'The way Abhishek Bachchan treated Aishwarya Rai during their courtship while shooting Guru was beautiful to see,' recalls Arya Babbar

Aarya Babbar entered Bollywood with 'Ab Ke Baras' in 2002 and later featured in films like 'Tees Maar Khan', 'Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola' and 'Guru'. Despite being a part of such big movies, Aarya did not see stardom and offers that he expected. In a recent interview, he opened up on his movie experiences and admitted that box office results are not always within an actor’s control. However, he remains remarkably resilient, emphasizing that true artistic satisfaction comes from personal growth and giving his absolute best to every single performance.

“If a film doesn’t work, it doesn’t work. There is nothing you can do about it. A filmmaker has a vision, and sometimes the audience at that time does not connect with that vision. Sometimes, audiences begin appreciating a film years later. I did Tees Maar Khan with Farah Khan ji. The film did not work when it released, and we had a lot of expectations from it. But today, that film is loved by many people," he said in an interview with Vickey Lalwani.

Aarya further explained that timing often plays a major role in a film’s fate. “All the other films that did not work — perhaps audiences at that point did not want to watch that kind of cinema,” he said.

Discussing Guru, directed by Mani Ratnam and headlined by Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai, Aarya acknowledged the film’s importance while also pointing out that success is never automatic. “As far as Guru is concerned, it did not make Abhishek Bachchan an overnight star, so how would it make me one?” he said with a laugh. “But Guru is one of the best works in Abhishek’s career, and Abhishek is a fantastic human being to work with.”

The actor also opened up about interacting with Abhishek and Aishwarya around the period when their relationship was beginning to blossom. “I had the chance to interact with Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya during the time when perhaps their courtship was going on, before they tied the knot. It was so beautiful to see how he treated his lady, how he respected her and loved her,” Aarya shared.

“To watch him perform while Mani Ratnam sir directed me — I could not have asked for a better opportunity.” Guru is often associated with the period when Abhishek and Aishwarya’s relationship became stronger. Although the pair had worked together earlier in 'Dhai Akshar Prem Ke' and 'Kuch Naa Kaho', it was during Umrao Jaan and Guru that their bond reportedly deepened.

Abhishek eventually proposed to Aishwarya in New York following the premiere of Guru in 2007. In a past interview, he revealed that he took her to the balcony of a hotel where he had once imagined sharing a future with her. He proposed with a ring used as a prop in the film — a keepsake he had specifically requested from the makers because it held emotional value for him. Aishwarya accepted instantly.

Years later, speaking about the proposal, Aishwarya said, “He is original and real, like our relationship. There is nothing predictable or boring about our life. We nurture each other. The gesture was spontaneous and meaningful. God has been kind to us. We can certainly afford those standard rocks. But do we need them?”