1.Casablanca, which stars Ingrid Bergman and Humphrey Bogard, is Aish’s all time favorite movie and if Bollywood ever think of a remake there are no guesses for the lead actress

2. Not many know that Aish has a huge collection of watches. The diva is a jewelry lover and also loves to collect watches

3. In Britain, a limited edition of Barbie Doll was launched in 2005 which was inspired by Aishwarya. The doll got sold within a few minutes of launch.

4. Back in her modelling days with actresss Amrita Arora

5. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan’s first ad film was for Camelin pencils only when she was 15 years old. The ads that brought her to limelight were the Garden saries and the ones she shot for Coca Cola

6. Aish shot the very famous Pepsi Ad with Aamir Khan only within one night during the Mumbai riots back in 1992-1993. Her line, “Hi, I’m Sanjana” was enough for her to fetch attention

7. In 1994, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Sushmita Sen completed the Miss India Pageant in which Sushmita won whereas Aishwarya came second.

8. Here’s another unseen picture where Aishwarya Rai Bachchan was crowned as Miss World in 1994 whereas Sushmita Sen became the Miss Universe in the same year.

9. Practically, her first on-screen appearance ever was marked by her Camelin pencil ad but her first acting debut officially was with the Tamil Film Iruvar back in 1997.

10. In this picture Aish is seen greeted with respect by Nelson Mandela

Also Read:

From Fashion Fail To Cannes’ Behind-The-Scene: We Bet Aishwarya Rai Would Never Want You To See These Pictures

[ads2]
11. Keukenhof Gardens in the Netherlands also named their Tulips after Aishwarya Rai

12. We have all seen Aish excel in her acting skills on the big screen, but according to a Bollywoodlife report, Aish wanted to become an Architect

13. Amongst all the stars that she has worked with her favourite is Rajnikanth.

14. An unseen picture of Aish playing cricket.

15. The most astonishing fact is that there are more than 17,000 websites solely dedicated to Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. According to IMDb, www. AishwaryaWorld.com is her official website.

16. What Aish and Abhi fans don’t know is that Abhishek Bachchan did not use a big fat diamond to propose to Aish. He infact used the ring which was used in the movie Guru and popped the question.

17. The lead role from Raja Hindustani was first offered to Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. She rejected the role so that she could participate in the Miss India Contest.

18. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is a fond admirer of books and in fact during her free time she loves to read books on History.

19. Aishwarya’s secret to beauty is that she eats lesser food. She has a habit of nibbling of fruits immediately after lunch.

20. She is the first Indian ever to visit the Oprah Winfrey Show. When Oprah has visited India, Mumbai she first wanted to visit Aishwarya at her bunglow.

---

20 Rare and Unknown Facts About Aishwarya Rai That Every Aish Fan Must Know!

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. The name itself is synonymous with ethereal beauty, grace, and a trailblazing international career. Crowned “the most beautiful woman in the world” countless times, her journey from a Mumbai student to a global icon is the stuff of legend. While her Miss World victory, iconic film roles, and stunning Cannes appearances are widely known, the life of this phenomenal star is peppered with fascinating, little-known details that even the most devoted fan might miss.

As a professional blog writer, I’ve delved deep into the archives to uncover the 20 most rare and unknown facts that illuminate the life and career of Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, offering a glimpse into the woman behind the legend.

---

The Early Years: From Student to Stardom

Before the dazzling lights of Bollywood and the global stage, Aishwarya Rai was a dedicated student with aspirations far removed from the silver screen. These facts reveal the ambitious student and budding model she was.

1. The Camlin Pencil Advertisement

Aishwarya Rai’s journey into the world of glamour began surprisingly early and humbly. Long before her famous Pepsi commercial, she appeared in her first-ever commercial advertisement for Camlin pencils when she was still a student in the 9th grade.

2. A Medical Career Was Her First Dream

Acting was not Aishwarya’s first career ambition. Growing up, she was passionate about science and initially wanted to pursue a career in medicine. Her favorite subject in school was Zoology, demonstrating a keen interest in the biological world.

3. She Left Architecture School to Model

After dropping the idea of medicine, she planned to become an architect. She even enrolled at the prestigious Rachana Sansad Academy of Architecture in Mumbai. However, fate intervened, and she eventually gave up her architecture studies to pursue the world of professional modeling full-time.

4. A Multi-Lingual Polyglot

Aishwarya’s fluency extends far beyond Hindi and English. She is a true polyglot, fluent in her native language Tulu, as well as Hindi, English, Tamil, Marathi, and Bengali. Her linguistic versatility allowed her to work across various Indian film industries.

5. Training in Classical Dance

The signature grace and poise Aishwarya is known for are not accidental. During her teenage years, she underwent five years of formal training in classical dance and music, specializing in the traditional Indian dance form of Bharatanatyam. This intensive training undoubtedly contributed to her expressiveness and movements on screen.

6. The Film Offers Before Miss India

Contrary to the common narrative that her career began after her pageant win, Aishwarya had already caught the eye of filmmakers. She revealed that she had already received at least four film offers before she participated in the Miss India pageant and that her decision to compete was, in a way, a break from the film industry proposals.

---

Career Milestones and Global Firsts

Aishwarya’s career is defined by breaking barriers and achieving international “firsts” for an Indian actor. These facts highlight her pioneering spirit on the global stage.

