South Indian cinema integral part of career: Aishwarya Rai

She is one of the biggest stars in Bollywood but Aishwarya Rai Bachchan says that her stint in the Tamil film industry is an important part of her career and a great learning experience.
   
The 36-year-old actress may have reached the very top of the industry, but says that working with ace Tamil director Shankar in Jeans "taught" her a lot.
   
"Working in Jeans remains an integral part. It taught me so much technically and content wise and now I am having a wonderful time working in Enthiran (the sci-fi flick starring Tamil superstar Rajnikanth, directed by Shankar)," said the actress.

In one of her rare public appearances in this southern metropolis last evening, Ash, as she is fondly known among her fans, lauded Shankar saying that "he makes incredible movies."

The Guru star, who is now working in her third project with celebrated filmmaker Mani Ratnam in Ravana started off her address in chaste Tamil, greeting the audience but soon switched over to English.

Veteran Tamil directors K Balachander and Bharathirajaa, both of whom are credited with redefining the content of Tamil cinema with their revolutionary and rustic subjects, share the screen space for the first time in the film, being directed by Shankar's associate Thamira.