|
CAREER
ON REWIND
From
topnotch model to Ms World, to actress and now,
producer, Aishwarya Rai has been constantly in the media glare.
Written off as fake and declared a non-actress initially,
she struggled her way to 
success, and today, is a star to reckon with. However, what
comes into focus time and again is her personal life. We trace
her success story and the ensuing controversies that bogged
her down over the years. A chronicle....
1993-94
The year saw you being crowned Ms India and Miss World! The
beauty with a purpose was made to transcend the by lanes of
Pali Hill in a Victoria. Waving out to all the people, you
certainly had them charmed. And for a year you were busy attending
pressing conferences, visiting charitable institutions and
flying in and out of the country.
1995
You announced your decision to join films and screen tested
for Mansoor Khan’s Josh at Film City. Barely had you
made this announcement, the media began their speculations.
Stories were rife about your showdown with Mansoor Khan, and
suggested that you had thrown tantrums over make-up and clothes.
But when questioned about it, you had brushed it off as hogwash
and insisted the screen test had got a wee bit delayed because
it had rained on that particular day. Not only did you successfully
complete the shooting of Josh but also were also appreciated
for your performance when the film was eventually released
last year. You were also approached by ace South Indian director,
Mani Ratnam, for Iruvar.
1996
You begin shooting for Mani Ratnam’s Iruvar. The
media questions you about the experience of working with the
ace filmmaker and you say that he is not as stern a taskmaster
as the media has made him out to be. Meanwhile other directors
like Yash Chopra, Rajkumar Santoshi, Rahul Rawail and Shankar
show interest in casting you in their films and you are pleased
with the faith they have reposed on your talent.
You begin shooting for Rawail’s Aur Pyar Ho Gaya that
marks your debut as an actress in Hindi films, and Shankar’s
Jeans. But even before you can prove yourself as an actress,
you’re seen splashed on the covers of all the leading
magazines. You decide to sue Star And Style for a sum of Rs
two crore for printing an article that said how Raveena Tandon
had caught you and Akshay Kumar together at the pool side
of a five star hotel. “I was in Goa shooting for Rahul
Rawail’s Aur Pyar Ho Gaya. How could I be at two places
at the same time?,” you asked.
The year saw the Ms World pageant being held in Bangalore.
Political parties and social organizations create havoc and
you, who are to be the judge at the show, opine that these
organizations ought to actually take care of the downtrodden,
instead of wasting their energies in spreading mayhem.
1997
Your first film Iruvar is released down South. Though
the film meets with a dismal fate at the box-office, you are
appreciated for your performance. By this time, you’ve
begun working in Hindi films in full swing.
There are rumours that Rahul Rawail’s been driving you
to tears on the sets of Aur Pyar Ho Gaya, and you insist no
director till date has even raised his voice with you. People
also hint at a rivalry between Sushmita Sen and you. You say
you share a cordial relationship with Sush, and all talk of
a rivalry is a figment of the media’s imagination.
1998
The year sees the release of your first Hindi film, Aur
Pyar Ho Gaya. Expectations are high since it also marks the
debut of the youngest Deol, Bobby. Though the film flops,
you’re soon roped in to play the lead in Sanjay Leela
Bhansali’s Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, Rishi Kapoor’s
Aa Ab Laut Chalen, Rahul Gupta’s Hum Panchi Ek Daal Ke
and Subhash Ghai’s Taal. You have also been offered Sooraj
Barjatya’s Hum Saath Saath Hain, Sunny Deol’s London
and Indra Kumar’s Mann but are compelled to turn them
down because of the lack of dates. You part ways with secretary
Jatin Rajguru.
While you’re away on a month’s schedule to the US
for Rishi Kapoor’s Aa Ab Laut Chalen, the media here
links you with cinematographer Sameer Arya. You’re upset
by it, but refrain from reacting to it, apart from suggesting
that the newshounds ought to speak to the unit members for
their clarifications. Rumours also link you with Sunil Shetty,
and you say you will not let rumours come in the way of friendship
with co-stars.
1999
The year proves to be a turning point, not only in your
career but also your personal life. Though Aa Ab Laut Chalen
meets with average success, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam and Taal
make critics sit up and notice your talent. The inquisitive
media now begins to link you with Salman Khan. You deny the
relationship initially. But when stories about you and him
keep appearing in the press, you acknowledge your association
with him. You say relationships are not always about man and
woman, or cupid and arrow, that time is the best test of a
bond.
Shabnam Kapoor, who has roped you in to play the lead in Radhesham
Seetaram, accuses you of being unprofessional and reports
the matter to the Cine Artistes Association and the press.
You react to it with stoic silence.
2000
You’re declared the best actress and are crowned
No 1! On the other hand, speculation is rife about your relationship
with Salman Khan. You meet with an accident and he is accused
of having beaten you. This time, even the leading dailies
write about you and Salman Khan and report on the ruckus created
by him outside your home in Lokhandwala. They write that your
family is afraid of Salman! You feel that this time, the media
has crossed its limits and something has to be done about
it.
On the career front, you have three releases; Satish Kaushik’s
Hamara Dil Aap Ke Paas Hai, Raj Kanwar’s Dhaai Akshar
Prem Ke and Yash Chopra’s Mohabbatein.
You’re also roped in for Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s
Devdas, Feroz Khan’s Tujpe Qurbaan Meri Jaan, Yash Chopra’s
next and David Dhawan’s untitled venture. Fans look forward
to seeing you with Hrithik Roshan in the Coke ad, but with
different versions of the ad narrated to you, you decide to
back out. Your mother, Vrinda Rai, writes a script, and you
announce your decision to turn producer.
Back
|
Cover
Story
