<p>24 years ago when a sultry, blue-eyed girl came knocking at Aamir Khan&#39;s door asking for a Pepsi, she left the entire nation enamoured by her beauty. A year later Aishwarya Rai went on to win the Miss World title and inspired literally a generation of young girls to try their luck in the glamour industry.&nbsp;</p>

<p>When she made her debut in films, in Mani Ratnam&#39;s political drama <em>Iruvar</em> in 1997, critics panned her for her poor dialogue delivery and stiff acting. A film that had stalwarts like Mohanlal and Mamooty, Iruvar failed to make a mark at the Box Office despite critical acclaim. Aishwarya&#39;s Hindi debut the same year, <em>Aur Pyaar Ho Gaya</em> also failed to make a mark. &nbsp;Most had written her off as yet another pretty model who could not act.&nbsp;</p>

<p>But with passing years, the actress not only managed to shut her critics with good performances, but also emerged as one of the biggest global names. She continues to capture the imagination of hundreds of fans despite not doing films regularly.</p>

<p>While much is written about her beauty, her global presence and how she continues to be an icon for nearly three decades, not much is written about the memorable characters she has portrayed on screen over the years. On her 44th birthday, here&#39;s a look at some of her best performances till date.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Kandukondain Kandukondain:&nbsp;</strong> Rajeev Menon&#39;s Tamil Film was an adaptation of Jane Austen&#39;s Sense and Sensibilities. A story of two sisters, Aishwarya was pitted against Tabu, an already award-winning actress by then. Yet Aishwarya held her own and even won critical acclaim&nbsp;for her innocent performance, complimenting Tabu&#39;s mature character.&nbsp;</p>

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<p>A still from the film Kandukondain Kandukondain. (Others)</p>
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<p><strong>Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam:</strong> Aishwarya&#39;s big ticket to fame came in form of Sanjay Leela Bhansali&#39;s romantic drama. Her character Nandini ages through the film- from a naive young girl to a restrained, mature wife. The film earned her her first Filmfare Best Actress Award.&nbsp;</p>

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<p>Aishwarya Rai and Salman Khan in Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (Others)</p>
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<p><strong>Chokher Bali: </strong>&nbsp;Rituporno Ghosh saw what no one else could when he decided to cast a commercial actress like Aishwarya Rai in a classical film like <em>Chokher Bali</em>. Despite an alien language, (the film was in Bengali), a story set back in time, Aishwarya managed to make Binodini her own. A restrained performance, <em>Chokher Bali </em>perhaps managed to shut her critics up about her acting prowess.&nbsp;</p>

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<p>Aishwarya Rai in Chokher Bali (Others)</p>
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<p><strong>Raincoat: </strong>After the critical success of <em>Chokher Bali</em>, Rituporno Ghosh again teamed up with Aishwarya for <em>Raincoat</em>. A Hindi film about two estranged lovers who meet one rainy day to exchange anecdotes about their lives, Raincoat was a beautiful film about longing, separation and pain that love causes. &nbsp;Dressed simply, Aishwarya delivered a restrained performance as the ailing Neerja and emoted through her eyes.&nbsp;</p>

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<p>Aishwarya Rai In Raincoat (Others)</p>
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<p><strong>Guzarish: </strong>&nbsp;Sanjay Leela Bhansali&#39;s second film with Aishwarya dealt with the grave topic of euthanasia. Co-starring Hrithik Roshan, the film had Aishwarya playing Sophia D&#39;Souza, his nurse in the film. A subtle story of love and loyalty, the actress as well as the film earned critical acclaim but was not a commercial hit.&nbsp;</p>

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<p>Aishwarya Rai In Guzarish (Others)</p>
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<p><strong>Provoked: </strong>&nbsp;Perhaps Aishwarya&#39;s best performance till date, <em>Provoked</em> was based on a real-life story. Directed by Jag Mundhra, Aishwarya played a battered wife who after suffering for years at the hands of her abusive husband, retaliates. The actress showcased a range of emotions on screen with absolute ease- never going overboard at any point. It was a difficult role to essay but Aishwarya delivered a memorable performance.&nbsp;</p>

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<p>Aishwarya Rai in Provoked. (Others)</p>
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<p><strong>Jodha Akbar:</strong>&nbsp; Ashutosh Gowarikar&#39;s magnum opus dealt with Emperor Akbar&#39;s love for his first wife, Rajput Princess Jodha. Looking drop-dead gorgeous is all frames, Aishwarya let her eyes do the talking throughout the film.&nbsp;</p>

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<p>Aishwarya Rai in a still from Jodha Akbar (Others)</p>
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<p><strong>Ae Dil Hai Mushkil:&nbsp;</strong> Although her role in the film was small, Aishwarya Rai managed to create maximum impact with her portrayal of a poetess in love with a much younger man. She stepped out of her comfort zone and played seductress and fans couldn&#39;t stop drooling.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


On her 44th birthday, here's a look at some of her best performances till date.

