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Flying visit

Mani Ratnam likes to shoot his films in complete isolation and at a stretch, without interruptions, but he allowed Aishwarya Rai Bachchan to zip back to Mumbai to be with her father, Krishnaraj Rai on his 70th birthday.

Aishwarya is shooting for his film, Raavan, in the jungles of Cochin. Aishwarya also took the opportunity to fulfill a longstanding commitment for an endorsement before flying back to Cochin to resume shooting. Our source close to the film’s unit said, “When Mani heard that it was her father's birthday, he let Aishwarya go to Mumbai without a second thought.” Frail, but stable, Krishnaraj Rai got the surprise of his life when his daughter showed up at the special family reunion on his birthday. Talking about the birthday celebrations, our source said, “There was no party because of Krishnaraj’s frail health. Only the immediate family was present and of course, the in-laws, Amitabh and Jaya Bachchan.” Abhishek couldn't make it for the birthday. He said, “I would have loved to be there. Aishwarya's parents are not my in-laws, but a second set of parents that God has blessed me with.”

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