It was a match made on earth, rather than in heaven; fuelled more by controversy than by passion. In fact, it was the kind of love story that had a foregone conclusion. The Aishwarya Rai-Vivek Oberoi love story reached this conclusion six months ago. A close friend of Aishwarya Rai confirms it: “They broke up six months ago.”

Ash admirers have always wanted to know more about her relationship with Vivek Oberoi. But their curiosity has rarely been whetted. “I have always maintained silence about my personal life and I won't make an exception this time,” was Aishwarya's standard response, to any personal question.

The farthest Aishwarya would go, when asked about her public appearances with Vivek Oberoi, was, “Vivek is a very good friend.” Beyond that, she remained politically correct, never acknowledging his presence or importance in her life. Recently when the media splashed the Ash-Vivek split story, she was disappointed. “It hurts her when she reads one-sided stories and it is very easy to get away with such stories because she won't react to allegations,” says a close associate of Ash.

So, this time, we made sure to get her version. We cornered a friend of hers who has known Aishwarya Rai for 16 years. Ash discussed her anxieties with our source. Now our source gives us Ash's version.

Allegation: Though Vivek bailed Ash out from Salman Khan, she refused to acknowledge his special importance in her life and treated him like a stranger.
Clarification: She has always stood by Vivek as a friend. They've attended award shows and charitable functions as a couple, travelled together in India and abroad and has also worked together in Kyon... Ho Gaya Na, which was directed by Vivek's friend Sameer Karnick.

Allegation: Ash's family disliked Vivek Oberoi and didn't wan't her to marry him
Clarification: She is fond of her family and will not speak about them, primarilybecause she fears being misinterpreted by the media. But Vivek and Ash's families never had any issues. Ash takes all her decisions herself and her family doesn't interfere in her personal life.

Allegation: Though she claims that the relationship was over six months ago, she still met Vivek and kept in touch with him. She even came to his house this November for dinner before leaving for Umrao Jaan.
Clarification: Ash had categorically told Vivek that she is not going to marry him. There was a huge miscommunication when an electronic channel flashed the news that Vivek was getting married by the end of this year. Ash was offended with the statement because she doesn't discuss her private life with the media. Later Vivek apologised to Ash and things were fine again. But Ash has always been sure that she will never marry Vivek. Yes, she did visit Vivek's house before leaving for Jaipur, because she is fond of his family and she had been invited bythe Oberois.

Allegation: She promised to attend the premiere show of Home Delivery but didn't turn up. She refused to be with Vivek when he needed her the most.
Clarification: She never promised that she would attend the premiere show. She said that she'd try. And she really tried. Ash was working day and night and due to Mr. Bachchan's illness, her shooting got delayed. So she had to finish all her solo shots during the period. Much later Abhishek Bachchan joined the unit. Moreover she didn't get any 'formal' invite from director Sujoy Ghosh and no one discussed her flight timings with her business manager. How do you expect Aishwarya to fly without making any arrangements for her?