Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, who is returning to the silver screen after a gap of almost five years, is happy with the response the first look of her comeback film Jazbaa received at the Cannes International Film Festival. The actress says she is excited to watch the film.
The 41-year-old star had taken a sabbatical following the birth of her daughter Aaradhya. Her last release was Guzaarish in 2010.
Aishwarya does not consider Jazbaa as her comeback film. “I feel I never went anywhere but it will be perceived as my comeback film. I had a chosen a Mani Ratnam film earlier but because of technical reasons he told me he is revisiting it. Now, Jazbaa will be that first film. It is a strong subject, it is not a stereotypical film. It is a great story,” she said.
The film directed by Sanjay Gupta will see her playing a lawyer. It also stars Irrfan Khan, Shabana Azmi, Anupam Kher and Jackie Shroff, among others.
“I feel the pressure is on Sanjay. After seeing the overwhelming response Sanjay says it is a reminder that the film has to be good. There is a certain language, edit pattern, cinematic language that Sanjay has,” Aishwarya said.
“It is about a single mother who is a lawyer and her daughter who gets kidnapped. People perceive it as a serious film and women oriented, it might go that way. But it is interesting to see how he [Sanjay] has told the story. I am happy, curious and excited to see Jazbaa.”
The film is scheduled to release in India in October.
“I am happy that our first look was displayed and it was trending in India and in Cannes. I am grateful and thankful to audience for showing their interest. As artists we hope people like our work. We work hard. The response is overwhelming and positive. It feels nice as our first look has been appreciated,” Aishwarya said.
“People understand it is a serious kind of a film. Sanjay chose me on the first poster but there are other wonderful actors like Shabana Azmi, Irrfan Khan and Jackie Shroff. It was great working with them,” she added.
Aishwarya, who is attending the Cannes film festival as the L’Oreal ambassador for the 14th consecutive year, said she always feels overwhelmed to be at the gala.
“These experiences are lovely each time. I had come here for Devdas, then on jury, then as L’Oreal brand ambassador, then I got married and came again, and then after Aaradhya was born, I was back here again.”
