Jaya Bachchan strongly supports Ashu for his outburst at recent Awards

Most of the industry derided Ashutosh Gowariker for his impulsive outburst against Priyanka Chopra. The director spoke up about the merits of PC deserving the Best Actress award at the recently concluded event over Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. Jaya Bachchan even came out strongly in support of her bahu's Jodhaa Akbar director.Eyebrows raised

Several eyebrows were raised at Ashu's mention of Jaya Bachchan on stage, to endorse and substantiate his public objection to Priyanka's trophy.

The forthright Mrs B not only stands up for Gowariker but also gives him a clean chit for mentioning her in his pro-Aishwarya speech.

Nothing against PC

Initially, reluctant to speak on the matter, Jaya makes it clear she has nothing against Priyanka's performance in Fashion, "For all I know, she must be really good in it. I haven't seen Fashion. She's undoubtedly a good actress.

I don't have any objection to her winning the award. But I wonder why Aishwarya's fine performance was ignored. I think she and the Jodhaa-Akbar cinematographer Kiran Deohans richly deserved recognition for their work."

When persuaded, Jaya finally opens up. "It is being presumed that Ashutosh unnecessarily mentioned my name regarding Aishwarya's omission from the awards. The fact is, I suggested he bring up the question on stage.

We were discussing why Aishwarya had not been given any award for Jodhaa-Akbar. I suggested Ashutosh bring up the matter. When he mentioned my name, he wasn't doing anything wrong."

Very strange

Warming up to the subject of Aishwarya's performance in Jodhaa-Akbar, Jaya says, "The entire principal cast and crew of Jodhaa-Akbar have been rightly nominated for the popular awards and have won also. I find it very strange that Aishwarya who lived her part and looked every inch the royal Rajasthani queen in her body language and overall performance was ignored."

Madhur Shocked at Ashu's outburst over Priyanka award win

Ashutosh Gowariker's comments on Priyanka Chopra not deserving the Best Actress award at a recent awards function left the industry shell-shocked.

After Farhan Akhtar told Ashu that his comments were in bad taste that same night, now Priyanka Chopra has found another knight in shining armour Madhur Bhandarkar, for whose film Fashion, PC got the Best Actress award.While Farhan relayed his words personally to Gowariker, Bhandarkar is more vocal, "I'm shocked by what Ashutosh had to say. We're friends. More than us, our wives are very close friends. If he felt this way (about PC being underserving) he should've shared it with me and Priyanka, not spoilt the golden moment for her on stage. Priyanka got EVERY popular award. Doesn't that prove she deserves it?"

Madhur was shocked that the criticism came from Priyanka's own director, "He's working with Priyanka in What's Your Raashee. That makes his outburst more baffling."

While the actress has told friends that Ashu said what he felt and that she holds no grudges, she has apparently made up her mind to finish Raashee and move on quietly.

Says a source, "It's not a good time for Priyanka. Shaayad usski 'raashee' achchi nahin hai. What's Your Raashee? is the toughest role of her career. She has had to play twelve parts. It sapped her. And now after having won every single popular award for Fashion it's a shame that she was publicly told that she didn't deserve the award!

But she won't let this incident sour her mood. In fact, she jokingly told a friend she hopes to be back at the awards with Raashee."