Journalism of Courage
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is celebrating her 49th birthday. Aishwarya is an actor, winner of the Miss World 1994 pageant, wife of actor Abhishek Bachchan and daughter-in-law to Amitabh and Jaya Bachchan. On her special day, we look at what Bachchans have said about Aishwarya in the past.
It was on Karan Johar's chat show Koffee With Karan where Jaya Bachchan and Hema Malini came together in the year 2007, just a little before Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai's wedding. Shweta Bachchan and Esha Deol too appeared on the show as a surprise. (Photo: Amitabh Bachchan/Instagram)
On the show, Karan Johar first said, "Now you'll be sharing some of the issues with your daughter-in-law. There will be Ash, who will come and take some of the burden off your shoulders." To which Jaya Bachchan answered, "Hopefully. I am hoping that she will take a lot more than just some." KJo cut in and said, "So you want to give her lots more?" Shweta answered, "Don't do that mom. It's scary and intimidating," to which Jaya answered, "What rubbish." Shweta added, "Slowly ease her into it." Karan explained, "The Bachchan way of life?" While Jaya agreed, Shweta said, "It's not that hard." (Photo: Abhishek Bachchan/Instagram)
In the same episode, Jaya Bachchan lauded Aishwarya and spoke about her qualities. (Photo: Abhishek Bachchan/Instagram)
In Jaya's words, "She (Aishwarya) is lovely. I love her. I have always loved her. I have never ever seen her push herself whenever we are all together. I like that quality of hers to stand behind. She is quiet. She listens and she is taking it all in. And another beautiful thing is that she has fitted in so well in the family. She knows who are our good friends." (Photo: Abhishek Bachchan/Instagram)
On the third season of Koffee With Karan, in the year 2010, Aishwarya and Abhishek graced Karan Johar’s couch and Abhishek spoke about the three women in his life: his mother, elder sister, and wife, and how he has an extremely special place in all of their lives. (Photo: Aishwarya Rai Bachchan/Instagram)
Abhishek had shared, "Credit has to be given entirely to the girls. I have very little to do with it. I think what works also is that Maa and her are very close. They talk about everything and I really feel that Maa has very easily moved into the space of being her confidant in the house. I am pretty sure when a woman first comes into her husband’s house, she feels a bit out of place, evidently, and obviously. And I think the only person who can truly fill that void is her mother-in-law because she too, knew what it was like to do that. And I really think Maa has done that." (Photo: Aishwarya Rai Bachchan/Instagram)
When Aaradhya Bachchan was born in 2011, Amitabh Bachchan spoke at length about Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and the new member of the Bachchan family. (Photo: Aishwarya Rai Bachchan/Instagram)
Amitabh then spoke to the media about Aishwarya's delivery and how his daughter-in-law refused to take any painkillers during labour. "We went there on the 14th night. The doctors had told us that the baby could arrive anytime now. On the 16th morning, she delivered the baby. This was a normal delivery even though these days people opt for C-section and other things. But Aishwarya wanted a normal delivery. She had to struggle but I commend her that she was in acute labour for a long time, almost 2-3 hours. But she persisted, said she wanted a normal delivery. She did not use any epidural or painkiller," Big B had told the media. (Photo: Aishwarya Rai Bachchan/Instagram)
Shweta Bachchan Nanda too opened up about what she loves, hates, and tolerates about Aishwarya during a conversation with Karan Johar on his chat show. (Photo: Amitabh Bachchan/Instagram)
"She is a self-made, strong woman and a fantastic mother," Shweta said about Aishwarya, as she praised her for her dedication and hard work. Shweta said she "tolerates" Aishwarya’s time management but hates that the actor "takes forever to return calls and messages." (Photo: Amitabh Bachchan/Instagram)
Well, not only other family members but husband Abhishek Bachchan too has time and again showered praises on Aishwarya. (Photo: Abhishek Bachchan/Instagram)
"I think it’s high time we just acknowledge that women are the superior species as compared to men and you know they just tend to put things into perspective. My wife is exceptional at that. She’s always been an amazing emotional support for me. I’ve been very lucky, my entire family has been. The wonderful thing about having a life partner like Aishwarya is that she is from the business. She gets it. She has been doing it slightly longer than I have. So, she knows the world. She has been through it all. So, it’s nice when you come home and if you’ve had a challenging day, you know that there’s somebody who gets it," shared Abhishek in an interview with Bollywood Hungama. (Photo: Amitabh Bachchan/Instagram)
Abhishek added, "She has been somebody that, I have always noticed, has managed to traverse some of the most difficult times of her life with utmost dignity and grace. I really admire that about her. Actors are emotional people, we’re very, very hyper-sensitive. and there are times when we might just want to lash out and we kind of explode. You can only take so much. I’ve never seen her do that." (Photo: Amitabh Bachchan/Instagram)
