Yash Chopra talked me into joining films, says Aishwarya Rai

A brilliant student who wanted to become an architect by profession, joined the Indian film industry after winning the Miss World paegant - Aishwarya Rai Bachchan credited her entry into Bollywood to the 'King of Romance' - Yash Raj Chopra.

The actress and mother spoke to the media on November 14, which is also celebrated as Children's Day. She was attending an event organised by a not-for-profit organisation - Magic Bus.

She paid tribute to the producer and director with whom she had worked in 'Mohabbatein' and 'Dhoom 2'. She also featured in the hit item number 'Kajra re' in 'Bunty Aur Babli', another film that was produced by the Yash Raj Films.

She said: "Yashji is very special to me because he is one of the reasons that I am in the film industry. He is one of the main reasons because he is the one who kept talking to me for two years before I joined the industry, to convince me," the 39-year-old actress said.

She added: "Today, of course, I am married to Abhishek (Bachchan) and part of the family and he (Yashji) used to say that 'Ab toh tum bahu ban gayi ho' (Now you are like my daughter-in-law), so that is how personal it was. He has a very special place in my heart and my life."

"He always used to tease me, he used to say become an architect, design my sets and then you will definitely come in front of the camera, I'll see to it. So he is just such a special person even to me."

If Ash was indeed hunting for a special director who could have added that extra something into her comeback film - she wouldn't have found anyone better than Yash Chopra. But alas! that's not to be any more.

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