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Aishwarya Rai Profile |
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Birth Date: November 1, 1973
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Birth Place: Mangalore, Karnataka, India
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Birth Name: Aishwarya Rai
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Height: 5'7"
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Biography |
Aishwarya Rai was born in Mangalore, in the southern Indian
state of Karnataka, on November 1st, 1973. Her father, a
merchant navy officer, relocated the family to Mumbai
(formerly Bombay) when Aishwarya was four years old. She
excelled at academics as a child and chose science as her
area of concentration, hoping for a career in medicine
(zoology being her favorite subject at the time). Instead,
Ash -- one of her nicknames -- opted for a career in
architecture, and passed her college entrance interviews
with flying colors.
Aishwarya entered the world of modeling when she was in the
9th grade, appearing in an ad for Camlin Industries.
Initially, she modeled part-time, while focusing on her
studies. As more assignments started rolling in, Ash decided
to take a break from architecture and concentrate on
modeling.
Aishwarya became well known in India after she appeared in a
Pepsi commercial. Other high-profile assignments quickly
followed, including Palmolive, Casio pagers, Philips,
Sheetal diva, and Prudent. What started off as a part-time
activity quickly grew into a full-fledged career, as more
companies hired the young beauty with the magnificent
blue-green (and sometimes blue-gray) eyes.
In 1991, at the age of seventeen, Aishwarya was coaxed into
entering the prestigious Ford Supermodel Contest by a
friend. To her amazement, she won, and also took the Tulips
Miss Super Vivacious prize, which was part of the same
contest. Ash was spotted by famous photographer Steven
Meisel, and was soon featured in Vogue magazine. Bollywood,
the massive Indian film industry, quickly came calling, and
she made her first film appearance in Mamagaru that same
year.
Initially rejecting subsequent film offers, Ash still hoped
to finish her studies as an architect, and be with her
family. But her career plans were forever altered when she
entered the Miss Femina World contest in 1994. The
20-year-old became the first runner-up, and was tipped to
take the title at the upcoming Miss World pageant in Sun
City, South Africa. She was crowned Miss World in 1994, was
named Miss Catwalk, and was selected as having the Most
Photogenic Face by the pageant's judges.
Aishwarya's stunning beauty, elegance and charm made her the
darling of India. She became even more famous in her native
country after winning the Miss World title, and was again
approached by big names in India's movie industry to star in
films.
Although she had little acting experience, she won over the
critics and audiences alike in 1997's Iruvar (a.k.a. The
Duo). For her role as Aishi in 1997's ...Aur Pyaar Ho Gaya,
Aishu (another one of her nicknames) picked up India's
Screen Best Female Debut award. In 1998, she took on the
dual role of Madhumitha/Vaishnavi in Jeans, which also won
the actress critical praise and much male adoration.
Aishwarya was selected as the spokesmodel for Longines
watches in 1999, and continued to appear in Indian films.
She won the Filmfare Award for Best Actress for her
performance in 1999's Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (a.k.a.
Straight from the Heart).
In 2000, she starred as Meenakshi in Kandukondain
Kandukondain (a.k.a. I Have Found It). That same year, she
appeared in Mohabbatein (a.k.a. Love Stories) and won rave
reviews for her performance as Preeti, a rape victim, in
Hamara Dil Aapke Paas Hai. She was selected as Screen
Weekly's Best Actress for 2000.
Her acting career has largely overshadowed her modeling
work. In 2002, Ash was featured in no less than five Indian
films, including 23rd March 1931: Shaheed and Shakti: The
Power, where she appeared as the Dream Girl. Bollywood's
Dream Girl could soon become the world's Dream Woman, should
Aishwarya Rai decide to take on European or American cinema
as her next conquest. |
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Other
Information |
Wanted to study medicine, but circumstances prevented her.
Miss World 1994.
Dated Salman Khan.
Was offered Rani Mukherjee's role in Kuch Kuch Hota Hai
(1998).
Runner up, Miss India 1994
Ambassador (spokesperson) for Longines watches since 1999.
