`Can I get my money back, Abhishek?,’ asks Santoshi

Even though, filmmaker Rajkumar Santoshi had gallantly accepted the news of Aishwarya’s pregnancy, and wished her and Abhishek well, the filmmaker recently turned up at the Bachchan household to ask for the signing amount he had given to the couple for ‘Ladies and Gentlemen’.

Zeenews Bureau

Mumbai: Even though, filmmaker Rajkumar Santoshi had gallantly accepted the news of Aishwarya Rai’s pregnancy, and wished her and Abhishek Bachchan well, the filmmaker recently turned up at the Bachchan household to ask for the signing amount he had given to the couple for ‘Ladies and Gentlemen’. Instead of sending a mail, the filmmaker made a personal visit to the Bachchan residence to ask for the money back. Abhishek and Aishwarya were given Rs 25 laks when they had signed for Santoshi’s ‘Ladies and Gentleman’. Shortly after the film was announced, Aishwarya announced that she was pregnant. While Madhur Bhandarkar went all out lashing Ash for hiding the news from him(remember the ‘Heroine’ episode?), an understanding Santoshi said, “The fact that Aishwarya and Abhishek are going to be parents is far more important than my film. The role will no longer suit her." Which is why when a tabloid spotted the director coming out Jalsa last week, several questions were raised. Sources confirmed later that Santoshi had indeed gone to their residence to ask for the signing amount. Confirming that he has received his Rs 50 lakh signing amount, Santoshi told the tabloid, "But I will make a new film with them, perhaps next year."Meanhwile, Bachchans were apparently not amused by the entire episode, but being a thorough professional, Abhishek immediately returned the amount. Now the question is will Abhi-Ash be interested to work with Santoshi after this episode?