“Aishwarya Rai : Miss World, Bollywood icon. Elegance personified, global beauty ambassador, renowned for philanthropy. Explore her extraordinary career.”
Born Name : Aishwarya Rai
Born : 1 November 1973 (age 50)
Place : Mangalore, Karnataka, India
Alma mater :
University of Mumbai
Occupation : Actress
Years active : 1991– Present
Title :
Miss World 1994
Spouse :
Abhishek Bachchan (M. 2007)
Children : 01
Family :
Bachchan family (by marriage)
Honours :
Padma Shri (2009)
About
Aishwarya Rai born on November 1, 1973, is a renowned Indian actress celebrated for her work in Hindi and Tamil films. Crowned Miss World in 1994, she has become a prominent figure in the Indian entertainment industry, earning accolades such as the Padma Shri and the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres.
Beginning her career with modeling and the Miss India pageant, Aishwarya gained international fame with her debut in the Tamil film “Iruvar” (1997) and Hindi film “Aur Pyaar Ho Gaya” (1997). Notable successes include “Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam” (1999), “Devdas” (2002), and “Guru” (2007).
Recognized for her diverse roles, Aishwarya excelled in films like “Kandukondain Kandukondain” (2000), “Chokher Bali” (2003), and “Guzaarish” (2010). She married actor Abhishek Bachchan in 2007, and they have a daughter. A Goodwill Ambassador for UNAIDS, she engages in charitable work.
Born in Mangalore, Aishwarya Rai pursued education in Mumbai, excelling academically and initially considering a career in medicine. Her interests shifted to architecture before she ventured into modeling, catching attention for her unique features.
Early Life
Aishwarya Rai, born on November 1, 1973, originates from a Tulu-speaking Bunt Hindu family in Mangalore, Karnataka. Her father, Krishnaraj, an army biologist, and her mother, Vrinda, a homemaker, shaped her early years. With an elder brother, Aditya Rai, an engineer in the merchant navy, family played a pivotal role in Aishwarya’s upbringing.
The family’s relocation to Mumbai, driven by her father’s job transfer, led Aishwarya to attend Arya Vidya Mandir High School, Jai Hind College, and D. G. Ruparel College, achieving academic excellence. Fluent in Tulu, Hindi, and English, Aishwarya initially aspired to pursue a career in medicine and later contemplated architecture.
However, captivated by the world of modeling, she decided to forego her education. Aishwarya’s distinctive features, noticed during her college days, attracted photographers Gautam Rajadhyaksha and Farrokh Chothia, propelling her into the world of advertisements and commercials. This marked the beginning of her journey towards becoming one of the most iconic figures in the Indian entertainment industry.
Conjugal Life
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan’s conjugal life began when she married actor Abhishek Bachchan on April 20, 2007, in a grand ceremony attended by industry luminaries and public figures.
The couple’s relationship blossomed on the sets of films like “Dhaai Akshar Prem Ke” and “Kuch Naa Kaho,” leading to a deep connection. Their union is celebrated not only for their shared professional interests but also for the evident affection they display.
In 2011, Aishwarya and Abhishek welcomed their daughter, Aaradhya Bachchan, adding joy to their family. Despite being private about their personal life, the couple occasionally shares glimpses of their happiness through social media.
Aishwarya and Abhishek’s partnership extends beyond the realms of cinema, with joint appearances at events and support for charitable causes. Together, they form one of Bollywood’s power couples, admired for their enduring love and commitment amidst the glamour of the film industry.
Career
Modelling work and acting breakthrough (1991–1999)
In 1991, Aishwarya Rai gained global recognition by winning an international supermodel contest organized by Ford, resulting in her feature in the American edition of Vogue magazine.
Her fame skyrocketed in 1993 after appearing in a Pepsi commercial alongside Aamir Khan and Mahima Chaudhry, where her iconic line “Hi, I’m Sanjana” became a sensation.
The turning point in Aishwarya’s career came in the 1994 Miss India pageant, where she secured the second position and was crowned “Miss India World.” This triumph propelled her to the Miss World pageant in South Africa, where she clinched the title.
Aishwarya’s acting journey commenced with her debut in Mani Ratnam’s Tamil film “Iruvar” (1997) and her Bollywood debut in “Aur Pyaar Ho Gaya” (1997). Despite initial criticisms, she went on to achieve significant success with films like “Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam” (1999) and “Taal” (1999), earning her accolades and Filmfare Awards.
Established actress (2000–2008)
In the year 2000, Aishwarya Rai played the lead role in the Tamil film “Kandukondain Kandukondain,” an adaptation of Jane Austen’s “Sense and Sensibility,” directed by Rajiv Menon. The film, featuring Mammooty, Tabu, and Ajith Kumar, received both critical acclaim and commercial success. Rai’s portrayal of Meenakshi earned positive comments, with The Indian Express praising her perfect blend of innocence in the role.
Moving to 2001, Rai starred in the romantic comedy “Albela” alongside Govinda and Jackie Shroff. However, the film received negative reviews, with criticism directed at Rai’s performance being labeled as “plastic” in certain scenes by Taran Adarsh of Bollywood Hungama.
The year 2002 marked Rai’s lead role as Paro in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s period romantic drama “Devdas,” alongside Shah Rukh Khan. The film was a major international success and won numerous awards, including ten Filmfare Awards. Rai earned her second Best Actress award for her exceptional performance.
