Contrary to rumours that Aishwarya Rai Bachchan would star in Abhishek Bachchan’s next film, the science-fiction thriller Lefty, an industry source told Deccan Chronicle that Abhishek Bachchan wanted a “fresh, young face” to play the female lead. Lefty will begin production in mid January, and will be helmed by Prabhu Deva. Bunty Walia and Abhishek Bachchan are bankrolling the film.
According to the source, “Since it’s a home production, Ash was keen on doing the film. But Abhi has instructed his team to look for a fresh, young face to play the leading lady. He thinks Ash may be too mature for the role.”
If the source is correct, this would be another instance of gender discrimination in the industry. Abhishek Bachchan is 40 years old, while Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is 43 years old. Bollywood’s top three male actors (Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, and Aamir Khan) are all over 50 and routinely play 40-something heroes opposite actresses and characters far younger than them. Meanwhile, the oldest Bollywood actresses still on the market are Kajol (whose last big film was an effort to revive the DDLJ magic with Dilwale), and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan herself.
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However, with actresses like Vidya Balan advocating for greater gender equality at all levels of the film industry, that trend may change. Earlier, actor Ranbir Kapoor had managed to drag Aishwarya into not just a media controversy, but also potential conflict with her family after he said he had “taken advantage” of the opportunity of shooting intimate scenes with her in Ae Dil Hai Mushkil.
In Lefty, Abhishek plays a left-handed person. The actor is also left-handed in real life. The character will reportedly have super powers which will help him sense trouble. The film will explore how he sets out to save the city. The story has been written by Kona Venkat, who wrote Ready and Boney Kapoor’s Mom.