Will pregnancy affect Aishwarya Rai's career?

On October 31, 2009, two days before she turned 36, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan said, "Being pregnant is not something one can conceal. When I am pregnant, the world will know. This is not the news that one can hide." She laughed and added, "When I was on the Oprah Winfrey show, I even told her that every time there is even a bump, it is assumed that I'm with child." 

Around 10.15 pm on June 21, 2011, an ecstatic Amitabh Bachchan confirmed the news of his daughter-in-law's pregnancy when he tweeted, "News News News!!! I am going to become grandfather. Aishwarya is expecting. So happy and thrilled!!!"

Since the Abhishek Bachchan-Aishwarya Rai marriage on April 20, 2007, there has been constant speculation about the former Miss World's pregnancy. Now that it is confirmed that Ash will soon be a mum, the grapevine can rest easy. A test was reportedly done to determine that she was with child at the Seven Hills Hospital in aMumbai suburb. And soon after the pregnancy was confirmed, the Bachchans were flooded with congratulatory messages from friends, well-wishers and fans on social networking sites.

Now the next big question is: 'what happens to Ash's films; Madhur Bhandarkar's Heroine and Raj Kumar Santoshi's Ladies and Gentleman?'

A source says, "Ash will definitely complete Madhur's film."TOI learnt that Madhur has barely finished six days shooting with Ash. And his film is not about to completed in a hurry. We also hear from unit hands that Ash has put on weight (as is natural in pregnancy). It is now to be seen whether Heroine gets completed on schedule or whether it will be deferred, till Ash returns to the movies after motherhood.

As for Ladies and Gentleman, a romantic comedy with Abhishek and Aishwarya that was closed at a reported 28 crores and meant to go on the floors in October 2011, the heroine of the film will obviously change.

Meanwhile, Amitabh Bachchan released a statement saying, "Jaya and I are delighted at the news. We wish to thank all our friends and well wishers for their affection and seek your blessings and love in the coming days."