Aishwarya Rai at an event

 Floral for spring... 

 Ash looking incredible as always. 

Is this the best Aishwarya Rai's ever looked at an event?

Pre marriage, Aishwarya Rai looking breathtakingly beautiful was such a common occurrence that the press and net got satiated on it... Oh yeah, she looks great, yawn.... 

Now when you look back, as we did at this promo event for Provoked back in 2007, its incredible how staggeringly beautiful, elegant and regal, the queen of Bollywood looked.

We can't turn back the clock and Ash will probably never look like this again - but if only she'd go back to retaining the styling, an elegant sari, minimal jewellery, clean makeup... and just let her divine beauty shine. We are still recovering from her last Cannes appearance. 

Mamta Kulkarni at 53: Rekha at age 53!

Mamta Kulkarni, a classic case of a flash in the pan, who made headlines, crappy films and provided ample quotes revealing her intellect, had the absolute gall to state that iconic actress Rekha was just a "cosmetic beauty" while she was a natural beauty. Rekha, 53, in the Hindi film Yatra. Mamta Kulkarni now age 53. Pics say it all... 

Famous for all the wrong reasons, Kulkarni is currently avoiding prison with religious shenanigans and chanting mantras on TV to misdirect an easily gullible audience from her criminal past. Hopefully the long arm of Indian justice will capture her, as the tries to fog the truth with Hinduvata, purging her sins in the media, with no prison time. 

The face off: But Dance to it! Helen, Vyjayanthimala and Shammi Kapoor in Prince (1969)

The dancing face off with Helen, Vyjayanthimala and a hopping and over-acting Shammi Kapoor. 

Compared to the studied perfection of Vyjayanthimala, Helen's grace and incomparable skillset, Shammi Kapoor monkeying around in the dance off in Muqabala humse nah karo comes off... eye-opening. All style no substance, Kapoor was never considered a serious actor, but more of a star. The more you look at this dance... its all flawed, slightly ghastly, electric in an unflattering way... A celebrity, an OG nepo baby, Shammi Kapoor certainly had hit films and song, a long and enduring, prolific career in Hindi cinema with his own fan following. But introspection and analysis, he comes off worse for wear.   

Its funny how hard the ladies worked back then (even now!) versus how the male lead floats around...  
 

Rekha: Eternal light

 

Stylist Edit: The influence of Joan Collins' style and fashion on Indian icon Rekha

The influence of Joan Collins' style and fashion on Indian icon Rekha. When you look, you'll see. The obvious references, inspiration and almost exact styling. How Rekha took note from Joan Collins in Dynasty and incorporated it into her shoots and, on occasion, on film.

Aishwarya Rai in Kuch Naa Kaho (2003)

Aishwarya Rai, 29, in Kuch Naa Kaho (2003). Lilting music, staggeringly beautiful Ash in one of the eight films she worked with Abhishek Bachchan. 

Dhaai Akshar Prem Ke (2000) — Their first Hindi film together, a romantic drama where they were the lead pair. Fantastic songs and dances... just a dreadful movie tho'. 

Kuch Naa Kaho (2003) — Romantic comedy-drama with them in lead roles.

Bunty Aur Babli (2005) — Aishwarya had a special appearance in the iconic song "Kajra Re" alongside Abhishek (and Amitabh Bachchan), counting as a shared film appearance in many tallies.

Umrao Jaan (2006) — Period drama with Aishwarya in the lead and Abhishek Bachchan. Aishwarya's never looked better in a costume drama... yet unfailingly dull. The film was an absolute turkey at the box-office and not a patch on the original Rekha-led Umrao Jaan. 

Dhoom 2 (2006) — Action thriller where Aishwarya played a key role (Sunehri), and Abhishek was one of the leads (ACP Jai Dixit), the film was an escapist summer blockbuster from the get-go. 

Guru (2007) — Biographical drama directed by Mani Ratnam, with them as the central couple, easily their best film together. The most restrained performance by Rai, and a career-defining one for Abhishek Bachchan. 

Sarkar Raj (2008) — Political thriller where Aishwarya appeared alongside Abhishek and Amitabh Bachchan again. Lots of twists and turns in his dark look at the Mumbai mafia. 

Raavan (2010) — Mani Ratnam's epic where they played lead roles (Abhishek as the antagonist, Aishwarya as the female lead), an underrated gem of a film. Exquisitely shot, the stunning visuals and AR Rehman's gorgeous music (Rai and Rehman have quite an interlocked career together), this re-telling of classic Hindu mythology was not well received by the audience. But deserved a second look. 

 

Rare pic: Amrita Aroa and Aishwarya Rai's modeling days

Well now... 

Darling Ammu - such a sweet gal, but she was no patch on Ash. Forget Ash, she barely reached the heights of her supermodel older sister Malaika Arora, the definitive Indian supermodel. 
 

Rare pic: Aishwarya Rai in South Africa back in 1994

Aishwarya Rai, 21, strikes a pose in South Africa. The most obvious Miss World winner who won maximum points for her answers, Miss Photogenic and mass appeal as Rai was easily the audience favourite. 

Aishwarya Rai's debut, fan favourite, masterpiece and cult classic.

 

Well, the idea is fun for a collage, but I firmly disagree with most of the list here tethered to the gorgeous Aishwarya Rai-now-Bachchan

Her debut was Iruvar, fan favourite is probably Taal, the masterpiece is Kandukondain Kandukondain and the cult classic is Guzaarish. 

Fight me.