Happy Birthday Aishwarya Rai: 5 lesser known facts about the actor

Ever since she was crowned Miss World in 1994, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan has been a household name in the country.

While she is often referred to as “the most beautiful woman in the world,” the star also proved her acting prowess with iconic films like Guru (2007), Jodhaa Akbar (2008), and Enthiran (2010).

Over the years, Rai Bachchan has also represented Indian cinema on global platforms on many occasions. With over 40 films and numerous accolades to her name, the star is known to keep her private life, very private.

Here are some interesting facts about Aishwarya Rai Bachchan that every fan should know.

Also watch | Aishwarya Rai is a vision in white as she walks the ramp at Paris Fashion Week

1. Aishwarya was in Class 9 when she starred in her first ad

Before her rise to fame in the 90s, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan did her first commercial when she was still in school, for Camlin pencils. However, it was a popular advertisement for Pepsi back in 1993—co-starring Aamir Khan—that put her in the spotlight.

2. Aishwarya was offered 'Raja Hindustani' before she won Miss India

It wasn't the pageant crowns that drove Aishwarya to acting.The actor was offered numerous films even before she was crowned Miss World. If Ash hadn’t taken part in Miss India, 1996 film 'Raja Hindustani' would have been her break in Bollywood.

3. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan initially wanted to pursue medicine

Modelling and acting weren’t the Bollywood icons first career choices. She initially wanted to pursue a career in medicine, and her favourite subject was zoology. Later, she dropped the idea to study architecture instead, at the Rachana Sansad Academy of Architecture in Mumbai.

4. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan has a flower named after her

A special variety of tulips in the famous Keukenhof garden in the Netherlands was named after Aishwarya Rai Bachchan back in 2005. The managing director of the Netherlands board of tourism, said the tulips were a celebration of Rai Bachchan’s beauty.

5. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan has many firsts to her name
She became the first Indian actress to be a jury member at the Cannes Film Festival in 2003. Ash was the first Indian to be invited to the Oprah Winfrey show, and she's also the first female actor to have her own wax statue at Madame Tussauds.

We wish this gorgeous diva, a very happy birthday!