Aishwarya Rai Bachchan on playing Nandini in Ponniyin Selvan, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam: ‘It’s a blessing…’

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is all set to return as Nandini with Ponniyin Selvan 2. The actress is reuniting with Mani Ratnam in the film that will hit theatres on April 28. Ahead of it, she and the cast of the film were busy promoting it in Mumbai. There, she spoke about her connection with the name Nandini.

AISHWARYA RAI ON HER SPECIAL CONNECTION WITH THE NAME NANDINI

During the press conference for Ponniyin Selvan 2, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan was asked about her special connection with the name Namdini. She plays a character named Nandini in the Mani Ratnam film and had played Nandini earlier in Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam.

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Talking about it, she said, “What a coincidence. It’s amazing na? Even Nandini in Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam was very very memorable. She has lived on people’s heart and I’m so so thankful that I got to play Nandini then too. She had remained special to the audience and, of course, to me. That was Sanjay Bhansali ji and today for my Mani Garu, I got to play Nandini in Ponniyin Selvan. That’s just tremendously a blessing, to have gotten to play such strong women, such layered women and women with character that touch the lives of so many women out there. There’s a relatability and I am very very very grateful.

AISHWARYA SAYS SHE’LL ALWAYS SAY YES TO MANI RATNAM

During the press conference, she also said that she will forever say yes to Mani Ratnam, if ever he has anything to offer to her. Calling him her ‘guru’, she said, “ It’s a natural yes. Jab bhi poochenge, jawab ha hi hoga (Whenever he will ask me to work in his films, I would say yes). That’s a given. Ab ise guru bhakti kahe, shraddha kahe, kritagyata kahe ya pyaar kahe (Call it my respect to my guru or faith or gratefulness or love). You can label it whatever you want.

ABOUT PONNIYIN SELVAN

Ponniyin Selvan is a fictional period drama based on the popular literary novel of the same name written by Kalki Krishnamurthy. The film features Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Trisha, Chiyaan Vikram, Karthi and Jayam Ravi in lead roles. The first part grossed over Rs 500 crore worldwide.

Prakash Raj, Aishwarya Lekshmi, Sobhita Dhulipala, Jayaram, Prabhu, Lal and several other stars form the supporting cast of the film. The film has music composed by AR Rahman.

(Inputs by Bhavna Agarwal)