Aishwarya Rai in Taal

Released on August 13, 1999 (FYI on Sridevi's birthday!), Taal (and Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam released just two months before) catapulted Aishwarya Rai to another league after a few false starts, hype and hooplah (although Iruvar, despite its box office state is a masterpiece).

There's been no looking back for the superstar since then.