To this ravishing former Miss World goes the credit for shattering the age-old myth that ramp models are too 'wooden-faced' to act in Hindi films. Ash, as Aishwarya is popularly known, also gave a global face to the Indian film star. A sought-after model, she made her debut in Mani Ratnam’s controversial Tamil film, Iruvar (1997), based on a political theme, but the film didn’t do well at the box office. Nor did Rahul Rawail’s Aur Pyar Ho Gaya (1997), which marked her foray into Hindi cinema, putting her career on the edge. Then came Subhash Ghai’s Taal and Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, followed by Mansoor Khan’s Josh. Overnight, Ash was in the big league! She hasn’t looked back ever since. Her interpretation of Paro in Sanjay Bhansali’s stylized version of Devdas seems to endear her to her fans in a big way in spite of critics’ barbs. Though it took her a while to live up to her potential as an actress, her performances in Rituparno Ghosh’s Chokher Bali , Mani Ratnam’s Guru and Jag Mundhra’s Provoked (where she portrays a real life character) were brilliant. Her participation in the 7-minute 'Kajra re' number in Bunty Aur Babli lent more zing to the film, making it a rage. In spite of being panned by local critics, Ash’s interpretation of the protagonist in Gurinder Chaddha’s Bride and Prejudice and The Mistress of Spices won her rave reviews abroad. Ash is the first Indian actress to make her presence felt on the international scene. She was featured on the TIME cover in 2003 as the face of Bollywood, and again in 2004 as one of the ‘World's 100 Most Influential People’. Last year she was featured on Oprah Winfrey’s 'Women Across the Globe' segment. A wax replica of hers went on display in London’s Madame Tussauds museum in 2004. Rai is brand ambassador for the L’Oreal cosmetics company.