Highlights
Today on November 1 Aishwarya Rai Bachchan Turns 51. The actress who has acted for close to three decades has left Bollywood with many wonderful memories. From her victory at Miss World in 1994, to her sizzling movie acting, Aishwarya has been a notable actress in successful Bollywood as well as regional movies. On her birthday, let’s explore her greatest performances, which can still give a Cooper goosebump, making her queen of Bollywood.
Dhoom 2 (2006)
In the action-packed Dhoom 2, Aishwarya plays Sunheri, a master thief and partner-in-crime with Hrithik Roshan. This film had cheesy heist sequences and awesome chemistry between the stars and this film presented Aishwarya in a very sexy way that was heart throbbing for millions of people around the globe.
Raincoat (2004)
Raincoat portrays a sensitive sea-saw ride of memories of two past lovers Manu (Ajay Devgn) and Neerja (Aishwarya Rai) and the time when they ponder over broken dreams and lost relationships. It seems all the vivid against the backdrop of rain-soaked Kolkata and it’s refreshing to see Aishwarya in such a restrained role as Neerja that demonstrates her acting potential.
Guzaarish (2010)
Guzaarish, yet another remarkable partnership with Hrithik Roshan, this movie depicts the story of Ethan Mascarenhas, a quadriplegic former magician, and his nurse, Sophia played by Aishwarya. A Bhansali directorial based on the themes of euthanasia with Aishwarya Rai’s character of Sophia being Submission and Strength personified.
Umrao Jaan (2006)
In Umrao Jaan, Aishwarya portrays the role of the sensitive and liberal character of Ameeran, who is sold to a kotha in Lucknow. Her trip into the sphere of classical dance and poetry raises issues of the loss of childhood and the spirit to turn failure into success. Besides, dancing with Abhishek Bachchan as Nawab Sultan Khan the film gives new shades to Aishwarya.
Taal (1999)
Taal is yet another very defining film that was directed by Subhash Ghai for Aishwarya. Aishwarya plays the role of Mansi, an excellent folk singer who is successful. While torn between Manav, a lovable character portrayed by Akshaye Khanna, and music producer Vikrant Kapoor, portrayed by Anil Kapoor, Aishwarya does a brilliant job portraying the struggle between ambition and love and the movie music makes the film deeper.
Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999)
Directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam is a movie storyline based on a love triangle backed by royal rich Indian heritage. Aishwarya plays Nandini, who falls for her father’s student, Sameer (Salman Khan). But, the norms of the society compel her to get married to Vanraj, played by Ajay Devgn. Aishwarya’s performance as Nandini is perfect, full of love, sacrifice, and duty, and the great on-screen presence of both Khan and Devgn makes this one timeless.
Devdas (2002)
In the film Devdas, directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali and based on the novel by Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay, the stunning Aishwarya takes up the role of Paro. We see love in its various manifestations. One can learn about painful longing through the story of Devdas and Paro. Most of the films of the 90s could not make an impact but the performance by Aishwarya as Paro and Madhuri Dixit as Chandramukhi were excellent.
Guru (2007)
In Guru, Mani Ratnam presents an Indian story of Gurukant Desai (Abhishek Bachchan) forms the saga of an industrialist. Aishwarya plays Sujata, who is an honest and supportive wife of her husband focusing on the latter’s achievements. Critics have always appreciated Aishwarya’s portrayal in the movie Guru women’s strength and survival are effectively painted in Guru.
Hamara Dil Aapke Paas Hai (2000)
In the movie Hamara Dil Aapke Paas Hai, Aishwarya plays the character Preeti, a survivor of sexual assault who goes to stay with Avinash (Anil Kapoor). It emphasizes forgiveness, love, and the relationship they have to rebuild one another in the process of transforming their lives. For showing proper dignity to such sensitive social issues, Aishwarya got much appreciation for portraying them gracefully.
Jodhaa Akbar (2008)
Jodhaa Akbar where Aishwarya played the character of Rajput princess Jodha Bai marrying Mughal Emperor Akbar played by Hrithik Roshan. This historical epic, directed by Ashutosh Gowariker, beautifully depicted the love story of Jodha and Akbar. Critic Sobita Sen described Aishwarya’s royal performance as Jodha which was full of grace, dignity, and willpower that turned the film into an operatic extravaganza.