Daughter of Vrinda Rai
Sister of Aditya Rai
In April 2003, she suffered an accident on the sets of
Khakee (2004) when a car driven by a stuntman got out of
control, hit her, took her down a crevice, and slammed her
into a cactus plant. She broke a bone in one foot and
suffered severe cuts, and she was rushed to a hospital. The
incident rekindled the discussion about poor safety
standards on Bollywood film sets.
The first Indian actress to be on the jury of the Cannes
International Film Festival.
Has made over 50 music videos in only seven years.
Despite the fact that she is adorned with jewelry in her
music videos and movies, she is apparently not too fond of
it.
Is the highest paid actress in Bollywood.
Created a frenzy at the 2002 Cannes Film Festival when she
arrived at the premiere of her film _Devdas (2002)_ in a
coach and wearing a beautiful yellow-orange-embroidered
sari.
Was originally cast in the role of Jwala in the film _The
Rising: Ballad of Mangal Pandey (2005)_ , but dropped out
before filming started due to contract problems. The role
was later given to Amisha Patel.
Loves collecting watches.
Made her first commercial for Camlin pencils when she was in
the 9th grade.
Was the Coca Cola Girl for the Middle East and south Asia.
Favorite subject in college was Zoology.
Has achieved iconic status all over South Asia.
Is featured in the 2004 edition of the Guinness Book of
World Records.
In a poll conducted by Hello magazine, she was voted the
number-one attractive woman of 2003, beating actresses such
as Nicole Kidman, Catherine Zeta-Jones, and Gwyneth Paltrow.
In April 2003, L'Oréal signed her as its new international
brand ambassador (spokesperson).
The first Bollywood star to appear in Rolling Stone magazine
(Issue 932, October 2, 2003)
Gained 20 pounds for Bride & Prejudice (2004) because she
didn't want her character to look like a supermodel and also
felt that it would add a sense of realism to the character.
Is a Bunt, like fellow actors Shilpa Shetty and Sunil
Shetty. The Bunts are a South Indian community who mainly
speak Tulu, which is Aishwarya's mother tongue.
Turned down the lead in Munnabhai M.B.B.S. (2003). The role
was given to Gracy Singh.
Turned down the role of Mastani in the film _Bajirao Mastani
(2005)_ .
The first movie star she ever met was Rekha. Aishwarya was
still in high school at the time and was a model. While at a
grocery store with her mother, Aishwarya was tapped on the
shoulder by none other than Rekha herself. Rekha recognized
Aishwarya from her modeling ads. She complimented the young
Aishwarya on her good looks and wished her all the best.
Is fluent in the languages English, Hindi, Kannada, Tamil,
and Urdu.
Receives at least two movie offers every day.
Was originally intended for the role of Priya in the film
_Chalte Chalte (2003)_ .
Aamir Khan and Aishwarya Rai are the only stars to advertise
for both Coca Cola and Pepsi.
Before she was famous, she auditioned to do voice-dubbing
for a television serial and was rejected.
Shahrukh Khan recommended her to play Kaurwaki in the film
Asoka (2001). But the director wanted to cast someone who
hadn't already been paired with Shahrukh as a leading lady.
After winning the title of Miss World in 1994, the host of
the event, Richard Steinmetz, actually asked Aishwarya out.
But being a professional, she refused right away.
Sued the magazine Star and Style for a sum of Rs 20 million
(2 crore) for printing an article claiming that actress
Raveena Tandon had caught her and Akshay Kumar in a
compromising position at the poolside of a five- star hotel.
During the filming of the song 'Dola Re Dola' from the movie
_Devdas (2002)_ , Aishwarya's ears were bleeding because to
the heavy earrings she had to wear, but she continued to
perform anyway.
Is a trained classical dancer. She learnt classical dance
and music for five years while in her teens.
Has a puppy named Sunshine, which was given to her as a gift
by friend Vivek Oberoi.
Won the title of Miss Photogenic in the 1994 Miss World
Pageant.
