She's been off the big screen for two years, since her last cinematic outing in 2010's Guzaarish, and as the 38-year-old showed during her recent visit to Dubai for the World Cup, she's clearly in no rush to lose the baby weight after giving birth to daughter, Aaradhya five months ago.
But whilst fellow new mum, Lara Dutta, last week revealed that she's ready to get back to work, tweeting, "Back to hearing scripts and making decisions. Exciting things to look forward to!" Ash has stayed tight-lipped on her career plans, instead signing huge deals to act as a brand ambassador for a variety of endorsement deals, that will net her the easy money that months on a film won't.
Scene reveals how Ash's life and priorities have changed since the arrival of Beti B, and how she just might be done with movies for good.
‘She's watching Lolo's comeback carefully'
"Although you can't compare the amount of time Karisma Kapoor took off from the industry with how long Ash has been away, she's still keeping an eye on how audiences react to Lolo's comeback," insisted one Bollywood insider. "Ash wants to know if her audience has missed her enough, or whether she should take longer off to build more hype."
But even then, sources have spilled that Ash's love for the industry has waned as she has been forced to endure snarky comments from Kareena Kapoor about her Heroine role, and critics continue to lavish praise on Vidya Balan's turn in Parineeta - a role originally destined for Ash - after a recent re-screening of director, Chopra's classic.
"With a gorgeous face like Ash's it wouldn't be tough for anyone to believe in her as Lolita, the girl who had two handsome men vying for her affections," said one, during the recent Chopra retrospective. "But the beauty queen's limited acting skills wouldn't bring out the softness, the sensuality and the sentiments of the character, like Vidya did."
Can no longer handle the catfights
With no love lost between the Bachchan and Kapoor clans, it's no surprise that as the release date for the hugely anticipated Heroine draws closer, that the claws would start to come out over who the lead role was originally intended for.
With Ash taking on the role, but then dropping out after falling pregnant, Bebo stepped in to replace her. But Kareena's recent comments about taking on the part, appear to be aimed at putting Ash firmly in her place.
"Madhur and the film corporation were very keen that I should be in Heroine," insisted the 31-year-old star. "The film was written for me originally!"
"Kareena is definitely trying to get Ash's back up," spilled a movie mole. "Something she's very good at. Heroine has ‘hit movie' written all over it, so Kareena doesn't want people to think that she took on a role Aishwarya had discarded. She's making it known it was she who was in control all along."
Cashing in without the hard work
Keen to spend as much time with her baby daughter as she can, insiders say that Ash is looking for easy ways to make money. And inking a Dh7.2 million deal to be the face of Kalyan Jewellers, along with father-in-law, Amitabh, has made Ash one of Bollywood's biggest endorsement ambassadors, along with her deals with L'Oreal and Longines.
"It's a big deal for the company who want to cash in on Ash's new-mum glow and, of course, Amitabh's position as a Bollywood legend," spilled a friend. "They demanded and got the pay cheque they wanted. The Bachchans know what they're worth."
And as a global face of L'Oreal, Ash will likely jet to this year's Cannes film festival in May to represent the beauty brand, making sure she doesn't bump into the Heroine gang, who are rumoured to be attending.
"I would love to be [a part of Cannes]," Arjun Rampal said last week. "That is a film that deserves to be there. If Heroine can be showcased there, it will be great."
Wants to focus on Aaradhya
After years of yo-yo dieting and being forced to keep her naturally curvy shape industry-thin, Aishwarya has appeared to revel in the freedom motherhood has given her when it comes to her figure.
"Ash is in no hurry to lose the baby weight," spilled an insider. "For the first time in a very long time she eats what she wants and doesn't deny herself treats that for so many years she has had to."
Meanwhile husband, Abhi, has revealed that he's not pressuring Ash into doing anything she doesn't want to, last week insisting, "Currently she is very happy doing what she is doing."
And Ash is said to be enjoying new motherhood so much, that she's not bothering to regain her pre-baby body - as she's already planning her second.
"[My] source reveals that Ash is "extremely keen" to have another baby soon," insists Rajeev Masand. "[She's] a hands-on mum who does everything, from changing her baby's diapers and bathing the little one to putting her to bed without any help from the [staff]."
