Aishwarya Rai: Trivia- Has signed on for the lead in the British production PROVOKED. (May 13, 2005)
- Said she never had kissing scenes on screen. (January 3, 2005)
- Nickname: Ash, Aishu, Gullu
- Wanted to study medicine, but circumstances prevented her.
- Miss World 1994
- Was offered Rani Mukherjee''s role in KUCH KUCH HOTA HAI.
- Runner up, Miss India 1994
- Ambassador for Longines watches since 1999
- Suffered an accident on the set of KHAKEE (2003) when a car driven by a stuntman got out of control, hit her, took her down a crevice and slammed her into a cactus plant. She broke a bone in one foot and suffered severe cuts. She was rushed to a hospital. The incident rekindled the discussion about poor safety standards on Hollywood film sets. (April 2003)
- The first Indian actress to be on the jury of the Cannes International Film Festival
- Eye Color: blue green
- Languages spoken: English, Hindi, Kannada
- Favorite hero-heroine: Raj Kapoor, Nargis.
- Favorite all-time movie: CASABLANCA
- Admits never goes on a diet.
- Eye Color: blue green
- Nickname: Ash, Aishu, Gullu
- Runner up, Miss India 1994
- Said she never had kissing scenes on screen. (January 3, 2005)
- Says family and a very close group of friends are what make her happiest.
- Dream man: handsome but not necessarily tall and dark
- Weakness: willingness to take people at face value.
- Strength: self-assurance. It''s ever present even in the worst situations.
- Says she''s possessive about the people she cares for.
- Languages spoken: English, Hindi, Kannada
- Favorite hero-heroine: Raj Kapoor, Nargis.
- Wanted to study medicine, but circumstances prevented her.
- Miss World 1994.
- Dated Salman Khan.
- Was offered Rani Mukherjee's role in Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998).
- Runner up, Miss India 1994Ambassador (spokesperson) for Longines watches since 1999.
- Daughter of Vrinda RaiSister of Aditya RaiIn April 2003, she suffered an accident on the sets of Khakee (2004) whena car driven by a stuntman got out of control, hit her, took her down acrevice, and slammed her into a cactus plant. She broke a bone in onefoot and suffered severe cuts, and she was rushed to a hospital. Theincident rekindled the discussion about poor safety standards onBollywood film sets.
- The first Indian actress to be on the jury of the Cannes InternationalFilm Festival.
- Has made over 50 music videos in only seven years.
- Despite the fact that she is adorned with jewelry in her music videos andmovies, she is apparently not too fond of it.
- Is the highest paid actress in Bollywood.
- Created a frenzy at the 2002 Cannes Film Festival when she arrived at thepremiere of her film _Devdas (2002)_ in a coach and wearing a beautifulyellow-orange-embroidered sari.
- Was originally cast in the role of Jwala in the film _The Rising: Balladof Mangal Pandey (2005)_ , but dropped out before filming started due tocontract problems. The role was later given to Amisha Patel.
- Loves collecting watches.
- Made her first commercial for Camlin pencils when she was in the 9thgrade.
- Was the Coca Cola Girl for the Middle East and south Asia.
- Favorite subject in college was Zoology.
- Has achieved iconic status all over South Asia.
- Is featured in the 2004 edition of the Guinness Book of World Records.
- In a poll conducted by Hello magazine, she was voted the number-oneattractive woman of 2003, beating actresses such as Nicole Kidman,Catherine Zeta-Jones, and Gwyneth Paltrow.
- In April 2003, L'Oral signed her as its new international brandambassador (spokesperson).
- The first Bollywood star to appear in Rolling Stone magazine (Issue 932,October 2, 2003)Gained 20 pounds for Bride & Prejudice (2004) because she didn't wanther character to look like a supermodel and also felt that it would add asense of realism to the character.
- Is a Bunt, like fellow actors Shilpa Shetty and Sunil Shetty. The Buntsare a South Indian community who mainly speak Tulu, which is Aishwarya'smother tongue.
- Turned down the lead in Munnabhai M.B.B.S. (2003). The role was given toGracy Singh.
- Turned down the role of Mastani in the film _Bajirao Mastani (2005)_ .
- The first movie star she ever met was Rekha. Aishwarya was still in highschool at the time and was a model. While at a grocery store with hermother, Aishwarya was tapped on the shoulder by none other than Rekhaherself. Rekha recognized Aishwarya from her modeling ads. Shecomplimented the young Aishwarya on her good looks and wished her all thebest.
