Aishwarya Rai (born 1 November 1973), also known as Aishwarya RaiBachchan, is an Indian film actress and model. Rai has establishedherself as a leading contemporary actress of Indian cinema and hasbecome one of Bollywood's highest-paid actresses. She has receivedseveral awards and nominations, including two Filmfare Awards,and was awarded with the Padma Shri by the Government of Indiain 2009, and the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by theGovernment of France in 2012. She is regarded as one of the mostpopular and influential celebrities in India, and is often cited inthe media as the "most beautiful woman in theworld".
Rai was the first runner-up of the Miss India pageant, and thewinner of the Miss World pageant of 1994. She made her actingdebut in the 1997 biographical film, Iruvar and starred in the1998 romantic drama Jeans. She earned wide public recognition andBest Actress awards at Filmfare for her leading roles inSanjay Leela Bhansali's 1999 melodrama Hum Dil De Chuke Sanamand the 2002 period film Devdas. She gained criticalappreciation for her portrayal of Tagore's heroine Binodini inRituparno Ghosh's 2003 film Chokher Bali, and a depressedwoman in Ghosh's 2004 relationship drama Raincoat. Following aseries of commercially unsuccessful films, Rai featured in the 2006blockbuster adventure film Dhoom 2, the historical romanceJodhaa Akbar, and the science fiction film Enthiran. Shegarnered wide critical acclaim for her work in Bhansali's 2010romantic drama Guzaarish.
