Ash, Abhi promote Raavan

Abhishek Bachchan was joined by wife Aishwarya for the Raavan promotion.

They are the most sought after onscreen and offscreen couple and individual stars, but Abhishek and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan say they would never rate each other professionally.

Having worked in six films together, the couple is going to rub shoulders again for Mani Ratnam's upcoming movie Raavan and analysing each other at work is the last thing on their mind.
"We don't rate each other. We just like working with each other as co-actors," Aishwarya, 36, said.
"Abhishek is a very free actor. He breaks himself free," she added.

"He works as a team member and doesn't act as a male lead or anything of that sort (on work)," added the former Miss World-turned-actress.
"He is a team mate fulfilling his director's vision in every which manner he can and a pleasure to work with," she added.
Her actor-husband chipped in: "We don't criticise our performances."

He further added: "As a wife, Aishwarya has always been equally and completely supportive and more than that as a co-actor, she does everything to make it go right. She does not ever compromise even on her co-star's work."
"(And) as a couple we never bring work home...that's a rule," added the actor.
The pair earlier worked together in films like Dhai Akshar Prem Ke, Kuch Naa Kaho, Umrao Jaan, Dhoom 2, Guru and Sarkar Raj.

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Releasing June 18, Raavan is a bilingual, co-produced by Reliance Big Pictures and Madras Talkies.

In the movie, Abhishek plays outlawed local hero Beera Munda.

He kidnaps Aishwarya (Ragini), wife of Vikram (police officer Dev).

As the story progresses she reportedly develops a soft corner for her abductor.

To promote Raavan actor Abhishek Bachchan hopped to seven locations across the city of Mumbai.

He was overwhelmed to see fans going crazy for him.

He said he never knew that so many people know him.

"I like to promote my films myself. I want to go out to the audience and tell them about the film directly,” said Abhishek.

He added, “It's a good fun. I was shocked by people's response.”

“I never knew that so many people know me. Honestly. I was shocked to see so many people showed up," said Abhishek at a press conference after a day-long tour.

People across the road were seen shouting his names and clicking photographs from their mobile phones.

Aishwarya Rai, who didn't accompany Abhishek during the rally as she was busy in other promotional activities, joined him at the conference.

"I was also busy with other promotional activities. It was decided that Veera (Abhishek) and his troupe would be out,” said Aishwarya.

“So I made sure that at the last stop I will come and join you all and meet you so that's how I am here," she added.

"This was during the course of the day, I was getting photographs. People were clicking and sending me and I realised that it was too much fun," she added.

Raavan features Aishwarya Rai as a dance teacher who is happily married to a policeman, played by Tamil superstar Vikram.

The movie shows how Veera causes mayhem in their lives.

Asked if she planning anything like Abhishek to connect with her audience, she just said, "Wait and watch. There are couple of days for the film to release, so wait and watch".

Abhishek toured the city with an entourage of six dancers dressed as characters in the song Thok di killi from Raavan and attracted crowds.

"This is amazing! Mumbai! You guys are the best. Love all of you," Abhishek posted on his Twitter page during his tour.

"...heading to town for the 'Raavan' tour. Let's see how many Beera lookalikes Mumbai has. Delhi, I'm coming for you tomorrow! Till I get there, gonna blast Beera beera," he added.

The locations on his schedule in Mumbai included - Metro Cinemas (near Churchgate), Kalaghoda, Wilson College, Phoenix Mills, Bandstand, Juhu, Mithibai College, Inorbit Mall (Malad) and Cinemax (Versova).

The actor was also supposed to visit Flora Fountain. However, the sound equipment to be used for the promotion was picked up from the location by police as it is considered a silent zone. So the team skipped the location.

The promotional stint did not cause any traffic jams.