Aishwarya Rai defended by Vivek Oberoi in IIFA ceremony

It’s no surprise that Vivek Oberoi’s ex flame Aishwarya Rai didn’t show up at the IIFA Awards 2010 as her father-in-law himself had sidelined the show owing to protests and turmoil despite him being the brand ambassador.

But when a certain Salman Khan spat sarcasm at Amitabh, Abhishek and Aishwaray Rai Bachchan for not supporting the people in times of adversity, Vivek directly defended them even boldly taking their names.

Speaking to the reporters, Vivek went outspoken and said,

“You have to respect the fact that people have work for which they sometimes cannot turn up at events. It happens to each one of us. I know everyone wanted to see the Bachchan family in Colombo. They are being missed by the people of Sri Lanka as well as by everyone of us. Abhishek and Aishwarya have a film up for release and, trust me, there is a lot of work and stress during a release (of Raavan). So, give them a respite. I’m sure they would be missing being here too.”

So, what prompted Vivek to go ahead and take such a strong stance for someone who has always cold shouldered him? People may call it a gimmick or a bold publicity stint (and it may very well be so) but more than that the likelihood points towards the theorem that he’s desperate to regain a warm cordial relationship with the biggies like Ash or Salman.

He has been trying to leave no stone unturned to salvage something out of his sinking career and, while I am typing this article out, he must be hoping that the Bachchan brigade do acknowledge and appreciate his gestures.