Birth Name : Aishwarya Krishnaraj Rai
Date of Birth : 1 November 1973
Birth Place : Mangalore, Karnataka, India
Nickname : Ash, Gullu, The Queen of Bollywood
Height : 5' 7" (1.70 m)
Aishwarya Rai (Ash) is one of Bollywood's pre-eminent leading ladies. The Indian shot to fame when her striking beauty, poise and commanding intelligence won her the Miss World crown in 1994. This former architecture major soon became one of the most popular models in India working on a prestigious Pepsi campaign and appearing in Vogue magazine. The top Bollywood directors were soon lining up to work with Ash. His film debut in Mani Rathnam's Iruvar '(1997) received critical acclaim and her performance in Aur Paar Ho Gaya' (1997) directed by Rahul Rawail earned her the Best Female Debutante Award. In 2000 he was awarded Best Actress by Filmfare and Zee Cine for her work in Sanjay Leela Bhansali in Hum Dil De Chuk Sanam ", in that same year, nominated for Best Actress for her special appearance in Aditya Chopra Mohabbatein (2000). In 2001 Ash was nominated for Filmfare Best Actress Award for Satish Kaushik's "Hamara Dil Aapke Paas Hai".
Ash's star continued to rise in 2002 to work again with Sajay Leela Bhansali in "Devdas". "Devdas" is the most ambitious and most successful in the history of Bollywood film. He became the first Bollywood film to receive a special screening at this year's Cannes Film Festival and broke box office records in India and the United States.
2003 it provided even more exciting opportunities. Ash became the first Indian actor to be jury member at Cannes Film Festival. She is also the last team member elite L'Oreal Dream, joining beauties Catherine Deneuve and Andie MacDowell as their international ambassador. She appeared on the covers of India Today and the prestigious TIME Magazine. Time magazine also included in its list of "100 most influential people in the world today." He has appeared on numerous covers worldwide including USA, UK, China, Russia, Israel, United Emeriti, Italy, Spain and France. Ash also appeared on the annual list of Rolling Stone "Hot", mostly women attractive Hello magazine in the world ", Stuff Magazine, FHM magazine, V-Life from Variety Magazine, GQ Magazine, The New York Times Magazine, Harper's & Queen and countless others.
In 2004, Aishwarya assume the lead role in his first English language film for Gurinder Chadha in "Bride & Prejudice". He also became the first Indian woman to be immortalized in wax at the world famous waxworks museum Madame Tussaud's in London.
With over 17,000 websites devoted to her, Ash finally launched her "Official Website" www.AishwaryaWorld.com
2005 started with appearances on "60 Minutes", "David Letterman Show" and the most watched television program in the world of "Oprah Winfrey Show." Aishwarya race continues to grow even stronger - soon to be seen in Mistress of Spices for director Paul Berges, Jag Mundhra's caused, Sanjay Gadhvi Dhoom 2, and legendary producer Dino De Laurentiis The Last Legion opposite Colin Firth and Sir Ben Kingsley. The Queen of Bollywood is already becoming the talk of Hollywood and is currently in negotiations on two major motion pictures.