The lovely green eyed Miss world 1994, Aishwarya Rai popularly known as Ash was born on 1st November 1973 at Mangalore.
Born to parents Krishna and Vrinda Rai, she and her brother Aditya, were brought up in a middle class background. Aishwarya did her schooling at Arya Vidya Mandir, Santacruz in Mumbai and junior college from Jai Hind. She pursued her graduation in Architecture from Rachana Sansad School, Mumbai. By this time, Aishwarya started getting modelling assignments in Fashion shows and advertisemnet campaigns. She won the Famous Ford Contest at the age of 17. From that point there was no looking back. She participated in the Miss India Femina contest 1994 and became the Ist runner up which paved her way for winning the Miss world crown 1994. Aishwarya Rai's career took off as soon as she became 1994 Miss World.
Aishwarya's looks and talent made her a sure shot winner in the beauty pageants but faring equally well in films was a point to be debated. Would Aishwarya be able to deliver emotions, dialogues and dance with the same élan?
Ash's first film, 'Iruvar' (in Tamil) laid an expensive egg in the south. Ditto for Aur Pyar Ho Gaya and Jeans. But eventually, the girl with a million-dollar face combined with a strong personality and intelligence conquered Bollywood.
The debate concluded and went in Ash's favor. Almost all the happening directors and producers of Bollywood started booking her dates for their projects. The success of Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam and Taal proved that she possessed and could deliver all that it takes to top the charts in Bollywood.
That has given an international edge to Aishwarya's status, something she enjoyed even with the Miss World title.
All this has done the inevitable to Ash's career graph. Aishwarya has the major producers and directors chasing her for dates. Leading men in the industry send feelers to producers to cast them opposite her.