Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai exude grace, elegance, and star power, linking these qualities to their names inextricably. But behind Bollywood’s flash and splendour is a love story that is just as captivating as any romance on the silver screen. It is the tale of two hearts finding their eternal home as fate works its magic. It led them from the cramped setting of a photoshoot session to the majestic heights of a dreamy balcony proposal in New York.
A Flame Born on the Set
When speaking with YouTuber Ranveer Allahabadia, Abhishek shared details of how he first got to know Aishwarya.
“I was a production boy when I first got to know her. My father was working on a movie titled Mrityudata. I had been there for a few days. At that same time, my childhood buddy Bobby Deol was filming Aur Pyar Ho Gaya, his debut movie. When he saw I was there, he asked, “Hey, how about you come over for dinner?” And that was the first time I had met Aishwarya while they were filming.”
Sparks flew on the film set “Dhaai Akshar Prem Ke” in 2000. Aishwarya, the queen of Indian cinema, was paired with Abhishek, Bachchan’s successor, for the first time. Despite speculation, the pair remained silent with dignity. Their on-screen chemistry suggested a budding relationship.
Love in Technicolor
With their evident connection, Aishwarya and Abhishek painted the town red (and occasionally yellow!) as the noughties progressed. Their love story became a national obsession, from gracing award events with their contagious humour to sizzling in films like Kuch Na Kaho and Bunty Aur Babli.
Beyond the Lights
Despite the media’s relentless scrutiny, Aishwarya and Abhishek kept their personal lives private. They sought consolation at private dinners, whispered secrets, and had a profound understanding of transcending celebrity shallowness. Their grounded demeanour and love for a family struck a chord with moviegoers, cementing their status as Bollywood’s power couple.
The Dreamy Balcony Proposal
During their developing relationship, Abhishek planned an original proposal for Aishwarya. He was sitting on the balcony of his hotel in New York when he had this crazy vision of marrying her there. Resolved, he summoned Aishwarya to the same balcony, asking her to marry him on the spur of the moment. She accepted cheerfully, overjoyed.
“When I was filming in New York, I used to wish for a future with Aishwarya,” Abhishek recalled, remembering the sweet moment he shared with Oprah Winfrey after their wedding. Thus, I proposed on that balcony.” This touching story captures the beginning of their marriage, marked by a chance proposal outside a major skyscraper.
A Decade of Togetherness
Aishwarya and Abhishek have been pillars of love and dedication in Bollywood’s frenzied world for almost a decade. They’ve endured storms, experienced victories, and created a lovely family with their daughter Aaradhya.