Stunning Women: AISHWARYA RAI (Ash)

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. Aishwarya Rai is one of the most recognizable names and faces in her native land. Her incredible beauty and grace have taken her to the top as a model, actress and general superstar in India and other Asian countries. She's almost considered a saint back home: During a trip to an orphanage, a child remarked that the warmth of her kindness was more radiant than her beauty. On the world stage, she has appeared in the pages of international fashion magazines, and beat out all the other beauties who participated in 1994's Miss World pageant. Despite all her positivity and achievements, Ash (as she's also known) claims that she's still paranoid about being an underachiever. From what we've learned about her, she's certainly no Bart Simpson. Ash comes from a traditional southern Indian family with traditional values; despite her access to a very glamorous lifestyle, she's happiest spending time with her family and close friends. She abhors gossip and hypocrisy, and considers her willingness to take people at face value as her ultimate weakness. Aishwarya considers her sense of self-assurance to be one of her strong points. She admires strength of character in others, and is turned on by "razor sharp intelligence and witty repartee." A bright woman, she considered a career in medicine and opted instead for architecture, until modeling and winning beauty pageants got in the way of her studies. She speaks a number of languages, including English, Hindi, Kannada, and a bit of Tamil. She possesses a naturalness in front of the camera, and has successfully managed to move from modeling to acting. Ash is also a terrific dancer, which is a major asset for anyone hoping to make it in the world of Bollywood musicals. Aishwarya's seductiveness is subtle and understated. This 5'7" stunner claims she doesn't need to diet to maintain her foxy physique. Her full, luscious lips, sexy curves and ultra-feminine mannerisms give her top marks in this category.Some advice for potential suitors: Ash's idea of sexy is a combination of vulnerability and intelligence. She claims that witty conversation turns her on more than anything else. And learning to speak a couple of exotic languages could only increase one's chance of making a positive impression upon her. Ash won the Ford Supermodel Contest at the age of seventeen, and has been on a roll ever since. She began her professional career as a model in several high-profile advertising campaigns in her native India. A particular Pepsi ad helped make her a household name back home. Her modeling led to a successful run in the world of beauty pageants. After she became the runner-up in the 1994 Miss Femina World contest (as Miss India), Aishwarya won the Miss World title later that same year. Since successfully crossing over into the Indian film industry in the second half of the '90s, Aishu (her other nickname) has appeared in almost two dozen films over a six-year period, making her a more prolific actress than most Western movie stars. In her native land, she was chosen as India's Screen Best Female Newcomer for 1997. She followed that up by winning the Filmfare Award for Best Actress in 1999's Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, and Screen Weekly's Best Actress in 2000. Her modeling career hasn't completely been eclipsed by her screen success; she became the international ambassador/spokeswoman for Longines watches in 1999. This stunning specimen is a prime example of unadorned, 100% natural beauty. She relies on little or no makeup, and hasn't dyed her hair a lighter shade to feel more attractive. Aishwarya possesses breathtakingly delicate features and is known for her spectacular blue-green eyes (that sometimes take on a blue-gray shade). Her long, raven hair and inviting, warm smile make her all the more irresistible. It's no mystery to us why she is a former Miss World. Ash's personal taste in fashion fluctuates from form-fitting gowns when she needs something formal, to jeans and a T-shirt when she wants to go casual. She likes to keep things simple: Ash doesn't like anything too "fussy and frilly" as she puts it, and as far as favorite colors go, she loves basic black. Aishwarya can make traditional Indian garments extremely sexy. On our fantasy tour of the planet, Aishwarya would be our guide of her Taj Mahal, a magnificent structure known for its perfect proportions.
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&sa=X&oi=spell&resnum=0&ct=result&cd=1&q=aishwarya+rai&spell=1
http://www.celebritywonder.com/wallpaper/Aishwarya_Rai.html
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/12/29/60minutes/main663862.shtml
Aishwarya Rai links
Aishwarya Rai Gallery
http://www.aishwaryaworld.com/images/llwp.html