Joined: Mon Aug 05, 2002 6:12 am
Posts: 91
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im a good fan of aish, and dont really respect her decision in the case of the rising....BUT our indian industry is no exception. INDIANS GET SO BUTTHURT about everything. they cant help glossing everything up, and at the end all the blame goes towards one end. Aamir khan is an amazing actor, but he is still pretty stuck up....anybody agree. i mean, he never attends awards functions...and he's had a bunch of scandals on his back. Bhansali is KNOWN for his stubborn attitude, his petty arguments with people like manisha, ismail darbar, barat shah, and now aishwarya. im not saying she's always right, im just saying...i dont think we shoudl put all the blame on her. well, to back me up, here's this article given out by her agent simone shefield:
SUBJECT - THE RISING
FALSE STORY - ASH GREEDY AND FIRED FROM THE RISING.
TRUTH - THE DECISION TO NOT APPEAR IN THE RISING WAS MUTUAL. BOTH PARTIES WERE IN AGREEMENT.
Ash mutually opted out of the Rising. Unfortunately, we have had a lot of untrue press in India.
The producer Bobby Bedi, came out and said Ash was greedy and was fired from the film.
That is totally untrue ! Money is usually the least important issue for Ash. She has no problem starring in films for virtually free, just as she did in "Chokher Bali".
As her Manager, I will reply to a few questions that I have received from other media outlets and also provide you with a brief explanation and documentation
Q: Since when are you handling Ash’s career?
A: October 2002
Q: Was there any kind of agreement signed officially with the producer of The Rising?.
A. Yes, a document that stated she would participate in the Rising based on mutually agreed to terms and conditions. below is the document, to confirm.
Q: What exactly prompted you to renegotiate the deal, specially after agreeing to work together?
A. The fact that there is and was never a formal agreement made, is number one. Next, once we found that the Rising was no longer just an "Indian territory" film, and that it was being shot in Hindi and English, co-financed by UK concerns and that contact had been made with major US studios for distribution, etc. It became clear that the type and level of the film had changed and it was no longer JUST an Indian film.
Rai has two US agreements, one with William Morris Agency as her exclusive Agents and one with Canyon Entertainment for Management. Both our agreements give us authority on any and all international projects, including, commercials and television.
Up until the last day of negotiations, Rai was set and totally willing to appear in the Rising. Our instructions from Rai were very clear.... to close a deal ASAP once all terms were fair and settled.
see below a short list of facts
Q: Would this move of hers affect her career in Bollywood?
A. I would think it could to some small degree. But I strongly feel, from working with Rai for the past year, that she is and has been one of the most generous and professional Artist I have ever worked with.....her strength and character is very inspirational to me.
It will be a shame if the people in India do not see this situation from both sides.
I have seen her bend-over backwards to help friends and associates, not to mention, total strangers in need. She has taken on films that have had very small budgets and currently with Chokher Bali, Rai did the film virtually for free.
However, I believe there is a pocket of individuals that target her NO MATTER what she does. When you raise to her level in any field, this is bound to happen. So in the end, I feel those that support Ash, will understand our position and continue to support her and wish her well...........and those that wish her bad will continue to wish her bad. Sometimes people prefer to tear down someone rather than support them. That I find extremely sad.
Q: Is Ash’s rising `demand’ internationally’ got to do about her ascent in international scene?.
A. NOT AT ALL........from the start of our association, Rai has made it clear that India is her home and will always be her priority. That should a major international project conflict with an Indian Project of the same merit, Rai will forfeit the international project. There have already been 2 such situations and I am positive there will be many others. Interest in Rai does not just come from Hollywood, but from the UK and Frence film markets, also. Rai could most defiantly work 52 weeks a year, if she wished to do so. But our plan is to try and choose roles that will best showcase her as an actress with great worldwide appeal, and hopefully, cut down on her hectic schedule leaving her with time TO REST and ENJOY LIFE........
In every international interview and in each meeting Rai has had in Hollywood, she has spoken very highly of India, its people, culture, industry and heart......people there do not realize the global impact Rai is creating, they should be proud of her instead of bashing her.
Q: What are the new projects in the West?
