Aishwarya Rai's certainly out for the kill abroad - sources say the Oscar organisers have invited her to present a trophy at the awards ceremony Sunday!

"It's a unique honour for an Indian entertainer, and one that Ash shouldn't miss for the world," exults Gurinder Chadha, who directed her in "Bride and Prejudice".

Just one hitch, though. She will be shooting for Chadha's husband Paul Berges' "Mistress Of Spices" on the night before the ceremony.

Aishwarya is currently shooting for the film in Britain. The film's US distributors, the prestigious Miramax, have opted for a large number of prints of "Bride & Prejudice" in the second week.

So will Aishwarya miss this unique moment of glory?

Says Chadha, "Miramax is very keen to get to the Oscars. Frankly, so am I. But the problem is my husband thinks our film is more important. And I agree. Ash's schedule with Paul ends Saturday night.

"We'll try to get her out into the US the same night. I'm attending the Oscars as the date for Sid Ganis, who's the deputy chairperson of the Academy awards and is going to produce my next film 'I Dream Of Jeannie'.

"I hope and pray Ash can make it too. It's a big honour."

On a more humorous note, Chadha rubbishes a story in an Indian daily about her son's marriage to a Japanese girl. "What son? Whose marriage? I don't have a son!" she shoots back incredulously