

In the same interview, he elaborates further. "She is my girlfriend. Aishwarya has been very lucky for me. There is a stability that comes in one's life with the right girl. She should understand you, understand your career, understand films... girls from a non-film background can find the going tough."

The actor also makes mention of another high-profile Bollywood couple to prove his point. "There are some special relationships right now like Ash and me, Kareena and Shahid. People had said that we wouldn't last when it first came to light but it has been 2.5 years now."

Immediately after the news was flashed by the channel, Vivek spoke with Delhi Times . "My intentions are honourable but there are no impending plans of marriage. The whole interview has been blown out of proportion," he says.

Has he been quoted out of context? "That is for people to decide. I don't want to say anything further on this matter."

Was this take III after Vivek's alleged attempts to hog the limelight via media outbursts? Remember the tirade against Salman Khan and his 40-plus phone calls at a press conference in 2003. And, more...recently, his relief work for tsunami victims which Tamil Nadu CM Jayalalithaa has found fault with? That remains in the realms of speculation for now.

While Ash couldn't be contacted for comment, if she does marry Vivek, the wedding will be the fairytale-ending stuff with which erstwhile Bollywood knots have been tied.

Of course,going by Ash's career moves too, it seems Hollywood hunting is currently top priority for the Bollywood Diva. Shaadi does seem secondary. But then again, love ke liye kuch bi karega na? [afterall something has to be done for love?]

Bollywood's verdict on Ash-Vivek

Mahesh Bhatt: They are good-looking going by societal standards. On that basis alone, they look good together!"

Anupam Kher: "They look good together. When two people are happy, it makes them look good as a couple, but beyond that, it's none of my business."

Satish Kaushik: "If they love each other, they'll be good together. Ash is a happy person. I've never worked with Vivek, but I'm sure he's a nice person. They make for a nice couple."

Ken Ghosh: "I've met them once or twice at parties and they came across as any other young couple out on a date. They're like... any other couple hanging out together and spending time with each other."

Taran Adarsh: "I saw them at Subhash Ghai's party and they looked in love. They are a normal couple except for the media spotlight on them."

Industrywallas reveal that Vivek is possessive about Ash and once reprimanded a lensman who tried to click them together. Ash has only acknowledged Vivek as a "good friend: someone who's been there for me in good and bad times."

Reluctance by Ash

Aishwarya is a confirmed introvert based on her reluctance to talk about her relationships, be it with Vivek or Salman. Vivek is a confirmed extrovert.

In cases like this, there is a chance that the extrovert becomes a buffer for the introvert. The needs of externalisation are taken care of by the person who is more vocal in the relationship.

But the extrovert, after some time, might feel bored. Extroverts look for interaction and new thrills all the time.

Also, the introvert might find the extrovert boorish or to be stepping on her toes. Ash has a high level of persistence; she has the ability to see things through even when the going gets tough.

In this respect, Vivek scores low — after Jayalalitha levelled charges... against him, he backed out. Ash also has a high level of self-direction; she is sure of what she wants.

In a relationship with Vivek, Ash would have the upper hand.

Ash-Salman

This was a passive-aggressive relationship with Ash being the passive participant.

The term 'aggressive' need not imply just physical aggression but verbal and social aggression too.

In such a scenario, the passive person puts up with irrational behaviour. The aggressive person expects the passive one to continue while the passive one might choose not to do so.

This leads to the relationship breaking up. Besides, Salman is the type that seeks novelty; he will constantly seek something new. Ash would be more compatible with Vivek than Salman.●