Post-“Devdas,” Rai returned to mainstream Hindi cinema with various releases, including “Dil Ka Rishta” and “Kuch Naa Kaho” in 2003, and the critically acclaimed “Chokher Bali,” a Bengali film directed by Rituparno Ghosh. The latter showcased Rai’s versatility and garnered both critical and commercial success.
In 2004, Rai took on diverse roles, featuring in “Khakee,” an action thriller, and the romantic comedy “Kyun! Ho Gaya Na…” Despite the films receiving mixed reviews and commercial outcomes, Rai continued to showcase her acting prowess.
Internationally, Aishwarya Rai gained recognition for her role in Gurinder Chadha’s British film “Bride and Prejudice” (2004), a Bollywood-style adaptation of Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice.” The film proved to be a commercial success, grossing $24 million worldwide.
In 2005, Aishwarya Rai starred in the adult drama “Shabd” alongside Sanjay Dutt and Zayed Khan. The film, exploring themes of an author’s unconventional research for his book, received negative reviews and failed commercially. Rai’s performance was acknowledged for her stunning appearance, but the film’s overall impact was criticized.
In 2006, Rai had two releases, “Umrao Jaan” and “Dhoom 2.” “Umrao Jaan,” an adaptation of Mirza Hadi Ruswa’s Urdu novel, faced criticism for both the film and Rai’s performance. However, “Dhoom 2,” featuring an ensemble cast, including Hrithik Roshan and Abhishek Bachchan, became a major commercial success, marking Rai’s return to box-office prominence.
The following year, in 2007, Rai played a significant role in Mani Ratnam’s “Guru,” a biographical drama based on the life of businessman Dhirubhai Ambani. The film received critical acclaim and was a box-office success. Rai’s portrayal earned her a seventh Best Actress nomination at the Filmfare Awards.
In 2008, Rai achieved both critical and box-office success with Ashutosh Gowariker’s “Jodhaa Akbar,” a period romantic drama depicting the marriage of convenience between Mughal emperor Akbar and Rajput princess Jodha Bai. Rai’s restrained and expressive performance earned praise, and the film garnered substantial earnings.
Aishwarya Rai’s career showcased versatility, from challenging roles to successful commercial ventures, establishing her as a prominent figure in Indian cinema.
Career fluctuations and sabbatical (2009–2016)
In 2009, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan took on the role of Sonia Solandres in the spy comedy “The Pink Panther 2,” directed by Harald Zwart. Starring alongside Steve Martin, Jean Reno, and Emily Mortimer, she portrayed a seductive criminology expert.
Although the sequel received negative reviews, it achieved moderate success at the American box office, grossing $34 million. Reviewers criticized Rai Bachchan’s underutilization and wooden expressions.
In 2010, Mani Ratnam cast Rai Bachchan in his Tamil film, a modern-day adaptation of the Indian epic Ramayana. She played the role of Ragini, a woman kidnapped by a bandit, in both the Tamil version “Raavanan” and the Hindi version “Raavan.” While the Tamil version was a commercial success, the Hindi version faced failure. Reviews for Rai Bachchan’s performance were polarized, with some praising her heartfelt portrayal, while others criticized her character’s portrayal.
In 2011, she was initially cast as the protagonist in Madhur Bhandarkar’s “Heroine” but had to step down due to pregnancy, and Kareena Kapoor took on the role.
After a five-year break, Rai Bachchan returned with Sanjay Gupta’s drama-thriller “Jazbaa” in 2015, where she played the role of Anuradha Verma, a criminal lawyer. While the film faced criticism for unnecessary melodrama, Rai Bachchan’s performance received mixed reviews.
In 2016, she starred in Omung Kumar’s biographical drama “Sarbjit,” portraying the sister of Indian farmer Sarabjit Singh. The film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, and despite some criticism for miscasting, Rai Bachchan’s performance was noted in quieter scenes. The film earned over ₹440 million (US$5.5 million) worldwide.
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan’s career continued to display versatility, from spy comedies to epic dramas, contributing to her significant presence in the Indian film industry.
Personal life
In 1999, Aishwarya Rai began dating Salman Khan, with their relationship often making headlines until their 2002 separation. Citing “abuse (verbal, physical, and emotional), infidelity, and indignity” as reasons for the split. Later, she had a romance with actor Vivek Oberoi, which ended in 2005.
Actor Abhishek Bachchan fell in love with Rai during the filming of Dhoom 2. They got engaged on January 14, 2007, and their marriage, celebrated with Hindu rites, took place on April 20, 2007. Described as a supercouple by the media, they share a close bond.
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, a devout Hindu, is deeply religious and has a strong connection with her family. She lived with them in Bandra, Mumbai, until her marriage.
The couple attended prestigious events such as the Cannes Film Festival and The Oprah Winfrey Show together. Rai Bachchan holds the distinction of being the first Indian celebrity to appear on The Oprah Winfrey Show twice. They attended the 83rd Academy Awards together.
The couple welcomed their daughter on November 16, 2011. In July 2020, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and her daughter tested positive for COVID-19, leading to hospitalization. Fortunately, they recovered and were discharged on July 27, 2020.
