‘I’m having the time of my life’

AISHWARYA RAI, who is currently busy with the Bachchans’ Unforgettable concert, says that as a costar she had often asked Abhishek to experience a world tour.

And when he finally agreed to it, they are dancing as husband and wife. “It’s a wonderful experience.

We have danced together on screen and also performed together. But we’ve never been on a concert tour together. Even the audiences all over now respond to us as a couple.

They keep showering us with blessings and good wishes.”

The actress took a break from her tour and flew back to Mumbai with Abhishek to meet her father who is unwell.

It seems jetlag was invented for you and Abhishek?

I grabbed this opportunity to come back home because Abhishek had to attend an event. I came back to see my father. That’s been a gnawing concern all through ever since my father fell ill. The first couple of the Unforgettable shows were really difficult because I didn’t get enough time to rehearse.

But after that it’s been fantastic.

In spite of the fact that you couldn’t rehearse enough?

I was ill for three weeks before we left. I was on antibiotics throughout. I barely had five days to rehearse before we left. Only I know what it took for me to look chipper at the Press conference.

Wouldn’t you’ve preferred to stay home at this time?

My father wouldn’t allow that. My parents are made of incredible substance.

When I was toying with the idea of backing out of the tour, they put their foot down. My dad was like, ‘No way. Life goes on. There’s no way I’ll let you take steps back’.

The international Press has gone ga-ga over your dancing?

I enjoy dancing and I’m having the time of my life.

But I wanted to come back to Mumbai for a while to spend time with dad. So much as I’d like to come back every week from the concerts, I can’t. But I just had to see dad. And this weekend we just had one show. Now we return to do a show in Houston.

How is it dancing with Madhuri Dixit?

For the two of us it’s like old times again. We felt we were both back to doing Devdas together.

You hadn’t forgotten your Dola re steps?

You know muscle memory never lets a dancer down. If you’re a dancer, you never forget steps for a song or dance you’ve done before.

When the music plays the body just takes flight. And that’s the best way to dance.

Dancing with the whole family - is that a new high?

It’s a wonderful experience.

We’ve danced together on screen and also performed together. But we’ve never been on a concert tour together. These concerts are special because we’re doing them as a family and it’s the first concert Abhishek and I are doing after marriage.

And when we perform to the Guru song, you should hear how they coo and clap.

Your best shared moment during the concerts so far?

After the performance at Amsterdam, I looked at Abhishek and asked how it felt. And he reminded me that I had urged him to go on stage from long before.

‘And now we’re on stage as husband and wife,’ he said.

That was a memorable moment.

A section of your friends in Mumbai continue to believe the shows aren’t doing well?

What do you do? I’ve spent an entire career fighting off false perceptions about my life and career.

Do you improvise in the programming for each concert?

Well, we added Dola re in the US when Madhuri came on board. Abhishek and I have also added a romantic act. Most of the show is preset, but we’re modifying it here and there. As the number of performances increases we’re having more and more fun. We’re getting more and more interactive with the audience.