Ash takes FIFA break after Raavan's release!

With Raavan, her first Bollywood film in two years opening in theatres today, Aishwaya Rai says it is time for a football recess. “Life right now is super hectic.

In fact super hectic to the power of ten,” Rai sighs. “It’s been a crazy roller coaster ride.” Would going for the soccer world cup provide a needed break?

Rai says, “Abhishek and I are both soccer fans and and we root for Brazil. But as far as going for the world cup is concerned, I don’t think we would be able to make it.

Things are just too busy.” The Bachchans came under flack for their absence from the IIFA awards in Colombo. Even actor Salman Khan criticised.

Amitabh Bachchan’s no-show, despite being IIFA’s brand ambassador Ash explains, “The press made this into a big issue, without getting into facts. My international commitments are chalked out at the start of the year itself and Wizcraft (the organisers of IIFA) knows that well. I had committed to attending the French Open in Paris.”

She adds, “Abhishek was shooting for Game in Istanbul. In any case, he said it’s Pa who’s the brand ambassador of IIFA, not us. We need not go every year. And despite wanting to, we couldn’t have made time for it. Still if people say bad things, what to do? The tongue is the only boneless entity in the body, so those who want to talk unnecessarily, would continue to do so.”

On working with director Mani Ratnam on Raavan, the film that opens in theatres today, Rai says, “Mani is one filmmaker who forces you to think from a fresh perspective. He has played a key role in the film careers of both Abhishek and me. I debuted in Iruvar with him, and Yuva turned out to be a turning point in Abhishek’s career.”

The couple celebrated their third marriage anniversary in April, Rai says they didn’t gift each other anything. “At the risk of sounding corny, I’d say our only gift is to give ourselves to each other. Abhishek and I have a ‘no gift policy’ in our marriage.