Birthday Spl: 11 films that define Aishwarya Rai Bachchan's career

Some hate her, some love her but no one can ignore her – that’s the charisma of Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, who has the power to turn heads and make tongues wag with just an appearance.

And today, this phenomenon called Aishwarya turns 40, let’s take a walk down the memory lane and have a look at the career-defining roles of Aishwarya Rai Bachchan...

Guzaarish:

Though the film didn’t leave the cash registers ringing at the Box Office but Aishwarya’s performance as the Goan care taker Sofia D’Souza was critically acclaimed in all quarters.

Not only did Aishwarya looked a million bucks in those voluminous skirts but proved yet again that marriage has nothing to do with talent. Once a performer, always a performer.

Aishwarya bagged a number of coveted awards for the film.

Jodha Akbar:

Aishwarya played Hindu princess Jodha, who was married to Muslim prince Akbar. She did complete justice to the character not just in terms of looks but also with her impressive performance.

She was teaming up with Hrithik Roshan for the second time after Dhoom 2 and the audiences were loving this reunion.

Aishwarya won the Star Screen Award and V.Shantaram Award for Best Actress for Jodha Akbar.

Provoked:

Aishwarya Rai has many a successful commercial films in her kitty. However, she is one of the very few Bollywood actresses who are also known for showing their mettle in parallel cinema.

One such film was Provoked, where the character played by Aishwarya was loosely based on loosely based on the real life ordeal of Kiranjit Ahluwalia who killed her abusive husband.

Once again an off-beat film, where Aishwarya’s talent was highly appreciated.

Guru:

This film was special in Aishwarya’s life for reasons more than one. Not only did the otherwise uber modern Aishwarya stumped one and all with her village belle act but it was with this film, that her relationship with Abhishek Bachchan reached the grand finale of marriage.

Surprisingly, Aishwarya didn’t bag any award for this film, though she was nominated in most of the awards in Best Actress category.

Dhoom 2:

When critics were lashing out at Aishwarya for putting on flab, Aishwarya surprised one and all by donning a slimmer than ever avatar in Dhoom 2.

It was a first out and out actioner for Aishwarya, where her Sunehri act was loved and appreciated by all her fans.

Thanks to her million dollar looks in the film, Aishwarya bagged the MTV Most Stylish Femake Award besides many other nominations.

Umrao Jaan:

Yet another film that didn’t make a lot of money but still remains a landmark film in Aishwarya’s career. Aishwarya looked like a dream in the remake of original Umrao Jaan that had Rekha in the lead.

Not only did Aishwarya justified, why she was chosen to get into Rekha’s shoes but also added a new dimension to the character.

Can you think of any other actress, who could have played Umrao with Rekha’s ease and elegance?

Raincoat:

It was a treat to watch Aishwarya playing Neerja, a housewife and an estranged girlfriend of a man who bumps into her suddenly.

It was beautiful to watch Aishwarya strike a fine balance while portraying a sensitive character in this award winning film that also starred Ajay Devgn.

Even she walked away with many acclaimed awards and nominations after the film. Aishwarya won the Zee Cine Award for the best actress for Raincoat.

Chokher Bali:

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan as Bengali bou Binodini, who loses her husband immediately after her marriage was top notch.

She portrays the pain and yearning of a young widow with utmost perfection.

Dressed in pristine white sarees, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan was one of the reasons that the film directed by Rituparno Ghosh was lapped up at many coveted film fests and managed to bag some National honours too.

She was bestowed upon with Anandlok Awards for the Best Actress.

Devdaas:

She eternalized Paro for the modern day movie goers. It will be tough to replace Aishwarya as Paro in the memories of any Devdaas fans for a long time.

She played the Bengali beauty with complete dedication and brought the required zest, power and pain to Paro’s character.

The lady swept away all the major awards for the best Actrtess that year for her performance.

Taal:

One of the first few films that established that even models can act and this one named Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is here to stay in Bollywood for a long time.

In the movie directed by Subhash Ghai, Aishwarya Rai played Mansi, who falls in love with a rich boy Manav and displays the nitty-gritties of love affaor between two people belonging to different stratum of society with gusto.

Aishwarya bagged the Zee Gild Best Actress award for Taal.

Hum Dil de Chuke Sanam:

This will remain one of the most important films in Aishwarya Rai Bachchan’s career. Hum Dil de CHuke Sanam was the film that announced Aishwarya Rai Bachchan’s arrival in the industry after a stint of not so great films.

Starring Salman Khan as the main lead, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam was a much-talked about film due to the increasing proximities between the lead stars, who later on chose to part ways.

Even in this year it was a clean sweep for Aishwarya, who didn’t let any other nominee win in Best Actress Category.