A. Besides for "Chaos" with Meryl Streep, we have 2 offers on the table currently. But once again, due to Rai's desire to do an upcoming project with a great Indian Director in 2004, we have not yet accepted either or both films, due to scheduling. Not to mention, the 7 meetings she's having while here in Los Angels completing "Bride and Prejudice" for Gurinder Chadha.
Deals fall apart everyday in this Industry.....so why in the world would people write such hurtful and untrue things - is beyond me.
Below is a breakdown of events
Ash met with the Dir. last NOV 2002 !!!!!
Dir. proposed the project story line at which point Rai requested changes to the character.
Rising was a strong story and an important INDIAN (not international) film.
Ash said she would like to get the script, and YES, would like to do the film.
No documents were received until May 14th 2003 - (see below)
Ash signed - that she will participate in the film based on mutually agreed to terms and conditions.
A deposit was sent to hold her dates. (finalized only 3 or 4 weeks ago)
No final script was received until 3 or 4 weeks ago - after numerous requests !!!
Bobby Bedi did not answer our (William Morris & Management) many calls & emails for weeks on end.
Without a deal in place and with the lack of contact with Bedi, we returned his deposit on Oct. 17, 2003.
Then when Prince Charles was scheduled to visit the production Bedi finally calls so Ash will show-up for his visit. However, WE STILL HAD NO DEAL........and Ash was away completing "Khakhi and could not attend the reception, regardless..........
As far as we (manager/agents) were concerned - once the deposit was returned, no final script in hand, no final dates, no final cast (British lead actress had not been cast) and most importantly - THERE WAS NO BINDING AGREEMENT. We felt the Rising Had Set !
In early November we sent Bedi our requirements for Ash's services. And YES, Ash's price and international value have risen significantly in the past year, alone, making her price higher than a year ago, even a month ago. And YES, the Rising had now become an international project, on a totally different level than in November 2002, when Rai was originally approached.
When Bedi said he had no more up front money for the role - we offered to accept fees on the back-end for UK/USA territories. If the film did not make money internationally, Ash willingly, would receive only her flat fee. Bedi told me "only Aamir was getting Back-end". I found this unfair and unacceptable (especially, based on Rai's international appeal.)
Bedi told me that he was having financial troubles for months with people pulling money out from the project. On the occasions when I did speak w/ Bedi - his numbers and information continued to change.
Bedi has been using Ash's name connected to the film for months now - which was fine as long as he had all good intentions on closing a FAIR DEAL.
It's unfair to think one could put us in a tight spot by finalizing the deal just days before filming, and threaten to blacken Ash's name saying "how small the film industry was and how he knows EVERYONE in the business".........THIS IS CHILDISH !!!!
Ms Patel has now been cast and we wish her well.
Business is Business and fair is fair. ASH WAS NOT BEING TREATED FAIRLY. IT'S AS SIMPLE AS THAT !!!
MAYA MOVIES PVT. LTD. DOCUMENT
23, Shah Industrial Estate, off.Veera Desai Road,
Andheri(W), Mumbai-400 053.
Tel. 2673 11 45/46/47/48 Fax. 2673 09 61
Email mayamovies@maya.com
Dated May 14, 2003.
To
Aishwarya
Mumbai.
Dear Madam,
This is to put on record that you have agreed to participate in our project "The Rising" as an artist, playing the role of Jwala on mutually agreed terms and conditions.
The film being produced by Maya Movies Pvt. Ltd. is being directed by Ketan Mehta and stars Aamir Khan in the lead role.
The film "The Rising" is scheduled for production from August 2003 to January 2004.
Kindly confirm the agreement and oblige.
With warm regards,
For Maya Movies Pvt.
Ltd. I confirm
Authorised Signatory. Aishwarya Rai.
IT'S A SHAME THAT SO FEW PRESS MEMBERS FELT COMPELLED TO SEEK THE TRUTH PRIOR TO BLASTING ASH. I DON'T FULLY GRASP THE REASONING BEHIND SUCH "ONE SIDED" ACTIONS. TO ME, IT IS TOTALLY UNFAIR TO ASH, THE READERS IN INDIA AND TO THE RESPECTED INDIAN FILM INDUSTRY.
I hope this explanation provides you with more clarity.
Simone Sheffield
Manager to Ms. Rai
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