India’s prime beauty Aishwarya Rai is expected to star with Hollywood veteran Michael Douglas in his next adventure film Racing the Monsoon. Douglas will co-produce the film with Sahara One Motion Pictures and Percept Picture Company and play one of the co-conspirators in the action movie about a diamond heist aboard a train. The film will be shot entirely in India, especially in Sahara’s extensive Amby Valley township.

According to IANS, former Miss World Aishwarya confirmed her participation in the third part of an adventure series Romancing the Stone andJewel of the Nile which hit screens 20 years ago.

“I don’t want to shoot my mouth off now and end up looking foolish. Right now I’m looking forward to the release of Shabd, nothing else,” said the 31-year-old Bride and Prejudice star.

“But yes, as of now I’ve got the script. And as things stand right now, yes, I’m doing it. Let’s see what happens during the course of the year,” Aishwarya told the news service.

“Aishwarya and I met in Los Angeles last year – some months ago – where it was discussed we should work together. Hope things work out,” said 60-year-old Douglas during his visit to Mumbai to settle matters related to Racing the Monsoon.

“Right now we’re developing the screenplay and hope to begin production in early 2006,” reported The Times of India.

“I’ve seen bits of Bride and Prejudice and Raincoat starring Aishwarya, but I must admit I’m no expert on Indian films or Bollywood,” Douglas added.

The veteran US actor who will be back in India to scout for locations and discuss pre-production details during the course of 2005, said he would also bring his wife, Catherine Zeta-Jones, for the shooting, as “she has always wanted to visit India”.