Aishwarya Rai and Somy Ali

If you know.. you know! 

Bollywood icon and legandary beauty Aishwarya Rai. 

Somy Ali. 

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan's underrated gem: Sarbjit

Released on May 20, 2016, I saw Sarbjit in a near-empty cinema years ago - and on my birthday! Left the theatre in tears, was just deeply moved by the film  - particularly as I went to the screening with my sister. 

A powerful biographical drama directed by Omung Kumar, chronicling the real-life tragedy of Sarabjit Singh, an Indian farmer from Bhikhiwind, Punjab. Mistakenly arrested in 1990 after straying across the border while drunk, he was convicted by Pakistan as a spy and terrorist for 1990 Lahore and Faisalabad bombings that killed 14 people. He spent 22 harrowing years in Lahore’s Kot Lakhpat Jail on death row. His sister Dalbir Kaur’s tireless campaign for justice defined the story until his brutal prison attack in April 2013 led to his death days later.

Randeep Hooda delivered a transformative performance as Sarabjit, a title role and tour-de-force performance that deserved more accolades, awards, recognition, honour.... and yet, it all got eclipsed by the superstar and supreme beauty of his co-star, 'the' Aishwarya Rai. Note how Rai dominates all the publicity posters and stills of the movie - the makers knew they could lean on Rai to bring in audiences, far more than Hooda can - even though, it was 'his' movie. He delivers a shattering performance, but we walked away thinking, even in the shots of Rai serving, cleaning, washing at the Golden Temple, she looked so staggeringly beautiful.  

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan’s portrayal of Dalbir Kaur stands as one of her most underrated acts. The makers made a genuine effort to de-glamorize the global icon - dressing her in simple salwar kameez, minimal makeup, and village-appropriate looks to embody a resilient, ordinary Punjabi woman fighting systemic injustice. Yet, Rai’s staggering beauty and razor-sharp bone structure shone through irresistibly. Even in raw, stripped-down scenes with the makeup toned down, her luminous features and screen presence proved it takes real effort to de-glamorise 'the' Aishwarya Rai. 

She brought sincerity, quiet strength, and emotional depth, shining her luminescent light on this ordinary family’s decades-long pain, suffering, and unyielding hope.

Despite its importance as a true story highlighting cross-border human tragedy, the film received lukewarm reviews and modest reception. It earned around ₹43.8 crore worldwide against a ₹15 crore budget - turning a profit but failing to become a major hit or blockbuster. However, any sensible producer would have known that this wouldn't make 'Dhoom' money, hence it was modestly budgeted - yet packed a powerful punch. 

Many believe audiences stayed away because it lacked a typical Bollywood redemption arc or happy ending. In a country where life is already hard, viewers often seek escapist narratives that reassure them good triumphs and justice prevails. Sarbjit offered no such comfort - mirroring reality’s harshness.

Rai deserved far more accolades for lending her immense star power to this touching tale. Her committed performance got somewhat lost in the haze, though she won Best Actress at events like the BIG ZEE Entertainment Awards and IFFAA. At a time when it was trending to take potshots at the actress, the media seemed wildly reluctant to give her, her flowers } to pilfer the parlance of today. Rai's staggering beauty has always eclipsed her all other skillsets. No matter how hard she works as a dancer, actor, orator, fashionista, her God-given, genetically blessed pulchritude supersedes all. 

An important, well-intentioned film that deserved a wider audience. Hopefully, new gen will find it online and or on OTT. 

Madhuri Dixit Nene with Aishwarya Rai Bachchan

Niranjan Iyengar crashing a pic featuring the two most photogenic women in Bollywood; Madhuri Dixit and Aishwarya Rai.

Beauties and the... um.. East?! 

Aishwarya Rai and Shahrukh Khan in Shakti

Though it was a guest appearance in just the song, Aishwarya Rai and Shahurkh Khan's superhit number Ishq Kamina is all we remember from the Karisma Kapoor-led film Shakti. 

WIth the heavy eye-makeup and saucy stunning looks, its staggering how stunning Ash looked in the song. 

Blonde Ambition: when bad wigs happen to Bollywood babes: Madhuri Dixit, Manisha Koirala and Urmila

 

Blonde Ambition: when bad wigs happen to Bollywood babes: Madhuri Dixit, Manisha Koirala and Urmila 

So many... nos! 

Janhvi Kapoor poses at home

 ....and yes, all we see is the portrait of Sridevi with Boney Kapoor on the mantle. 

Madhuri Dixit by Gautam Rajadhyaksha

Madhuri Dixit by Gautam Rajadhyaksha. 

Much has been written about the symbiotic relationship between dancer Madhuri Dixit and choreographer Saroj Khan, her frequent collaborations with actors like Anil Kapoor and Shahrukh Khan... but the most fruitful, flawless friendship and working relationship she shared was with the gentle giant of photography, the late great Gautam Rajadhyaksha. 

They experimented with looks, style, lighting, poses, wardrobe, wigs... With the aid of the master of makeup, Mickey Contractor. So many of Gautam da's photo essays, books had Madhuri on the cover. In her, he found his perfect muse. In him, a mentor. Fate took him so suddenly - Madhuri was in the US and couldn't even attend his funeral or prayers in time. 

Alas. A rich, photogenic chapter ended so abruptly. 

Many have worked with Dixit since and before, but nothing quite like what the holy trinity of media pulled together; Madhuri, Mickey and Gautam. 

Pooja Bhatt

 

Pooja Bhatt was a petite actress of the 90s - and decked up to the hilt here wearing Xerxes Bhathena's designer desi-wear... it looks like a child wearing grown up clothes. Like Pooja invaded Dimple Kapadia's wardrobe and tried it on for fun. The fit just isn't right. The make up is too much and the hair is... 80s big. 

Put her in summer casuals without a hint of makeup and the naturally pretty babe-next-door appears. 

She was such an icon of the care-free youth movement. 

Aishwarya Rai

90s Aishwarya Rai was unbeatable...

Juhi Chawla's quote that cost her films opposite Salman Khan

 

This quote from Juhi Chawla - said in jest - cost her many films opposite sensitive and touchy Salman Khan, who did not appreciate the humour. Khan went on to refuse any film opposite Juhi Chawla for a decade. And even then, his brief cameo in Deewana Mastana was more for David Dhawan than Juhi - who famously said in Koffee iwth Karan that Salman Khan has never spoken to her in her life! 

Needs to be noted however that no films with Salman Khan didn't cost her anything really - she had a terrific run in Bollywood and remains one of the wealthiest women in Bollywood. 

No harm, no foul!