New Delhi:
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan was in Delhi with Abhishek to receive an award from the French government but asked that the ceremony be postponed in the wake of the Mumbai blasts. The 37 year old actress was to accept the Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters (Chevalier dans l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres), and was accompanied by family including father-in-law Amitabh Bachchan.
As news of the blasts broke, Ash said, "This isn't the time to celebrate. Me and my family felt it was correct to request the French ambassador to postpone the ceremony to some other time". This is the second time she has been unable to collect this award - in 2008, she had to ask it be postponed because her father was unwell.
Expressing shock over the three blasts in Mumbai Ash said, "We are very shocked with the news of the blast. Our prayers are with the people affected. It is important for us Indians to stand strong and tell the perpetrators of terrorism that they cannot shake us. We believe that justice will be done. We pray for the victims and their families."
Aishwarya's appearance at the award ceremony was highly anticipated since it would have been only her second public outing since her news of her pregnancy broke.
Last month, Aishwarya and Abhishek were seen at a special screening of X Men: First Class. Otherwise, the Bachchan bahu has mostly stayed indoors since news of her pregnancy became public, leading to controversy over the fate of her next film, Heroine. She was eventually dropped from the film which may now be made with another actress.
As news of the blasts broke, Ash said, "This isn't the time to celebrate. Me and my family felt it was correct to request the French ambassador to postpone the ceremony to some other time". This is the second time she has been unable to collect this award - in 2008, she had to ask it be postponed because her father was unwell.
Expressing shock over the three blasts in Mumbai Ash said, "We are very shocked with the news of the blast. Our prayers are with the people affected. It is important for us Indians to stand strong and tell the perpetrators of terrorism that they cannot shake us. We believe that justice will be done. We pray for the victims and their families."
Aishwarya's appearance at the award ceremony was highly anticipated since it would have been only her second public outing since her news of her pregnancy broke.
Last month, Aishwarya and Abhishek were seen at a special screening of X Men: First Class. Otherwise, the Bachchan bahu has mostly stayed indoors since news of her pregnancy became public, leading to controversy over the fate of her next film, Heroine. She was eventually dropped from the film which may now be made with another actress.
