Aishwarya Rai Success Story
Her smiles makes the millions swoon. Called as one of the most beautiful faces of the world, success was not easy for Aishwarya Rai, who treaded a road filled with criticisms, obstables and hard work to reach where she stands today.
An architect who ventured into modelling after college, Aishwarya Rai appeared in a popular Pepsi commercial in 1993 with Aamir Khan which was her first public appearance. Next year, she became the runner up of Miss India pageant and as a first runner up, she represented India in the Miss World pageant held in Sun City, South Africa and won the Miss World Continental Queen of Beauty- Asia and Oceania.
Aiswarya’s acting career was launched with her debut in a critically acclaimed 1997 Tamil film Iruvar. 1997 proved to be a phenomenal year for Rai as she also bagged the role of a naïve teenager in her first Bollywood film, a romantic comedy Aur Pyaar Ho Gaya. After that, she landed the lead role in the 1998 Tamil drama Jeans followed by Bollywood film Aa Ab Laut Chalen.
Aishwarya faced failures with films at start. Despite the odds, she received critical acclaim for her role in the drama Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam in 1999. The following years, she played lead roles in several movies like Taal, Hamare Dil Aapke Paas Hai, Dhai Akshar Prem Ke, Mohabbatein and Albela.
Often mocked by several peers and critics as a woman with plastic smile and no talent, Aishwarya wronged her opponents with perseverance and hard work. She soon ruled the Bollywood as numero uno queen with breathtaking performances in several films, walking away with Filmfare Awards.
Rai’s internantional recognition came for her role in the Sanjay Leela Bhansali adaptation of the famous Bengali novel Devdas. It was screened at the 2002 Cannes Film Festival and was featured in Time’s ‘10 Best films of the millennium’.
She was also applauded by critics for her role in Chokher Bali and Raincoat, both of which were directed by Rituparno Ghosh. After commercial and critical success of movies like Guru and Jodhaa Akbar, Rai landed a significant role in the 2009 Hollywood spy comedy The Pink Panter 2. She also received critical acclaim for her role in Guzaarish in 2010.
Aishwarya Rai is known internationally as a face of humanitarian work. She took part in the Magnificent 5 in 1999 and also became the Longines Ambassador of Elegance. In 2009, Rai was appointed the first Goodwill Ambassador of Smile Train, a charity that provides free cleft lip plastic surgery to children in need.
In 2003, she became a global brand ambassador for L’Oreal. She is a UN Microcredit Spokesperson and supports PETA India. In a bid to raise public awareness on eye donation, she pledged to donate hers to the Eye Bank Association of India. In 2012, she was appointed the international Goodwill Ambassador for UNAIDS. Aishwarya also supports causes like stem cell banking.
After an illustrious innings as an actress, Aishwarya Rai is now enjoying the baby bliss as a full time mom after marrying Bollywood actor Abhishek Bachchan.
Awards
- 2011
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Stardust
- 2009
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Padma Shri, IIFA
- 2007
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IIFA, Stardust
- 2003
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Filmfare, Zee Cine, IIFA, Screen
- 2002
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Screen
- 2000
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Filmfare, Zee Cine, IIFA, Screen