- Is fluent in the languages English, Hindi, Kannada, Tamil, and Urdu.
- Receives at least two movie offers every day.
- Was originally intended for the role of Priya in the film _Chalte Chalte(2003)_ .
- Aamir Khan and Aishwarya Rai are the only stars to advertise for bothCoca Cola and Pepsi.
- Before she was famous, she auditioned to do voice-dubbing for atelevision serial and was rejected.
- Shahrukh Khan recommended her to play Kaurwaki in the film Asoka (2001).
- But the director wanted to cast someone who hadn't already been pairedwith Shahrukh as a leading lady.
- After winning the title of Miss World in 1994, the host of the event,Richard Steinmetz, actually asked Aishwarya out. But being aprofessional, she refused right away.
- Sued the magazine Star and Style for a sum of Rs 20 million (2 crore) forprinting an article claiming that actress Raveena Tandon had caught herand Akshay Kumar in a compromising position at the poolside of a five-star hotel.
- During the filming of the song 'Dola Re Dola' from the movie _Devdas(2002)_ , Aishwarya's ears were bleeding because to the heavy earringsshe had to wear, but she continued to perform anyway.
- Is a trained classical dancer. She learnt classical dance and music forfive years while in her teens.
- Has a puppy named Sunshine, which was given to her as a gift by friendVivek Oberoi.
- Won the title of Miss Photogenic in the 1994 Miss World Pageant.
- Has won over 100 awards since 1994 when she was 20.
- Is good friends with actress Preity Zinta.
- Has gained a cult following in Pakistan.
- Was listed in Time magazine as one of 100 most influential people in theworld (The 2004 TIME 100).
- Ran the Olympic-torch relay in June 2004.
- Turned down a role in San wa (2005) due to her touring schedule. The role was eventually given to Mallika Sherawat.
- Has refused to work with Salman Khan after their break-up, in spite of several offers
- Has over 17,000 Web sites dedicated to her.
- In 2004, Aishwarya became the first Bollywood and Indian actress to haveher own statue at London's Madame Tussauds museum.
- On January 2nd, 2005, she became the first Indian actress to beinterviewed on "60 Minutes" (1968).
- Voted #9 in Harpers and Queen magazine's list of the 100 most beautifulwomen of today. (Harpers and Queen, June 6, 2005)A tulip produced in 2005 was named for her.
- Member of the jury at the 2003 Cannes Film Festival.
- When Oprah Winfrey saw Aishwarya's interview on "60 Minutes"(1968), she was so fascinated by her that she got a hold of Ash andinvited her to be a guest on her show. On April 25, 2005, Aishwaryabecame the first Indian and South Asian actress to be featured on _"OprahWinfrey Show, The" (1986)_ .
- Turned down the role of Helen in the film Troy (2004).
- Director Andy Tennant offered her a part in _Hitch (2005)_ , but sheturned it down because she was so busy with other films.
- Turned down the role of Anna in Barsaat (2005).
- In the summer of 2005, Mattel released limited-edition Barbie dollsinspired by Aishwarya and her costumes. They were released only inBritain and sold out within minutes. These dolls are now considered rarecollectibles among fans.
- Her favourite film is Casablanca.
- Was voted number 12 on VH1's 50 Sexiest Actresses of the Last 20 Years.
- (December 2005)Roger Ebert has said he considers her the most beautiful actress in theworld.
- Was voted as E's 7th sexiest celebrity in the worldThe first actress from India to get signed on with the American LibraryAssociation and also have a poster made of her for schools and library'sall across America.
- Was originally signed on to play the part of Simmi in Bluff Master(2005), but was replaced without any notice by Priyanka Chopra. DirectorRohan Sippy then gave Aishwarya a "special thanks" in the end credits asan apology.
- Turned down the part of Sandhya in _Saamna (2006)_ .
- When President George W. Bush visited India in March 2006, he invitedAishwarya, along with Aamir Khan, to a luncheon. Aishwarya could notattend because she was in Brazil at the time filming for _Dhoom 2 (2006)_.
- Was considered for the role of Priya in Krrish (2006).
- Turned down the lead in Corporate (2006) because she didn't have anydates available for filming. The role was given to Bipasha Basu.
- In mid 2001, Aishwarya started work on two films titled RadheshyamSeetaram and Hum Panchhi Ek Daal Ke. For reasons unknown, filming stoppedon these films in February 2002. Filming was never completed and thefilms have now been shelved. The only glimpse of the movies that existfor the public to see are photographs from the sets and publicity shots.