Has won over 50 awards since 1994 when she was 20.
Is good friends with actress Preity Zinta.
Has gained a cult following in Pakistan.
Was listed in Time magazine as one of 100 most influential
people in the world (The 2004 TIME 100).
Ran the Olympic-torch relay in June 2004.
Turned down a role in San wa (2005) due to her touring
schedule. The role was eventually given to Mallika Sherawat.
Has refused to work with Salman Khan after their break-up,
in spite of several offers.
Has over 17,000 Web sites dedicated to her.
In 2004, Aishwarya became the first Bollywood and Indian
actress to have her own statue at London's Madame Tussauds
museum.
On January 2nd, 2005, she became the first Indian actress to
be interviewed on "60 Minutes" (1968).
Voted #9 in Harpers and Queen magazine's list of the 100
most beautiful women of today. (Harpers and Queen, June 6,
2005)
A tulip produced in 2005 was named for her.
Member of the jury at the 2003 Cannes Film Festival.
When Oprah Winfrey saw Aishwarya's interview on "60 Minutes"
(1968), she was so fascinated by her that she got a hold of
Ash and invited her to be a guest on her show. On April 25,
2005, Aishwarya became the first Indian and South Asian
actress to be featured on _"Oprah Winfrey Show, The" (1986)_
.
Turned down the role of Helen in the film Troy (2004).
Director Andy Tennant offered her a part in _Hitch (2005)_ ,
but she turned it down because she was so busy with other
films.
Turned down the role of Anna in Barsaat (2005).
In the summer of 2005, Mattel released limited-edition
Barbie dolls inspired by Aishwarya and her costumes. They
were released only in Britain and sold out within minutes.
These dolls are now considered rare collectibles among fans.
Her favourite film is Casablanca.
Was voted number 12 on VH1's 50 Sexiest Actresses of the
Last 20 Years. (December 2005)
Roger Ebert has said he considers her the most beautiful
actress in the world.
Was voted as E's 7th sexiest celebrity in the world
The first actress from India to get signed on with the
American Library Association and also have a poster made of
her for schools and library's all across America.
Was originally signed on to play the part of Simmi in Bluff
Master (2005), but was replaced without any notice by
Priyanka Chopra. Director Rohan Sippy then gave Aishwarya a
"special thanks" in the end credits as an apology.
Turned down the part of Sandhya in Saamna (2006).
When President George W. Bush visited India in March 2006,
he invited Aishwarya, along with Aamir Khan, to a luncheon.
Aishwarya could not attend because she was in Brazil at the
time filming for Dhoom 2 (2006).
Was considered for the role of Priya in Krrish (2006).
Turned down the lead in Corporate (2006) because she didn't
have any dates available for filming. The role was given to
Bipasha Basu.
In mid 2001, Aishwarya started work on two films titled
Radheshyam Seetaram and Hum Panchhi Ek Daal Ke. For reasons
unknown, filming stopped on these films in February 2002.
Filming was never completed and the films have now been
shelved. The only glimpse of the movies that exist for the
public to see are photographs from the sets and publicity
shots.
Performed to an audience of 85,000 in Melbourne, Australia
at the closing ceremony of the 2006 Commonwealth Games with
800 backup dancers. (March 2006)
Was cast with a small role in Lajja (2001), but was dropped
because there were already too many major stars in the film.
When Karan Johar asked Aishwarya on his talk show which film
she wishes she could have been a part of, she responded
_Khamoshi: The Musical (1996)_ .
Is the second Indian actress to appear on the cover of TIME
magazine in 2003. The first was Parveen Babi in 1976.
Is very popular in many Arab countries.
Featured in People Magazine as one of the 100 Most Beautiful
People in the World. (Issue May,8,2006)
Was considered for the role of Kalyani in Water (2005).
Got her education at Arya Vidya Mandir and DG Ruparel
College, both in Bombay, India. She was also accepted into
Raheja College of Architecture in Bombay, but never went. |
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