MUMBAI:

Refuting rumours about other Bollywood actors being offered a role in Pink Panther 2, its casting director Ilene Starger said they only considered Aishwarya Rai.

“Most emphatically, we did not offer the role to anyone other than Aishwarya! She was, when I first read the script, the actress I envisioned for the role,” said Starger. Aishwarya shot for a day with Steve Martin and Andy Garcia in Paris for the film by Harold Zwart. “Her intelligence, grace, beauty and sophistication are just what the role requires. And, of course, she has a touch of mystery too. She fits in wonderfully with our fantastic ensemble cast, and all of us involved with the film are thrilled to work with her.” Rumours had it that Celina Jaitley was offered the role first but rejected it. However, Aishwarya’s international manager Simone Sheffield dismisses the reports.