- Performed to an audience of 85,000 in Melbourne, Australia at the closingceremony of the 2006 Commonwealth Games with 800 backup dancers. (March2006)Was cast with a small role in Lajja (2001), but was dropped because therewere already too many major stars in the film.
- When Karan Johar asked Aishwarya on his talk show which film she wishesshe could have been a part of, she responded _Khamoshi: The Musical(1996)_ .
- Is the second Indian actress to appear on the cover of TIME magazine in2003. The first was Parveen Babi in 1976.
- Is very popular in many Arab countries.
- Featured in People Magazine as one of the 100 Most Beautiful People inthe World. (Issue May,8,2006)Was considered for the role of Kalyani in Water (2005).
- Got her education at Arya Vidya Mandir and DG Ruparel College, both inBombay, India. She was also accepted into Raheja College of Architecturein Bombay, but never went.
- Good friends with fellow Indian superstar and icon, Madhuri Dixit. Thetwo worked together in the super-hit and widely acclaimed Devdas.
- Listed as number 3 of 'Top Bollywood Actresses' of 2006. (rediff.com,8-25- 2006)Caused a day long traffic jam in Dubai, United Arab Emirates whilefilming a soap commercial. People would stop for hours just to catch aglimpse of their favorite actress. (September 5, 2006)Listed #3 by UK magazine Eastern Eye one of "Asia's Sexiest Women" (Sept/2006).
- Is the most photographed woman in India.
- She was the first choice for the role of Jane Smith in Mr. & Mrs.
- Smith (2005), but she turned it down due to filming conflicts.
- She secured 90% marks in HSC at Ruparel college in Mumbai.
- Her Pepsi ad with Aamir Khan was shot in one night during the infamousBombay riots.
- Has been in six movies with Abhishek Bachchan, more than with any otheractor.
- Came in #1 in BollySpice.com Magazine's list of "Top 10 Actresses of2006".
- Turned down the part of Malvika Talwar in Baabul (2006).
- In January 2007, she announced that she has accepted a marriage proposalfrom current boyfriend, actor Abhishek Bachchan.
- Is often referred to as "the most beautiful woman in the world".
- In 2005, Hugh M. Hefner attempted to create and Indian version of Playboyfor India, which would feature South Asian women and Indian pop culturearticles, but no nudity. He wanted to have Aishwarya on the cover of thefirst issue. The magazine was rejected.
- Twice turned down the lead in the Hindi version of Chandramukhi (2005).
- Was invited in 2005 to be a presenter at The 77th Annual Academy Awards(2005) (TV), but was unable to attend because she was busy filming forThe Mistress of Spices (2005).
- Is active in various charities and often visits orphanages.
- Her favorite Western designer is Giorgio Armani. Whenever she is inLondon, clothes are taken to her hotel for her to choose from.
- Is the second of five Indian women to win the Miss World title. The firstwas Reita Faria, who won in 1966. Others include Diana Hayden who won in1997, Yukta Mookhey in 1999, and Priyanka Chopra in 2000.
- Ranked #30 in TIME magazines issue of '100 Most Influential People of theYear'. This is her second time making the list, her first being in 2004.
- (The Time 100, 2007).
- Has appeared on more magazine covers worldwide than any other Bollywoodor Indian star.
- Director Brett Ratner is a fan of Aishwarya's and he wanted her to becast in Rush Hour 3 (2007), but she turned down the offer.
- Was considered for the part of Vesper Lynd in Casino Royale (2006).
- Her wax statue at Madame Tussauds Museum in London was borrowed by themuseum in New York for six weeks. The statue was flown to New York andmade its debut on August 15, 2007, making her the first Indian actress inthe American version of the museum.
- She also knows classical dance
- She can communicate in several languages, including Tulu, Hindi, English, Marathi and Tamil
- Rai has previously dated Bollywood actors Salman Khan and Vivek Oberoi
- Before starting her acting career, she worked as a model, and gained fame after winning the Miss World contest in 1994
- For her 34th birthday, she went to go see Beyonce Knowles in concert in Mumbai
- Her wedding ceremony lasted a total of three days. It was the most awaited and talked about wedding in years and the press followed it like Princess Diana's wedding
- Her wedding invitations were embossed with two entwined As and delivered along with a box of chocolate meringues. Within the invitation was also a poem about new beginnings written by Amitabh Bachchan's father and renowned poet Harivash Rai Bachchan
- About 15 kilos of henna was special ordered from Sojat in Rajasthan for the henna ceremony before her wedding
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