Aishwarya Rai Bachchan's 'Heroine' put on hold

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan's forthcoming movie Heroine has been put on hold.

News of the postponement follows an announcement made earlier this month that the actress is expecting her first child with husband Abhishek Bachchan. The baby is due in November.

"At this point, nothing is more important than Aishwarya's well-being and good health," UTV Motion Pictures said in a statement.

"In that context, we have all mutually agreed that the best step would be to avoid shooting further, rather than proceeding with an incredibly demanding schedule over the coming months.

"Even as we will truly miss this opportunity to work with Aishwarya, the entire unit wishes her the very best for the exciting time ahead as she and Abhishek move into this special new phase in their lives."

Rai Bachchan had already begun work on the Madhur Bhandukar-directed project, which is reportedly inspired by the colourful lives of major Hollywood movie stars including Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor.

Speculation had been mounting that the film would either be delayed or shelved as a result of the star's pregnancy.

Anonymous production sources had also expressed concern that the "dark and stark" subject nature of the script could be tough for Rai Bachchan.