Aamir Khan has great potential, as does Shah Rukh Khan. As for Aishwarya Rai, they worshipped her in Cannes.
- Ismail Merchant on bridging the gap between Bollywood and the world (filmmaker)

I couldn’t have imagined anyone making a more convincing Mahalaxmi. It’s one of the most interesting women characters one has seen in recent times.
- Raj Kumar Santoshi (director)

I think there is definitely a very huge price to pay when you are as beautiful as Aishwarya Rai is. There is huge price to pay when your entire projection has always been that of perfection. So even if the poor girl does something, as sneeze in public, it's news, and it's bad news. So I really wish that media would give Aishwarya Rai a break because I think a girl goes through a lot of pressure all the time from everybody from the Madame Tussauds, to the world press, to English movies etc. It just like that the world is expected out of Aishwarya Rai. She is just a girl, she will take her time and I am sure she will come out of it.
- Sushmita Sen (actress)

I think Aishwarya was a tough cookie. She was unflappable. That’s what’s beautiful about her. The way she handled me was perfect!
- Karan Johar on the most intimidating guest he's had on his 'Koffee with Karan' talkshow (director)

I'm very fortunate to get "Shabd" where I've been seen as mature enough to fit in with Sanjay Dutt and Aishwarya. I've always been an ardent admirer of Aishwarya. To get the opportunity to work with her so early in my career is a privilege.
- Zayed Khan (actor)

Aishwarya is very graceful. She must have learnt Kathak sometime. I loved her "Dola re" song in "Devdas" and the "Nimbooda" song in "Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam".
- Helen (actress)

I'm a fan of a few Bollywood films. I have seen Devdas and Lagaan, both great films. I loved Devdas - the actress was amazing! I cried towards the end of the film.
- Beyonce Knowles (singer, actress)

I wouldn’t mind being bodyguard to a lot of ladies, actually. But, yes, I find Jennifer Lopez very pretty and like her a lot. I’d like to be JLo’s bodyguard! Coming back home, it would be Aishwarya.
- Dino Morea (actor)

I think how long an actress lasts is a very individual thing. It's all about good planning. A lot of people become insecure and sign films in a hurry and they have a lot of bad films which ultimately affect their careers. But see a Madhuri or a Juhi or a Karisma Kapoor or Aishwarya Rai they have lasted long because they have planned their careers well.
- Mallika Sherawat (actress)

I am proud of Aishwarya. She has given every Indian a reason to be proud. I don't understand the concept of comparing myself with others. I have never compared myself with Ash or anybody. For me, everything that life offers is a gift, be it a flop or a failure.
- Sushmita Sen (actress)

Sushmita might slip into all different kinds of roles which is what might keep her going, whereas Aishwarya is the big screen girl, the big heroine, and she might not want to dabble in other avenues and probably settle down to doing something else. Also I feel Aishwarya might be a Hollywood favourite, eventually.
- Karan Johar on who he thinks will last out as an actress (director)

Of course she has a beautiful face but she's even more beautiful inside, in her soul. I also admire the dignity and strength with which she lives her life.
- Vivek Oberoi on what he admires about Aishwarya (actor)

There are very few people who land on this planet genuinely believing they’ve come with a certain destiny. They are the chosen few. I’m willing to wager that Aishwarya genuinely believes that God has given her so much that she shouldn’t fritter it away. Again, I say this in the most positive way. She may not say this aloud, but Aishwarya has, from day one, known where she’s headed and worked towards it.

I honestly believe she should concentrate on her career in Hollywood. Instead of fighting in the same pond may as well go out and see what you can do on a larger stage. There’s nothing for her to prove here. If a Charlize Theron from South Africa and a Nicole Kidman from Australia can make it there, I don’t see any reason why one of us can’t. I truly hope to see her rising to some level of eminence there.
- Atul Kasbekar (photographer)

For lack of better words, Aishwarya is truly fantastic. It doesn’t happen often to too many people, but I can say that I’m a firm believer in God. I made a wish to work with her, and He made it come true for me. I don’t know how someone can know Aishwarya and not like her. After knowing her, I realised what a wonderful person she actually is, and I’m glad I saw that side of her, or else it would have been a complete disappointment.

I admire her a lot, but at the same time, I’m in a comfort zone with her - we have a good rapport and I think that translates on-screen. If that’s what you call ‘chemistry’, we have it. In no scene did we sense any awkwardness; with a lady like Ash, there usually isn’t. I’m not too gentlemanly with most of my other female co-stars like Esha Deol or Amrita Rao, simply because they’re like my buddies. With Ash I have no other way but to be a thorough gentleman.
- Zayed Khan (actor, costar in "Shabd")

I think she's going to be very particular about showing her body and about any kind of physical, intimate scenes, because she's a good Indian girl at heart.
- Gurinder Chadha on Aishwarya's Hollywood future (director of "Bride & Prejudice")

People are usually bowled over by her beauty but I think Ash is a good actress. A couple of years ago we had done David Dhawan’s Hum Kisise Kum Nahin, which was an out-and-out comedy. Shabd is an emotional drama. Ash is comfortable in both genres. For the record, I’d like to state that Ash is a hassle-free actress and I enjoy working with her. Don’t believe rumours that keep floating around.
- Sanjay Dutt (actor)

Aishwarya Rai is the complete Indian beauty and it's a huge compliment when I am compared to her. I know people think that we look very similar, but it's just the way I was born.
- Sneha Ullal (actress)

It was a wonderful experience working with her. She complimented me on my work and said I was doing very well. The advertisement has quite a filmi story - I play a coolie and my ladylove is Deepti Daryani who is a sweeper at the railway station. I desperately want to win her respect and manage to do it after seeing Ash on the platform TV. She talks about prizes that Coke is offering. I then go on to dream that I've won a trip to Hollywood with Aishwarya. I eventually gain respect and my pictures are splashed all over the papers. It was great working with Ash.
- Rajpal Yadav on making a Coke ad with Aishwarya (actor)

Most of Ash is lost in her beautiful face. So directors keep focussing on that and her acting skills aren't put to use. She is a director's actress. I believe I have brought out the best in Ash. She is a wonderful friend, and we get along like a house on fire. We can chat for hours, or not say a word, and be comfortable.
- Sanjay Leela Bhansali (director, friend)

Aishwarya Rai is not just the first, but also the second most beautiful woman in the world.
- Roger Ebert (film critic)

Rani Mukerji, Preity Zinta, Kajol, Madhuri Dixit, Aishwarya Rai, Juhi Chawla... they’re all beautiful. But I’ve worked so much and so closely with them that I don’t really go, wow, they’re so gorgeous. In fact, I find so many other qualities in them that are as beautiful as their physical appearance.
- Shahrukh Khan (actor)

She's stunningly beautiful.
- Linda Evangelista (supermodel)