Aishwarya replaces Hema Malini

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Varanasi, Nov 3 (UNI) Doe-eyed Bollywood beauty Aishwarya Rai and Big B Amitabh Bachchan are a big hit with film watchers in Suriname, which is craving to view Ash-starrer 'Umrao Jaan' soon.

''In the past it has been Vaijyanti Mala Bali and Waheeda Rehman who have been a hit with large Hindi film viewers in Suriname.

Later, Hema Malini ruled the roost with Surinamese film-watchers, but of late former Miss World Aishwarya Rai has donned the avtar of 'dream girl' in the country, which has more than 35 per cent population of Indian origin,'' Suriname's ambassador to New Delhi Krishna Dutt Baijnath told mediapersons here last evening.

Among the heroes of Bollywood, evergreen Dev Anand has been a hit in Suriname in the past, but Amitabh Bachchan has now surpassed the popularity of Dev Sahib in the country located on the Northern shore of South America.

Mr Baijnath arrived in the city last evening on a three-day visit.

Speaking over the Ash craze in Suriname, Mr Baijnath said ''We in Suriname eagerly await to see J P Dutta's 'Umrao Jaan' on our TV screens through channels that round the clock telecast Bollywood movies.

The Surinamese film-watchers are eager to see Ash essay the role of famous courtesan of Oudh -- an act done wonderfully by Rekha in the past, Mr Baijnath added.

Throwing light on Ramayan in Suriname, Mr Baijnath said tele-serial Ramayana directed by Ramanand Sagar has been a hit with one and all and not only those of Indian origin, majority of whom belong to East Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.

''Even a Japanese boy in one the schools imitated Lord Ram's character after viewing Arun Govil as Rama in the ever popular tele-serial,'' he maintained.

Mr Baijnath, whose mother hails from the neighbouring Ghazipur district, however, regrets that owing to paucity of time, he cannot visit the land from where his mother's family has originated.

The visiting diplomat was also called upon Banaras Hindu University (BHU) vice-chancellor Panjab Singh later this evening.