Aishwarya Rai Bachchan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan
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Rai Bachchan at the 2017 Cannes Film Festival
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Aishwarya Rai
1 November 1973 |
| Alma mater | University of Mumbai |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1991–present |
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Works
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Full list |
| Title | Miss World 1994 |
| Spouse(s) | |
| Children | 1 |
| Family | Bachchan family (by marriage) |
| Awards | Full list |
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Aishwarya Rai Bachchan (born 1 November 1973) is an Indian actress. She is famous for her movies in Hindi and Tamil languages. Aishwarya won the Miss World 1994 beauty pageant. She became one of India's most loved and important celebrities.
She has received many awards for her acting. These include two Filmfare Awards. In 2004, Time magazine called her one of the 100 most important people in the world. The Government of India gave her the Padma Shri award in 2009. In 2012, the Government of France awarded her the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres. People often call her "the most beautiful woman in the world."
While in college, Aishwarya worked as a model. She appeared in many TV commercials. She then entered the Femina Miss India pageant and came in second place. After winning Miss World 1994, she started acting. Her first movie was the Tamil film Iruvar in 1997. Her first Hindi film was Aur Pyaar Ho Gaya that same year. She gained more success with movies like Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999) and Devdas (2002). For these, she won two Filmfare Awards for Best Actress.
Aishwarya has also been a Goodwill Ambassador for UNAIDS. This is a United Nations program about HIV/AIDS. She has supported many charity causes. In 2003, she was the first Indian actress to be a judge at the Cannes Film Festival. She married actor Abhishek Bachchan in 2007. They have one daughter.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Aishwarya Rai was born on 1 November 1973. Her family is Tuluva Hindu from Mangalore, Karnataka. Her father, Krishnaraj Rai, was a marine biologist. Her mother, Vrinda, is a housewife. She has an older brother named Aditya Rai. He is an engineer in the merchant navy.
Aishwarya's family later moved to Mumbai. She went to Arya Vidya Mandir High School there. She then studied at Jai Hind College and D. G. Ruparel College. She got very good grades in her exams. She always tried to be a top student.
As a teenager, Aishwarya trained in classical dance and music for five years. She loved traditional dance forms like Bharatanatyam. Her favorite school subject was zoology. She first thought about becoming a doctor. Later, she planned to become an architect. However, she decided to stop her studies to become a model. She had modeled for Camlin pencils as a child. Later, photographers saw her pictures and asked her to be in advertisements.
Acting Career Highlights
Early Modeling and First Films (1991–1999)
In 1991, Aishwarya took part in a supermodel contest. This led to her being in the American Vogue magazine. In 1993, she became very well-known from a Pepsi commercial. She appeared with actors Aamir Khan and Mahima Chaudhry. Her simple line, "Hi, I'm Sanjana," became very popular.
In the 1994 Femina Miss India pageant, Aishwarya came in second. Sushmita Sen won first place. Aishwarya was crowned Miss India World. She also won other titles like Miss Catwalk and Miss Photogenic. As the runner-up, she represented India in the Miss World pageant. She won Miss World 1994 in Sun City, South Africa. She also won the Miss Photogenic award there. After winning, she said she wanted to be an ambassador for world peace.
Aishwarya started her acting career in 1997. Her first film was Mani Ratnam's Tamil movie Iruvar. It was a political drama. She played two roles in the film. The movie was a success with critics. In the same year, she made her Bollywood debut. This was in the romantic comedy Aur Pyaar Ho Gaya. She starred opposite Bobby Deol. This film was not a big success.
In 1998, Aishwarya starred in the Tamil romantic drama Jeans. It was directed by S. Shankar. She played Madhumita, a young woman helping her grandmother. The film was a big success. It was the most expensive Indian film at that time. Jeans was even sent as India's entry for the Academy Awards.
A big moment in her career came in 1999. She starred in the romantic musical Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam. Sanjay Leela Bhansali directed it. She played Nandini, a woman forced into marriage but in love with someone else. Critics praised her acting. This film was a commercial success. Aishwarya won a Filmfare Award for Best Actress for her role. Her next film was Taal, a musical. It was also a commercial success. It was the first Indian film to be in the top-20 at the American box office.
Becoming a Leading Actress (2000–2008)
In 2000, Aishwarya starred in Kandukondain Kandukondain. This Tamil film was based on a famous novel. She played Meenakshi, a character like Marianne Dashwood. The film was a success. Critics praised Aishwarya's performance. She showed great innocence in her role.
She then appeared in the action drama Josh. She played the twin sister of Shah Rukh Khan's character. The film was a commercial success. In Hamara Dil Aapke Paas Hai, she played a brave character. Critics liked her performance. She showed the pain of her character very well.
In 2000, she also had a supporting role in Mohabbatein. This was a musical romantic drama. She played Megha Shankar, a daughter who faces a difficult situation. The film was the highest-grossing film of that year. Aishwarya received a nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress.
In 2002, Aishwarya starred in Devdas. This was a period romantic drama. She played Paro, the main character's love interest. The film was shown at the 2002 Cannes Film Festival. Time magazine listed it as one of the "10 Best Films of the Millennium." Devdas was a huge international success. Critics praised Aishwarya's acting. She showed she had great talent along with her beauty. The film won many awards in India. Aishwarya won her second Best Actress award for this role.
In 2003, Aishwarya starred in the Bengali film Chokher Bali. She played Binodini, a widow in early-20th century Bengal. The film was a big success with critics. Aishwarya received praise for her performance. She showed her character's emotions with grace.
