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Aishwarya Rai (Ash) is one of Bollywood's pre-eminent leading ladies. This Indian darling burst upon the world stage when her striking beauty, poise and commanding intelligence won her the Miss World crown in 1994. This former architecture major soon became one of India's most famous models, landing a prestigious Pepsi campaign and appearing in Vogue magazine. India's top Bollywood directors were soon lining up to work with Ash. Aishwarya Rai's film debut in Mani Rathnam's "Iruvar" (1997) received critical acclaim and her performance in Rahul Rawail's ..."Aur Paar Ho Gaya" (1997) garnered Aishwarya Rai the Best Female Debutante Award. In 2000, Aishwarya Rai was awarded Best Actress by FilmFare and Zee Cine for her work in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's "Hum Dil de Chuke Sanam," and in that same year, nominated for Best Supporting Actress for her special appearance in Aditya Chopra's "Mohabbatein." In 2001, Ash Rai was nominated for FilmFare's Best Actress Award for Satish Kaushik's "Hamara Dil Aapke Paas Hai."
Aishwarya Rai's star continued to rise in 2002 working again with Sajay Leela Bhansali in "Devdas." "Devdas" was the most ambitious and most successful film in Bollywood history. It became the first Bollywood picture to ever receive a special screening at the Cannes Film Festival and broke box-office records in India and the United States. Daily Variety's Derek Elley describes "Devdas" as "...some of the most sumptuous production values in Bollywood history..." Elley describes Ash Rai as "almost Audrey Hepburn-like," Moulin Rouge director Baz Luhrmann says "I loved her in Devdas" and Julia Roberts calls her "the world's most beautiful woman."
2003 brought even more exciting opportunities. Aishwarya Rai became the first Indian actor to be a member of the jury at the Cannes Film Festival. Ash Rai is also the latest member of the elite L'Oreal Dream Team, joining beauties Catherine Deneuve & Andie MacDowell as their international ambassador. Aishwarya Rai graced the covers of India Today and the prestigious Time Magazine. Time has also listed her on their list of the `100 Most Influential People in the World Today.' Ash Rai has graced numerous covers in numerous countries worldwide including the USA, UK, China, Russia, Israel, United Emirates, Germany, Italy, Spain and France. Aishwarya Rai was also listed on Rolling Stone Magazine's annual `Hot List', Hello Magazine's `Most Attractive Women in the World', Stuff Magazine, FHM magazine, V-Life from Variety Magazine, GQ Magazine, New York Times Magazine, Harper's & Queen and countless others.
2004 saw Aishwarya Rai take on the leading role in her first English language film in "Bride & Prejudice" for Gurinder Chadha. Ash Rai also became the first Indian female to be immortalized in wax at the world famous Madame Tussaud's wax museum in London.
Aishwarya Rai's career continues to grow even stronger-she will soon be seen in Ashutosh Gowariker's "Jodhaa Akbar" and The Queen of Bollywood is already becoming the talk of Tinseltown and is currently in negotiations on other major motion pictures.
Aishwarya Rai's other film credits include Manit Ratnam's "Guru," "The Mistress of Spices" for director Paul Berges, Jag Mundhra's "Provoked," JP Dutta's "Umrao Jaan" and Sanjay Gadhvi's "Dhoom 2."
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