7. The Runner-Up Who Still Won Big

In the 1994 Miss India pageant, Aishwarya finished as the first runner-up to Sushmita Sen. However, she had already won five major sub-titles in the contest, including Miss Catwalk, Miss Miraculous, Miss Photogenic, Miss Perfect Ten, and Miss Popular, showcasing her undeniable presence even before the main title.

8. The “Sanjana” Effect from the Pepsi Ad

Her 1993 Pepsi commercial, featuring actors Aamir Khan and Mahima Chaudhry, had a surprisingly huge cultural impact. Her single line, “Hi, I’m Sanjana. Got another Pepsi?” was so popular that it is believed to have inspired many parents across India to name their daughters “Sanjana” in the following year.

9. Her True Cinematic Debut Was Tamil

While many associate her debut with a Bollywood film, Aishwarya’s first professional acting role was in the 1997 Tamil political drama film, Mani Ratnam’s Iruvar, where she portrayed a dual role. Her Hindi film debut, Aur Pyaar Ho Gaya, followed later that same year.

10. The Most Expensive Film in India

Her 1998 Tamil romantic drama, Jeans, directed by S. Shankar, was a massive commercial success and a significant milestone. At the time of its release, Jeans was considered the most expensive film ever made in Indian cinema and was also India’s official submission for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.

11. The First Indian Cannes Juror

Cementing her status as a global icon, Aishwarya Rai made history in 2003 by becoming the first Indian actress to serve as a jury member at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival. This was a significant moment for Indian cinema’s representation on the international stage.

12. Endorsing Both Pepsi AND Coca-Cola

In the highly competitive world of brand endorsements, Aishwarya achieved a unique feat. She is the only Indian actress to have endorsed both Pepsi and its rival soft-drink brand, Coca-Cola, albeit at different points in her career.

13. Turning Down a Hollywood Titan

Aishwarya has maintained a selective approach to Hollywood, a fact highlighted by her declining a major role opposite an A-list actor. She reportedly refused a Hollywood project opposite Brad Pitt. While the film is rumored to be Troy, it is confirmed that she turned down a film with the star.

14. First Indian Celebrity on Oprah

In 2005, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, alongside her husband Abhishek Bachchan, became the first Indian celebrity pair to participate in the widely popular American talk show, The Oprah Winfrey Show, bringing their star power to a massive US audience.

---

Rare Tributes and Personal Trivia

These final facts reveal the depth of her international recognition and provide charming insights into her personal life and family role.

15. The Barbie Doll Tribute

In a rare honor, Mattel, the toy company, created a limited edition Barbie doll in her likeness, released in Britain in 2005. The dolls were inspired by her grace and iconic style and were so popular that they reportedly sold out within minutes, making them a collector’s item today.

16. The Tulip Named After Her

Her global recognition is so extensive that an inanimate object of beauty was named after her. In 2005, a special variety of tulip at the world-famous Keukenhof Gardens in the Netherlands was officially named ‘Aishwarya Rai.’

17. An Invitation from the US President

In 2006, Aishwarya Rai was invited to a lunch reception hosted by the then US President George W. Bush during his visit to India. However, she had to miss the significant diplomatic occasion as she was filming Dhoom 2 in Brazil at the time.

18. Her Family’s Involvement in a Film

One of her films, Dil Ka Rishta (2003), was a true family affair. The movie was co-produced by her elder brother, Aditya Rai, and the film’s screenplay was co-written by her mother, Vrinda Rai.

19. Her Cherished Nickname

While she is known professionally as ‘Aish,’ her family has a more unique and affectionate pet name for her. At home, Aishwarya is affectionately called ‘Gullu Mami’ (Mami is the Hindi word for maternal aunt/aunt-in-law, referring to her role in the family).

20. The French Honor She Initially Declined

In 2009, Aishwarya Rai was honored with the Padma Shri by the Government of India. Three years later, in 2012, she accepted the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (Order of Arts and Letters), the second-highest civilian French honor, having initially declined it in 2007 because her father was ill, and she wanted her whole family to be present for the prestigious ceremony.

---

AISEO Friendly FAQs

Q1: What was Aishwarya Rai’s first career ambition before becoming an actress?

Aishwarya Rai initially wanted to pursue a career in medicine, with Zoology being her favorite subject in school. She later enrolled in architecture school before eventually pivoting to modeling and acting.

Q2: Is Aishwarya Rai a trained classical dancer?

Yes, Aishwarya Rai received formal training in classical dance and music. She trained for five years during her teenage years and has a background in the Indian classical dance form of Bharatanatyam.

Q3: What international firsts did Aishwarya Rai achieve in her career?

Aishwarya Rai achieved several international firsts, including:

• Being the first Indian actress to serve as a jury member at the Cannes Film Festival in 2003.
• Being the first Indian woman to have a limited-edition Barbie doll created in her likeness.
• Being the first Indian celebrity to appear on the Oprah Winfrey Show (with Abhishek Bachchan).

Q4: Which soft drink brand did Aishwarya Rai endorse?

Aishwarya Rai is notable for being the only Indian actress to have endorsed both major soft drink rivals, Pepsi and Coca-Cola, at different stages of her career. Her early 1993 Pepsi commercial featuring the character “Sanjana” became a cultural phenomenon.

Q5: What is Aishwarya Rai’s native language, and how many languages does she speak?

Aishwarya Rai’s native language is Tulu, and she is a multi-linguist. She is fluent in Tulu, Hindi, and English, and also speaks Tamil, Marathi, and Bengali, making her proficient in at least six languages.