Aishwarya Rai in her Miss World red gown: of crown and glory

Aishwarya Rai on stage - the crown and glory of Miss World.

Below, Rai, preparing and at fittings. 

Back when she had a sense of humour, someone asked her what her beauty secret was and she joked on camera, "Makeup!". 

You can find the clip online. But really, Ash just had the most chiseled features. 

Aishwarya Rai: Showtime: June 1996

Aishwarya Rai, 22, on the cover of Showtime magazine! 

 One of her most sensational cover shoots, high glamour and at her sensual best. 

The Flamenco Dress in Bollywood; Helen, Rekha, Madhuri Dixit

The stylist edit:  The sparklling red and black lace fringed flamenco dress in Bollywood; Helen, Rekha, Madhuri Dixi! 

Iconography: Rekha in Utsav: Iconic curvacious Indian beauty

Rekha, 30, in Utsav. Leena Daru did the memroable costumes and accessories for the leading lady

TBT to 2003; Aishwarya Rai on the cover of Cine Blitz

 

Aishwarya Rai

Calling all Aishwarya Rai fans; is this look from Khakee or Kyun! Ho gaya na...? 

 

Aishwarya Rai

Aishwarya Rai in Aur Pyar Ho Gaya

The summer of 1997, Aishwarya Rai, 23, hit the big-screen in her first Hindi film venture. 

Not a great film, but as a rom com its... its fine. Have seen it several times just to see 'the' Aishwarya Rai...  When she first bursts into the screen, I remember watching a cinema full of theatre goers who whistled. She was a star-born from the get-go.  

 

Aishwarya Rai for L'Oreal

 

Madhuri Dixit

 Look from... Ram Lakhan? 

Aishwarya Rai and Bobby Deol in Aur Pyaar Ho Gaya (1997)

Aishwarya Rai and Bobby Deol in Aur Pyaar Ho Gaya (1997)

Bollywood Brides: Ladies in red

 

Sunny Deol and Aishwarya Rai in Indian (1997)

Sunny Deol and Aishwarya Rai in Indian (1997). One of the most grand launches in the history of Bollywood. Sadly, the film was shelved. Then brought back to life again - but without Ash.

Aishwarya Rai and Sunny Deol posed on the cover of Stardust during the pre-publicity shots - March 1997 issue. 

 

Aishwarya Rai and Akshay Kumar in Khakee (2004)

 Aishwarya Rai and Akshay Kumar in Khakee (2004) 

Aishwarya Rai for L'Oreal: Brand Ambassador

Aishwarya Rai for L'Oreal: Brand Ambassador 
 

Raveena Tandon in the 1990s: Profile portrait

Raveena Tandon in the 1990s: Profile portrait 

An archive of some of our fav Raveena Tandon pics here. Having started her career as a model first, she's been photographed by some of the great photographers of India. 

Rekha: 80s Fashion Icon of Bollywood: Lady in Red

Rekha: 80s Fashion Icon of Bollywood: Lady in Red 

Rekha in Jaal (1986)

 Rekha in Jaal (1986)

 Rekha is absolutely stunning in this revenge drama thriller. 

Aishwarya Rai on the sets of Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999)

Aishwarya Rai on the sets of Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999)

Exquisite Rekha in Silsila: Her most polished performance, look

Exquisite Rekha in Silsila: Her most polished performance, look... 

Truly divine Re' 

She must have been age 26 or 27 around this time.