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From the Miss World crown in 1994 to international fame, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan has carved a special place for herself in the entertainment industry. (Img: Pinterest )
Mumbai: From winning an international beauty pageant to becoming one of India's most recognised faces across the world, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan has built a career that extends far beyond the silver screen. As the actress celebrates her 53rd birthday, her journey reflects a combination of ambition, talent and carefully chosen career opportunities.
Aishwarya's journey to fame began long before her Bollywood debut. In 1991, she participated in the Ford Supermodel contest, which opened doors to modelling assignments, brand campaigns and appearances in leading fashion magazines.
Despite receiving film offers early in her career, she initially focused on completing her education and participating in beauty pageants.
In 1994, she secured the second position at the Miss India competition, finishing behind Sushmita Sen. Later that year, she represented India at the Miss World pageant in Sun City, South Africa, and won the prestigious title. She became the second Indian woman to receive the crown after Reita Faria.
Following her Miss World victory, Aishwarya entered the film industry with Mani Ratnam's Tamil film Iruvar in 1997. Her subsequent appearance in Jeans (1998) further established her presence in Indian cinema.
However, it was Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999) that became a major turning point. Films such as Mohabbatein, Josh and Devdas strengthened her position as a leading actress.
Her portrayal of Paro in Devdas (2002) received widespread appreciation and took Indian cinema to an international audience through its screening at Cannes.
Aishwarya's international recognition continued to grow. In 2003, she became the first Indian actress to serve as a jury member at the Cannes Film Festival. The following year, Time magazine included her among its 100 most influential people.
She also explored international cinema, appearing in projects that expanded her presence beyond Bollywood.
Over the years, Aishwarya delivered memorable performances in films such as Dhoom 2, Guru, Jodhaa Akbar and Guzaarish.
Her marriage to actor Abhishek Bachchan in 2007 marked a new chapter in her personal life. The couple welcomed their daughter, Aaradhya, in 2011.
After taking time away from films to focus on family, she returned with Jazbaa in 2015. Her career choices have consistently reflected her preference for meaningful roles rather than simply increasing the number of projects.
At 53, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan's journey remains an example of how Indian talent can achieve recognition on the global stage while maintaining strong connections with its roots.
