Goodbye Ms. Rai, Hello Mrs. Bachchan

Updated Fri. Apr. 27 2007

Associated Press

NEW DELHI -- Aishwarya Rai, Bollywood's hottest bride, will take her new husband's famous surname to become Aishwarya Bachchan.

Rai, who married Abhishek Bachchan last weekend in a gala affair dubbed "the wedding of the century," has already signed an autograph as Aishwarya Bachchan, said her father-in-law, Indian superstar actor Amitabh Bachchan.

"She desires to use Bachchan as her surname," he told The Times of India in an interview published Thursday.

The marriage of Rai and Abhishek Bachchan, two of Bollywood's biggest stars, has captivated the media for months. The couple were engaged in a private ceremony in January.

Rai, 33, became famous when she was crowned Miss World in 1994. She has acted in more than 30 movies and is the brand ambassador for leading cosmetic companies. Rai and her new husband, 31, have appeared together in several films.

Amitabh Bachchan denied reports that photos of the wedding had been sold to a foreign magazine.

"No such offer has come and even if it did, we would reject it," he said.

Bachchan said the young couple would move in with him and his wife, Jaya, instead of getting a home of their own.

"This decision came voluntarily from Abhishek and Aishwarya," he said.

Jaya Bachchan is a famous actress who largely stopped working in films after getting married.

As for his daughter-in-law's career, Bachchan said he hopes she'll continue starring in movies.

"Jaya and I have insisted that Aishwarya must continue with her acting career," he said. "There is no problem or issue with us."

Rai's screen credits include 2004's "Bride & Prejudice," directed by Gurinder Chadha.