In two interviews with the Indian press this week, Aishwarya Rai talks about the experience of filming BRIDE AND PREJUDICE. First, from the Hindustan Times:

Chadha thinks Aishwarya is going to erupt on the international scene with Bride and Prejudice. The observation is rewarded with a trademark Aishwarya giggle.

“Gurinder is very, very sweet. We had such a fabulous time filming Bride and Prejudice. I love Gurinder’s energy. It’s just perfect for her genre of filmmaking. On the sets, she was very, very sure about what she wanted from her cast and crew.

“At the same time she was so wacky and fun-filled. These qualities went a long way into giving both Bend It Like Beckham and Bride and Prejudice their unique quality. She’s a very strong woman and a good friend.”

The second is from the Times of India, and includes a nice photo of Ash with her co-star, Martin Henderson.

How was the experience of working with an international crew in Bride & Prejudice?

Bride & Prejudice marks a coming together of talent from across the world. Gurinder Chaddha is Indian when it comes to understanding our culture and ethos, but she is a British film-maker. The actors in the film are from different parts of the globe, but all of us came together and belong to this one movie.

In this respect, Bride & Prejudice has shaped up beautifully with each artiste bringing his or her special touch to the film.

Here is another photo of Ash and Martin that just HAS to be the Netherfield Ball scene, or whatever that will turn into in this film.

Mary writes to tell us of a link she found at The Republic of Pemberley. Basildon Park in Berkshire, a National Trust property constructed in 1776, has been chosen as the shooting location for Netherfield in PRIDE AND PREJUDICE. The demands of the production will shut down the interior of the house to visitors from the end of August through mid-October.

Take the online virtual house tour; it’s quite a magnificent property.

Thanks for the heads-up, Mary!

In other P&P3 shooting news, KeiraWeb.com reports that shooting at Groombridge Place will continue through August 28th and then return to Burghley House and Stamford for ten days.

KeiraWeb.com also pointed us to new on-set pics of Keira Knightley in costume at kkwavefront.org (actual photos at lime-light.org).

And finally, Kirsty of Boblog caught a little P&P3 filming excitement at first-hand the other day, more or less.

For those of our readers who, like the AustenBlog staff, enjoy the Jane Austen Mysteries series by Stephanie Barron, we have discovered that amazon.com lists the publication date for the next book in the series, Jane and His Lordship’s Legacy, as March 1, 2005. Amazon.co.uk lists the same publication date for the U.K. as well.