Aishwarya Rai: Hit with Indian Fans

BOLLYWOOD icon Aishwarya Rai has set the screen on fire for years - and now firecracker makers are endorsing that as well.

Rai, former Miss World and Indian cinema's most prominent face across the world, is the most prominent cover girl on firecracker boxes as India gears up for Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights celebrating the victory of good over evil, which falls this year on November-1.

"She is so popular that people reject the same product in another package even with a discount," Minesh Mehta, joint secretary of the fireworks makers of Bombay and Thane cities in western India, was quoted as saying by the Hindustan Times newspaper.

Rai is a superstar in India. She has made more than 30 movies and has served on the Cannes Film Festival jury. Millions of people, including children and adults, have started bursting firecrackers in the run-up to the festival, which is celebrated by Indians of most religions.

Bollywood faces are a big draw on the product wrappings, but some current and former Hollywood heartthrobs - like Marilyn Monroe and Kate Winslet - are also endorsing Indian firecrackers.

"Not just Bollywood stars, but also cartoon characters like Lion King, Bugs Bunny and Mickey Mouse can be seen on cracker packets," Altaf Dawoodani, organiser of a fireworks sale in Bombay, told the newspaper.

All such endorsement are copyright violations, but the actors don't seem to mind.

Hits the Bulls-eye

Meanwhile, Indian-International star Aishwarya Rai stars in the role of a Byzantine warrior in the epic film ‘The Last Legion’. Part fact, part legend, THE LAST LEGION is based on acclaimed author Valerio Massimo Manfredi’s international best-selling 2003 novel of the same name.

The film is set against the fall of the Roman Empire in 470AD and its last emperor, 12-year-old Romulus Augustus. The producers have assembled a stellar cast on this epic film about courage, loyalty and unfailing resolve.

'This film is quite a departure from any other film Aishwarya Rai has ever done. I never thought I would see her climbing a wall and hanging some 400 feet above sea level. I am amazed at what great shape she is in. Her mere strength and total lack of fear in portraying this warrior is incredible! Her fans will be shocked then thrilled with this never before seen Aishwarya. She is simply marvelous,” states Simone Sheffield, Rai's International Manager.

Costume Designer Paolo Scalabrino (Gangs of New York, Troy, Seven Years in Tibet ) 'My first impression of Aishwarya in our initial meeting in London was what a very beautiful, feminine delicate lady she was. However, when she turned-up for work one month later (August 10th) I found a toughened-up, well toned (down 4 inches) and determined actress. I discovered a different person. You could see she had put lots of physical energy and lots of mental training to address the role. I believe she has all the star quality that other beautiful women are often short of. Aishwarya faces everything with a heart full of humility which makes her even more special.'●