Aishwarya Rai Bachchan addresses fake news: ‘False or unnecessary writing is insensitive’

At the press conference, when Aishwarya Rai Bachchan was asked about “irrelevant news content that hurts people emotionally and sentimentally,” she said, “It’s so nice that a member from the media only is recognising that that does exist. So that gives us a great hope that you are obviously not going to perpetuate that, you are not going to encourage that and thank you very much for your wise recognition of the negative impact of false writing or unnecessary writing which is insensitive and unnecessary. So thank you so much for your support for the sentiment that we all share and for your wisdom in recognising that.”

Aishwarya then spoke about how it is a coincidence that she played Nandini in both the parts of Ponniyin Selvan and also in Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999). Aishwarya said that she is grateful that both the Nandinis are relatable to women all over the world.

She said, “What a coincidence. Even Nandini in Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam was very memorable. She lives in people’s hearts and I am so so thankful that I got to play Nandini then. And today of course with Mani Garu, I got to play Nandini in Ponniyin Selvan. I mean it is a blessing to have gotten to play such strong women, such layered women and women with character that touches the lives of so many women out there. There is a relatability and for that I am very grateful.”

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan made her acting debut with Mani Ratnam’s Tamil film Iruvar in 1997 and then went on to predominantly do Hindi films. There is a general thought that some actors start doing South Indian films when they don’t get work in Bollywood and vice versa. Reacting to this, Aishwarya said, “I look at cinema as Indian cinema. I had the opportunity to subtly but strongly and clearly convey that in the work that I did right from the beginning. I do not support this view point that there is no work here so go there (south), and vice versa.”

She added, “As an actor, wherever we get the opportunity to shine, to learn, to grow and to be able to do fabulous work, it naturally draws you. I was blessed to have got the opportunity to work with Mani garu in my first film. Why wouldn’t I say yes? Thereafter, I got to work with wonderful directors like Rajiv Menon, Shankar. Besides, all the films have had AR Rahman’s music. Why wouldn’t I happily say yes to this incredible combination of talent? It’s not about going here or there. Since the beginning of my career, I have made it clear with my choices that I don’t follow these thought processes and system. That’s never been my journey and reasons for my choices.”

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan’s Ponniyin Selvan 2 will be released in theatres on April 28.