Jul 27, 2024
Instagram/Aishwarya Rai Bachchan; imdb
On Aishwarya Rai Bachchan’s 49th birthday, let’s take a look at her remarkable regional films that prove she’s one of India’s best crossover actors.
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan began her acting career with Mani Ratnam’s ‘Iruvar’ in 1997. It was a dream debut for the actress, in which she got to star opposite Mohanlal and also played a double role.
In 1998, the actress featured opposite actor Prashanth in S Shankar’s romantic comedy ‘Jeans’. Her beauty and songs shot at picturesque locations across the world turned out to be the major highlight of the film.
After delivering massive hits in Bollywood in the late ‘90s, the actress shared the screen with Mammootty in Rajiv Menon’s romantic drama ‘Kandukondain Kandukondain’ in 2000. The film was based on Jane Austen’s novel ‘Sense and Sensibility’.
In 2003, the actress received critical acclaim for her performance as Binodini, a widow who refrains from conforming to regressive societal norms. The film was directed by Rituparno Ghosh and was based on the adaptation of Rabindranath Tagore’s novel 'Chokher Bali'.
In 2010, the actress received critical acclaim for her performance in Mani Ratnam’s Tamil action-drama ‘Raavanan’. She starred opposite Chiyaan Vikram and Prithviraj Sukumaran in the film.
The same year, the actress starred in another Mani Ratnam blockbuster ‘Enthiran’ opposite superstar Rajinikanth. The film essays the story of a robot ‘Chitti’ who falls in love with the scientist's girlfriend played by Bachchan. The film earned Rs 300 crore worldwide.
The film marks Bachchan’s fourth film with Mani Ratnam, in which she plays the character of Pazhavoor Queen Nandini. The film is based on the novel by late Tamil writer Kalki Krishnamurthy, and her performance received massive plaudits from critics and fans.