24 years ago when a sultry, blue-eyed girl came knocking at Aamir Khan's door asking for a Pepsi, she left the entire nation enamoured by her beauty. A year later Aishwarya Rai went on to win the Miss World title and inspired literally a generation of young girls to try their luck in the glamour industry. When she made her debut in films, in Mani Ratnam's political drama Iruvar in 1997, critics panned her for her poor dialogue delivery and stiff acting. A film that had stalwarts like Mohanlal and Mamooty, Iruvar failed to make a mark at the Box Office despite critical acclaim. Aishwarya's Hindi debut the same year, Aur Pyaar Ho Gaya also failed to make a mark. Most had written her off as yet another pretty model who could not act. But with passing years, the actress not only managed to shut her critics with good performances, but also emerged as one of the biggest global names. She continues to capture the imagination of hundreds of fans despite not doing films regularly. While much is written about her beauty, her global presence and how she continues to be an icon for nearly three decades, not much is written about the memorable characters she has portrayed on screen over the years. On her 44th birthday, here's a look at some of her best performances till date. Kandukondain Kandukondain: Rajeev Menon's Tamil Film was an adaptation of Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibilities. A story of two sisters, Aishwarya was pitted against Tabu, an already award-winning actress by then. Yet Aishwarya held her own and even won critical acclaim for her innocent performance, complimenting Tabu's mature character. A still from the film Kandukondain Kandukondain. (Others) × Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam: Aishwarya's big ticket to fame came in form of Sanjay Leela Bhansali's romantic drama. Her character Nandini ages through the film- from a naive young girl to a restrained, mature wife. The film earned her her first Filmfare Best Actress Award. Aishwarya Rai and Salman Khan in Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (Others) × Chokher Bali: Rituporno Ghosh saw what no one else could when he decided to cast a commercial actress like Aishwarya Rai in a classical film like Chokher Bali. Despite an alien language, (the film was in Bengali), a story set back in time, Aishwarya managed to make Binodini her own. A restrained performance, Chokher Bali perhaps managed to shut her critics up about her acting prowess. Aishwarya Rai in Chokher Bali (Others) × Raincoat: After the critical success of Chokher Bali, Rituporno Ghosh again teamed up with Aishwarya for Raincoat. A Hindi film about two estranged lovers who meet one rainy day to exchange anecdotes about their lives, Raincoat was a beautiful film about longing, separation and pain that love causes. Dressed simply, Aishwarya delivered a restrained performance as the ailing Neerja and emoted through her eyes. Aishwarya Rai In Raincoat (Others) × Guzarish: Sanjay Leela Bhansali's second film with Aishwarya dealt with the grave topic of euthanasia. Co-starring Hrithik Roshan, the film had Aishwarya playing Sophia D'Souza, his nurse in the film. A subtle story of love and loyalty, the actress as well as the film earned critical acclaim but was not a commercial hit. Aishwarya Rai In Guzarish (Others) × Provoked: Perhaps Aishwarya's best performance till date, Provoked was based on a real-life story. Directed by Jag Mundhra, Aishwarya played a battered wife who after suffering for years at the hands of her abusive husband, retaliates. The actress showcased a range of emotions on screen with absolute ease- never going overboard at any point. It was a difficult role to essay but Aishwarya delivered a memorable performance. Aishwarya Rai in Provoked. (Others) × Jodha Akbar: Ashutosh Gowarikar's magnum opus dealt with Emperor Akbar's love for his first wife, Rajput Princess Jodha. Looking drop-dead gorgeous is all frames, Aishwarya let her eyes do the talking throughout the film. Aishwarya Rai in a still from Jodha Akbar (Others) × Ae Dil Hai Mushkil: Although her role in the film was small, Aishwarya Rai managed to create maximum impact with her portrayal of a poetess in love with a much younger man. She stepped out of her comfort zone and played seductress and fans couldn't stop drooling.

Aishwarya Rai @ 44: 8 roles which made her a mega star!

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