Power of nine
by: Harneet Singh & Afsana Ahmed
- expressindia.com & timesofindia.com
It was just another working day for Aishwarya Rai until her mother, Vrinda, read a London newspaper. ‘‘Mom was like, hello, look what’s written here about you. And then people on the sets started congratulating me,’’ Rai giggles over the phone.
The actor, who is in the UK shooting for Jagmohan Mundra’s Provoked, is referring to the Harpers & Queen list of the 100 most beautiful women in the world.
While Hollywood hottie Angelina Jolie topped the magazine’s charts, Rai made it to the top 10. "Nine out of one hundred is not bad ya," she laughs. Model and actress Padma Lakshmi came in at 28.
Rai is kicked about the fact that the list has a cross section of women from all walks of life. "It’s not just about physical beauty. It’s really about the complete person. I mean, people like Charlotte Rampling are there on the list. The news made me smile," she says.
It’s been a good summer for Rai. After the positive press in Cannes, she went on the Oprah Winfrey show. "I was unabashedly excited on the show. What you’re going to see is Aishwarya, the girl. It was an honour to meet Oprah, and to be interviewed by her was something else," she says. The show’s prime-time telecast in India is on Sunday.
While the whole world now knows that Rai gifted Oprah a saree, not many know that Oprah sent her a message saying that she’s kept it and will soon be teaching American women how to tie one.
"They made a TiVo of the episode and are really serious about learning how to wear a saree. I’m so happy that my gift has become a reference," she adds.
International escapades apart, Rai currently has local front-bencher approval for her spicy number Kajra Re in Bunty aur Babli.
After her latest assignment Provoked is canned next week, Rai is off to Amsterdam for the IIFA awards. She starts shooting for Rohan Sippy’s untitled film with Abhishek Bachchan in June-end. "Right now, I’m just enjoying the moment."
- expressindia.com
Actor Aishwarya Rai on being ranked 9th among the world's 100 Most Beautiful Women:
"I feel on top of the world. It's an amazing feeling! And all the women who are featured in the list are so beautiful in their own ways. They have touched people's hearts in some form or the other. I still can't believe that I am a part of this." Aishwarya Rai just cannot conceal her excitement. And she has all the reasons in the world to feel elated. She's ranked ninth in Harpers and Queen magazine's list of the top 100 most beautiful women in the world. Giving her company in the list are, among others, Hollywood hottie Angelina Jolie, supermodel Christy Turlington, Queen Rania of Jordan and film director Sophia Coppola. The list has been complied by 1,000 fashion, arts and media experts.
Ash is upbeat at the exciting turns her life has taken. "God has always been kind to me. Believe me, when things appear bleak, I just hang on there and surrender to God. He takes care of everything. I always emerge smiling. But I am truly privileged," says the actor, speaking from London. Ash is in London shooting for Jagmohan Mundhra's film Provoked. "I didn't know about the list, till mom showed me the morning newspapers on that day. I am happy," she says.
Ash has other reasons to be happy also. Amitabh Bachchan, who she did an item number with in Bunty Aur Babli, smsed her praising her performance in the dance sequence. "Everybody loved it. I think when things look up, they move in a positive direction," says Aishwarya, who will be flying to IIFA from London.
- timesofindia.com
