Aishwarya Rai will have company at Cannes

First it was just Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Sonam Kapoor, Freida Pinto and Mallika Sherawat who were supposed to represent India on a global platform, by walking the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival that begins this May 11.

Then the news of other B-towners like Saif Ali Khan and Minissha Lamba flying to the French Riviera cropped up. Obviously, everybody was excited at the prospects of an increased Indian presence at the international festival. Now, it turns out that adding to the list will be film-maker Karan Johar, actor Rani Mukerji, fashion designer Sabyasachi Mukerji and filmaker Madhur Bhandarkar.

Sources in the know say that the trio are being flown to Cannes by the same brand that Saif will represent there this year. “Last year they had taken Deepika Padukone and Rohit Bal. The brand apparently wants to be responsible for the maximum Bolly presence at Cannes this year,” says a source.

While most actors are keeping details about their outfits a heavily guarded secret, it has been made known that Sabya will be designing for and styling Rani’s look for the event. “Saif will be there on the 11th. But KJo, Sabya and Rani will be there on the 18th. All of them will be at the festival for just one day. The brand is also hosting an after party there, which Saif will attend. But the trio’s itinerary is not yet finalised,” says the source adding that if things go as planned KJo might even deliver a talk on Indian cinema there. But that’s just the tentative plan.

Abhishek and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan's comedy act in "Ladies And Gentlemen"

Aishwarya Rai and Abhishek have done eight films together. From the irresolute lovers of Dhai Akshar Prem Ke to each other’s tormentors in Raavan, the couple has tried a slew of roles but for a romantic comedy. Well, that’s happening now with producer-director Rajkumar Santoshi’s 'Ladies and Gentlemen'.

In the movie, Abhishek plays a cheating hubby and Aishwarya his wife. Despite having worked with Ash so many times in his acting career, Abhishek says he’s still excited about teaming up with her again especially because this is the first time they will do a comedy film together.

"I have done quite a few films with Aishwarya and I have always enjoyed working with her, even before we were together and married. Ladies and Gentlemen is a romantic comedy, so it's something we have never done before. It will be interesting to see if we have that comic timing," Abhishek is quoted as saying.

Riding high on the success of Dum Maaro Dum Abhishek Bachchan is currently shooting in Russia for Abbas-Mustan's Players. Aishwarya on the other hand is heading to the Cannes film festival.

Ladies and Gentlemen is slated for a 2012 release and is expected to go on the floors in the first week of July.