Aishwarya is a very supportive and encouraging wife: Abhishek

When spotted together it is evident that they are very much in love -- and Bollywood actor Abhishek Bachchan has no qualms in saying that his wife and actress Aishwarya Rai is very supportive and encouraging.

"Aishwarya is very supportive and encouraging. She is a very chilled out person and doesn't take things to heart," Abhishek told IANS.

"People ask me if I changed after marriage. But I just say 'Why should I change?' Aishwarya loves me the way I am and married me for the way I am. Then why should I change at all," he added.

Abhishek and Aishwarya announced their engagement Jan 14, 2007 and the couple tied the knot April 20 that year. The wedding took place in a private ceremony at the Bachchan residence Prateeksha in Juhu, Mumbai, but made headlines everywhere.

It was rumoured that Aishwarya would leave her acting career after marriage, owing to the popular belief that married actresses don't do well in the industry.

But the 36-year-old actress squashed all rumours and continued to be a part of the film industry.

Even her husband Abhishek, 34, feels proud that his wife was able to break the age-old notion. "I feel great about Aishwarya's achievements, I'm very proud of her. Whatever adulation she has got, she truly deserves it," he said.

"I'm happy that she broke the notion that women can't work after marriage. Why are we so regressive in our thinking? If she wants to work, her audience wants to see her. What is people's problem? I as a husband am very happy that she is doing so well. I think she is doing better work now," Abhishek said.

The couple has done many films together before and after their marriage. These include Dhaai Akshar Prem Ke, Kuch Naa Kaho, Umrao Jaan, Dhoom 2, Guru and the recently released Raavan.