Aishwarya Rai has been shooting non-stop for her first full-fledged English film "The Last Legion" in Tunisia, as director J.P. Dutta waits for her return next month to start shooting for "Umrao Jaan".

But there seems to be a bit of problem there. Ash won't be back in time to start "Umrao Jaan" on schedule.

Says Dutta: "It is not her fault at all. Apparently, the shooting of her foreign film is behind schedule. And there will probably be a delay of a week. It's a routine delay and one for which she is in no way responsible.

"Her contract for the foreign film clearly states that there can be a spillover in the shooting dates. She has no choice but to stay back.

"But that really puts me in a fix. How do I start the film without Ash? There is no 'Umrao Jaan' without Umrao! It is like Agra without the Taj Mahal."

Has JP spoken to Ash?

"She had called for Ganesh Chaturthi. About the dates? No! Her secretary has been in touch and he has informed me of the inevitable delay. We are trying to work out a solution. But it looks like I will have to start building my Agra without the Taj Mahal."