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to Africatower's Special Feature On Aishwarya
Rai - Hidden Camera and Candid Pictures
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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. Her film debut in Mani Rathnam's
'Iruvar' (1997) received critical acclaim and
her performance in Rahul Rawail's '…Aur Paar
Ho Gaya' (1997) garnered her the Best Female
Debutante Award. In 2000 she was awarded Best
Actress by FilmFare and Zee Cine for her work
in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's "Hum Dil De
Chuke Sanam", in that same year, nominated
for Best SUPPORTING Actress for her special
appearance in Aditya Chopra's MOHABBATEIN. In
2001 Ash was nominated for FilmFare's Best Actress
Award for Satish Kaushik's "Hamara Dil
Aapke Paas Hai".
Ash's star continued to rise in 2002 working
again with Sajay Leela Bhansali in 'Devdas'.
'Devdas' is the most ambitious and most successful
film in Bollywood history. It became the first
Bollywood picture to ever receive a special
screening at this year's Cannes Film Festival
and broke box-office records in India and the
United States. Daily Variety's (06/12/02) Derek
Elley describes 'Devdas' as "…some of the
most sumptuous production values in Bollywood
history…" Elley describes Ash 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.
Ash became the first Indian actor to be a member
of the jury at the Cannes Film Festival. Ash
is also the latest member of the elite L'Oreal
Dream Team, joining beauties Catherine Deneuve
& Andie MacDowell as their international
ambassador. She graced the covers of India Today
and the prestigious TIME Magazine. Time Magazine
has also listed her on their list of the “100
Most Influential People in the World Today”.
Ash 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, People
Magazine and countless others.
"Bride and Prejudice", a re-working
of the Jane Austin classic opposite actor Martin
Henderson (The Ring), directed by Gurinder Chadha
was released.
To close 2004, Ash launched her “Official Website”
www.AishwaryaWorld.com and has the great honor
of being the first Indian Female immortalized
in wax at the world famous Madame Tussaud’s
Wax Museum in London.
The Aishwarya Rai Foundation was established
to help those less fortunate who are in need
of support. During her travels Ash researches
issues close to her heart, namely, the world's
ill treatment of women, children, the elderly
and animals. Her hope is to eventually dedicate
most of her energies and time in support of
her Foundation. www.AishwaryaRaiFoundation.net
2005 started off with a bang! Aishwarya became
the first Bollywood star to be featured in a
one-on-one profile on 60 Minutes. 60 Minutes
is the #1 news show in America. Due to the strong
demand from India to view her 60 Minutes appearance,
the weekly show is now broadcast throughout
the country for the first time, making it one
of the most watched news shows in the world.
Appearances on David Letterman and Good Morning
America; both very popular shows in America
were very well received by viewers. Ash will
appear on the #1 talk show in the world, The
Oprah Winfrey Show, whom Ash credits Oprah as
"a pure inspiration".
