Perfection: Aishwarya Rai

Aishwarya Rai in Devdas. Perfection on screen.

Mike Ruiz captures Aishwarya Rai

Ace American photographer Mike Ruiz captures Aishwarya Rai as never before. Gorgeous.

Aishwarya Rai in Umrao Jaan

Sure she looked other-worldly, but the movie Umrao Jaan by JP Dutta, was un-watchable. Blame the director and writer (and perhaps the editor too - that movie needed some serious chopping!) for the yawn-fest. Even the most hardcore Aishwarya Rai fans - which we are - could barely stomach it. Confession, even we bought the dvd, just to skip it along to look at her all day and night. And not watch the film! Songs were gorgeous. So were the outfits. And the movie that was a stepping stone for the Bachchan-Rai nuptial. So perhaps, not all for a loss...

Aishwarya Rai in Devdas

In the history of Indian cinema, there might never be a visual as strong as the one of Aishwarya Rai in Devdas. In sari-clad, bejeweled, (over) decked out Rai is just breathtakingly beautiful and held her own in a film studded with movie stars of greater volume. Critics in India go after Rai hammer and tongs, for no reason. She did a splendid job. That finale will haunt viewers in ethereal eternity.

Aishwarya Rai in Taal (1999)

There's a moment when Aishwarya Rai appears in this song Ramta Jogi, where I distinctly remember hearing a collective audience gasp when the stunner appears in all her magnificence in the second verse.

Beautiful beyond belief, in her sensuous avatar of singer/dancer Mansi in Taal, this was Ash Rai at her finest hour. Released in the summer of 1999, there was no one hotter in Mumbai than this beauty queen.

Aishwarya Rai

Aishwarya Rai!

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan

It must be a sin to look this good while going to a prayer meet. Seriously. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is too divine for words.

At Guru Audio Launch

Aishwarya Rai at the audio launch of Guru.

Aishwarya Rai

Aishwarya Rai, advert, Longines, perfection.

Rekha 2014

Rekha in the terrible and regressive flick Super Naani (2014). Despite the movie being bad, seen just to have a look at the wonder that is Rekha. Timeless beauty and legend indeed.

Devdas

Not everyone can stand up to Madhuri Dixit in a film - many actresses have been completely overshadowed. Aishwarya Rai sure as hell held her own in this dramatic scene in Devdas. Both were faultless. To Rai's regal demeanor, Dixit provided the perfect foil of humility and pride.

Devdas - though walloped by critics at the time - is a glorious OTT ode to ol' school glamor of vintage Bollywood - set with modern stars. Its gorgeous viewing - loud - but beautiful...

at Miss World 2014 in London

The most successful Ms World of all-time? Possibly.

Rekha and Amitabh Bachchan

Rekha

Rekha

Devdas: Aishwarya Rai

Aishwarya Rai in Devdas. Perfection on screen.

Woman in White

Gorgeous Aishwarya Rai at events in white. Be it a sari or salwar, at her simplest, she looks the most stunning.

First pic, at the audio launch of Guru. The other, TBC.