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SHE WAS VOTED AS THE MOST beautiful girl in the world. But Aishwarya Rai thumbed down a superlative future in modelling and opted for films instead. Acccording to many, that was the most quick-sighted decision she took. Because she came into the arena when she was saucy, raring-to-go and more importantly, wanted.
And the movie industry welcomed her with open arms. One of the first films that Aishwarya signed was 'Indian', opposite Sunny Deol. But that movie never took off. Around the same time, she also signed Mani Rathnam's 'Iruvar'. A deglamorised role in a film that had a strong regional flavour. Was it the right choice? Aishwarya thought so, because it was a Mani Rathnam presentation. But the strategy backfired when the film bombed and Ash was ready to truggle again.
Her launch in Hindi movies was not too noteworthy either. Her first film to hit the movie houses was ' Aur PyarHo Gaya' in 1997, where she co-starred opposite Bobby Deol. The film, directed by Rahul Rawail, was a major disaster. The one good facet about Aishwarya that fostered here over all odds was the fact that she never got too despondent with failure. Even when her career was at its lowest ebb, she still waited for worthwhile banners to come her way. And they did, in the form of Rishi Kapoor, Subhash Ghai and Sanjay Leela Bansali. Fate delivered yet another calamity on Aishwarya when her third film, 'Aa Ab Laut Chalen', directed by Rishi Kapoor also turned out to be a loser. Industry sniggers now began to grow louder. But due credit to the young girl for keeping her head above water, even in the most stormy situations.
A hit wasn't too far away. And it came soon in the form of Sanjay Leela Bansali's 'Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam'. In the film, Ash played the role of Nandini, a woman trapped between her love for her boyfriend and her commitment towards her husband. She played the part beautifully and literally brought the character alive on screen. Aishwarya bagged a lot of accoplades and awards for her fine portrayal in the film. Even before the 'HDDCS' euphoria could die down, the dazzling actress delivered yet another resounding success. Subhash Ghai's 'Taal'. Ghai had almost done aYash Chopra this time, as if he was hopelessly besotted by the character of Mansi. Simple yet sensual, elegant yet electrifying, Mansi was a dream role for any actress. And Aishwarya just fitted the bill perfectly. Subhash Ghai even went to the extent of saying, "If Aishwarya had said no to me, I would never have attempted 'Taal'".
On the personal front, Aishwarya has steered off controversies with the exception of her romance with Salman Khan. But even that's not making as much news as the woman's amplifying aura. With just two films, Aishwarya has raced past most of the industry girls, her only serious competitor being Karisma Kapoor.Undoubtedly the star-actress of the new millennium, there are many more grounds to conquer before this gorgeous girl finally
settles down. |
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