In 2004, she gained international attention. She starred in the British film Bride and Prejudice. This was a Bollywood-style version of a famous novel. Aishwarya played the Punjabi version of Elizabeth Bennet. The film was a commercial success worldwide. She also starred in Raincoat. Critics praised her for taking on a less glamorous role.
In 2006, Aishwarya starred in Dhoom 2. This was an adventure film. She played Sunehri, a clever thief. The film was a huge commercial success. It became the highest-grossing Indian film of 2006.
In 2007, she played the wife of Abhishek Bachchan's character in Guru. This film was about a businessman's life. Guru was a success with critics and at the box office. Aishwarya's performance was highly praised. She also starred in the British drama Provoked. She played a real-life character, Kiranjit Ahluwalia. Critics gave her positive comments for this role.
In 2008, Aishwarya starred in Jodhaa Akbar. This was a historical romantic drama. She played Jodha Bai, a Rajput princess. Rajeev Masand said she was "wonderfully restrained" and used her eyes expertly. The film was a big success. Aishwarya received a Best Actress nomination for it. She then appeared with her husband and father-in-law in Sarkar Raj. This film was also a success.
Recent Work (2009–Present)
In 2009, Aishwarya starred in the comedy The Pink Panther 2. She played a criminology expert. The film received mixed reviews.
In 2010, she worked with Mani Ratnam again. She starred in two versions of the epic Ramayana. These were Raavanan (Tamil) and Raavan (Hindi). She played Ragini, a kidnapped wife. The Tamil version was a success. Critics had mixed reviews for her performances.
Aishwarya then starred with Rajinikanth in the science-fiction Tamil film Enthiran (2010). She played Sana, a college student. Enthiran was one of the most expensive Indian films ever made. It became one of the highest-grossing Indian films of all time. Her last film of 2010 was Guzaarish. She played a nurse named Sophia. Critics praised her performance.
After a break from acting, Aishwarya returned in 2015. She starred in the drama-thriller Jazbaa. She played a criminal lawyer. In 2016, she starred in the biographical drama Sarbjit. She played Dalbir Kaur, a sister fighting for her brother's release.
Her last film role of 2016 was in Ae Dil Hai Mushkil. This was a musical romantic drama. She played a poet named Saba. Critics gave her positive reviews for her role. The film became one of her biggest commercial successes. In 2018, she played a singer in the comedy-drama Fanney Khan.
Aishwarya worked with Mani Ratnam again on Ponniyin Selvan: I (2022) and Ponniyin Selvan: II (2023). These were two parts of a Tamil historical film. She played Nandini, a queen from the Chola dynasty. Critics called her performance in the second part the best of her career. Both films were huge successes. Ponniyin Selvan: I became one of the highest-grossing Tamil films of all time.
Off-Screen Activities
Stage Shows
In 1999, Aishwarya joined a world tour called Magnificent Five. She performed with other famous actors. In 2001, she was part of the Craze 2001 concert tour in North America.
She also performed at the closing ceremony of the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Australia. This show highlighted Indian culture. In 2008, Aishwarya, her husband, and her father-in-law went on the "Unforgettable World Tour." They performed in many countries.
Business and Endorsements
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Aishwarya has been involved in business. She was part of her father-in-law's entertainment company. She has also invested in companies. For example, in 2019, she invested in an environmental startup called Ambee. This company measures air quality.
Aishwarya is one of the top brand ambassadors in India. She has endorsed many big brands. These include Longines, L'Oréal, Titan Watches, Pepsi, and Coca-Cola. She was also named the official brand ambassador for De Beers diamonds in India. In 2012, she was ranked the world's second-most-popular watch-brand ambassador.
Charity Work
Aishwarya is a brand ambassador for the Eye Bank Association of India. She helps promote eye donation. In 2004, she started the Aishwarya Rai Foundation. This foundation helps people in need in India. In 2005, she became a brand ambassador for Pulse Polio. This campaign works to stop poliomyelitis in India. She also helped raise awareness for the United Nations' efforts to reduce poverty.
In 2005, Aishwarya performed at the HELP! Telethon Concert. This event raised money for victims of the 2004 tsunami earthquake. In 2008, she and her family laid the foundation for a school. This school was for underprivileged girls in Daulatpur.
Aishwarya supports PETA India. In 2009, she became the first Goodwill Ambassador for Smile Train. This charity provides free Cleft lip and palate surgery for children. Her work focused on India and other developing countries. In 2012, she became the new international Goodwill Ambassador for UNAIDS. She helps raise awareness about protecting children from HIV infection. She also works to increase access to treatment.
Personal Life
Aishwarya Rai married actor Abhishek Bachchan. Their engagement was announced on 14 January 2007. They married on 20 April 2007. The wedding followed traditional Hindu customs. It took place at the Bachchan family home in Juhu, Mumbai. Indian media often call them a "supercouple." Aishwarya is very close to her family. She is Hindu and deeply religious. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan gave birth to a daughter on 16 November 2011.
Aishwarya and her husband have appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show. She is the first Indian celebrity to be on the show twice. She also attended the 83rd Academy Awards with her husband.
Awards and Recognition
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan has won two Filmfare Awards for Best Actress. These were for her roles in Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999) and Devdas (2002). In 2003, she was chosen to be a judge at the Cannes Film Festival. She was the first Indian actress to be a jury member there.
In 2009, Aishwarya received the Padma Shri award. This was for her important contributions to Indian cinema. In 2012, she accepted the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres from the Government of France. She had previously declined it because her father was ill. She wanted her whole family to be there for the ceremony.
See also
In Spanish: Aishwarya Rai para niños
