After her wedding Aishwarya has cut down on her projects and has become very choosy due to her added family responsibilities. Currently, the actress is busy shooting with hubby Abhishek in Kochi for Mani Ratnam's forthcoming film tentatively titled Raavan, where she also celebrated her birthday. She has had all kinds of birthdays over the years. All good ones, some exceptionally memorable. But, the one this year takes the birthday cake.

So, no parents and no adopted parents (the Bachchans) this birthday. But wait. She is with her husband Abhishek Bachchan. "And so here I am on my birthday with the love of her life," Aishwarya said with girlish pleasure hours after her birthday.

"In a way, I couldn't have asked for more. It's a beautiful green paradise here. We started shooting just a day ago. And we already feel those vibes of an extraordinary happening. And my husband is with me. So is my most favourite director who directed us in in one of our best films together (Guru) and who incidentally also happens to be my first director and we're working on the most beautiful film that we could ever hope for. What better birthday could I as for?"

Any regrets about not being with the family for her special day? "It was just not possible. Mani Sir has been absolutely patient, waiting for me and Abhishek while we attended to pa (Amitabh Bachchan). We started shooting yesterday itself. Any further delay would be totally unacceptable to both Abhishek and me. Both of us have been brought up to believe that work is worship but when it comes to a family crisis, nothing else matters."

The past few months have been extremely trying for Aishwarya. First, her father's illness then her father-in-law's sudden hospitalisation. But she continued to fulfill all her professional obligations.

She sighs, "You know the best thing is, through all these trying times all my professional associates and colleagues have been a source of strength and courage. There was never this feeling of, 'You better do it'. It was always a sense of, 'Are you sure you can do it?'. I've derived great strength and sustenance from family friends and colleagues. And I want to take this opportunity to thank them from the bottom of my heart. Their love and prayers have kept me going through the last few months."

So what's the one gift that she wants this birthday? "Ha," laughs the lovely diva, "You know me. I don't ask for anything. I already have everything that I could possibly want without asking for. And like I said I'm with the love of my life in the wilderness."

"Sadly, no one will be able to get through to me where I'm shooting. But all the SMSes, prayers and love will be with me . Yeah, I miss my family on my birthday. But then I can't have it all, can I?"