Aishwarya Rai Bachchan birthday special – Best films of the stunning beauty

Mumbai: Often referred to as ‘the most beautiful woman in the world’ Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is indeed India’s pride. The pretty lady, who bagged the title of Miss World in 1994, has now become one of the most influential personalities across the globe. And today, as she celebrates her 44th birthday, here’s paying a tribute to her for her contribution to Indian cinema.

Aishwarya married Abhishek Bachchan, son of legendary actors Jaya and Amitabh Bachchan on April 20, 2007. They welcomed their first bundle of joy, daughter Aaaradhya on November 16, 2011. Post Guzaarish, Aishwarya took a break and returned to the silverscreen after a hiatus of 5 years.

With Sanjay Gupta’s thriller Jazbaa, Aishwarya made an impressive comeback. Soon after that, she was roped in by Omung Kumar to essay the role of Dalbir Kaur inspired by a real life character in Sarbjit. Then, she made a million hearts skip a beat in a never-seen-before avatar in Karan Johar’s Ae Dil Hai Mushkil.

As Aishwarya celebrates her birthday today, let’s take a look at some of her memorable performances so far:

Guzaarish

This Sanjay Leela Bhansali directorial saw Aishwarya paired opposite Hrithik Roshan. The film was received well by the critics but proved to be a dud at the Box Office. In the film, Ash played a dedicated nurse to quadriplegic, paralyzed magician (Hrithik). The film dealt with the sensitive issue of euthanasia (mercy killing).Ash pulled off the role convincingly and effortlessly.

Devdas

Ash looked gorgeous in the role of a Bengali woman in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s adaptation of Sharat Chandra Chattopadhyay’s novel Devdas. She played a diehard lover of Devdas (played by Shah Rukh Khan). She portrayed Paro’s character with great finesse and looked absolutely stunning.

Umrao Jaan

None but Ash could justify the role of Umrao Jaan, originally essayed by legendary actress Rekha. Aishwarya was undoubtedly the right choice to play the role. She looked captivating and kept the audience engaged by delivering a soulful performance.

Taal

Gorgeous Bachchan Bahu played the role of Mansi a small town girl with infinite love in her heart and beautiful voice in ‘Taal’. Ash did complete justice to the role.

Sarkaar Raj

Aishwarya played the role of a working woman in the film, Anita Rajan, CEO of a huge company based in London. She looked stoic and intellectual in her formal get up. This is one of the many films Abhi and Ash worked together.

Jodha Akbar

Ash and Hrithik made a perfect Jodha-Akbar. She played the role of a fiery Rajput princess with great dignity and poise. The two made a lovely on-screen pair in the film.

Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam

How can Ash’s fans forget Nandini, the chirpy gorgeous Gujarati girl who stole many hearts in `Him Dil De Chuke Sanam`, one of the best films Bollywood has ever made.

Guru

The green eyed beauty played the role of Sujata Desai in this Mani Ratnam film. She plays the wife of an over ambitious businessman in the film. She gave an absolutely amazing performance as a housewife.

Dhoom 2

Ash played flamboyant Sunehri, a fast paced, sharp follower of Mr. A, the master mind behind world class robberies in Dhoom 2. It was one of those films that gave Ash a chance to experiment with her look and image and the pretty maiden lived up to people’s expectations.

Chokher Bali

Former Miss World played the role of a widowed Bengali woman in the film with great conviction. She depicted an array of woman’s emotions in the film, thus winning praise from critics for her fine performance.

Bride and Prejudice

Aishwarya Rai played the role of Lalita Bakshi brilliantly in Gurinder Chaddha’s adaptation of Jane Austen’s popular novel. The film was an international project, which won Ash many accolades for her performance.