Aishwarya Rai in Hamara Dil Aapke Paas Hai

Aishwarya Rai in Hamara Dil Aapke Paas Hai

 

 Above: Film director Satish Kaushik with Aishwarya Rai on set

Aishwarya Rai's first Gladrags cover

Gladrags, 1992

 

Gladrags' obsession with light-skinned light-eyed beauties goes far back. Its most famous model and successful print edition featured Indo-Canadian export Lisa Ray. Young Aishwarya Rai was also featured on Gladrags covers early on  - and they weirdly took credit for her launch when she had already appeared in ads and other magazine covers... In the above image, Ash was just 18! When Lisa Ray first appeared on the cover of Gladrags, she was 19. For many aspiring models, the publication gave them opportunity, a kickstart for their portfolio and wherever it took them.  

Gladrags evaporated from newsstands when Maureen Wadia abandoned her once pet-project when age and poor health caught up with her. Without her propelling the magazine, it faltered and crashed on newsstands. Gone without a bang, but a whimper...    

Lisa Ray in Galdrags

TBH Gladrags was an editorial mess... it didn't know what it wanted to be; feature prominent Western stars and gossip or feature more Indian articles and interviews. It featured a lot of young, new aspiring male and female models, and has an archive of images of people who became, eventually, really famous. It was a great portfolio for young photographers, makeup artists and stylists to showcase creative, often sensual and very sexy, portfolios. Some of the shots of women, and on occasionally men, were very clutch-my-pearls gasp shocking... but are completely tame compared to the Insta thot shots that contemporary models are revealing today. Gladrags could have become as relevant today as it was back then, as till date it is/was a great launch pad for female and male models. It was often a steppingstone for several people who became stars, both big and small, who weren't nepo babies, who didn't get opportunities by the gatekeepers of media.

A quick, semi deep-dive; Gladrags was a Mumbai-based fashion and lifestyle magazine (also functioning as a men's magazine with swimsuit features of scantily clad women) published by the Wadia Group. Founded and edited by Maureen Wadia (wife of industrialist Nusli Wadia), the magazine was launched in the early 1990s (around 1989–1991) primarily to support promotional efforts for Bombay Dyeing. In January 2019, the official Instagram account celebrated "30 years of Gladrags," ipso facto pointing to a launch around 1989! 

At its peak, it was a platform for fashion, modeling, and glamour content, and became well-known for its associated beauty pageants as the magazine organized the annual Gladrags Manhunt and Megamodel Contest (starting in 1994), which served as a major launchpad for many Indian models who later became Bollywood actors, supermodels, and celebrities. It included regional selections, grooming/training, and swimsuit rounds, with winners often featured on the magazine cover and gaining visibility for modeling or film careers.

Notable stars whose careers were launched or significantly boosted through Gladrags contests (winners or prominent participants):John Abraham — Winner of Gladrags Manhunt 1999; went on to a successful Bollywood career.

Dino Morea — Manhunt winner 1995; Bollywood actor and model.

Aditi Gowitrikar — Megamodel winner 1996; actress and model.

Zulfi Syed — Manhunt winner (1996–97); model/actor.

Muzamil Ibrahim — Manhunt winner 2003; model who walked hundreds of shows.

Sidharth Shukla — Participated (runner-up in 2004); later became a popular TV actor and Bigg Boss winner.

Others: Arjun Rampal (prominent model associated with the era), Rajat Bedi (first Manhunt winner 1994), Aanchal Kumar, Koena Mitra, Mugdha Godse, Candice Pinto, and many more who became supermodels or entered films, finding success or failing to make an impact, they got their foot in at notoriously difficult Bollywood and its perilous gatekeepers. 

Gladrags has a far more ambiguous relationship with the outspoken Lara Dutta — Winner of Gladrags Megamodel 1995 (at age 16); later Miss Universe 2000 and who went on to become a fine Bollywood actress. Lara Dutta sued Gladrags in early April 2005 (case filed in the Bombay High Court), as Dutta filed a copyright infringement suit against Gladrags (specifically its managing editor Maureen Wadia). as they were using her old photographs and images without her permission on hoardings, posters, and promotional material for their upcoming supermodel contest. She alleged this violated her copyright over her own images, but there was also an underlying grievance that Gladrags had not promoted her adequately after her win and were still claiming credit for her later success (she went on to win Miss Intercontinental 1997 and Miss Universe 2000), while exploiting her pictures for their branding. The articulate, sharply intelligent Ms Dutta won; the court ruled in Lara Dutta’s favour within a week or so (around 12–13 April 2005). The Bombay High Court ordered Gladrags to immediately stop using Lara Dutta’s pictures on their hoardings and promotional materials. 

It was a quick victory for Lara on the issue of unauthorized use of her photographs, and the matter was widely reported in 2005 as “Lara Dutta wins Gladrags battle.”  The civil copyright case focused on image rights rather than a long-drawn dispute, and there is no record of major financial compensation or further escalation. However, the incident highlighted early awareness around image rights and celebrity control over their photographs in the Indian entertainment industry, especially for models and pageant winners associated with contests like Gladrags. Gladrags was restrained from using her images; and rightfully so. The way they promoted the men, Ray or Rai, was very different from how they projected and promoted Lara. Well, in essence, they didn't - until it was convenient to do so. 

Gladrags will sadly be forgotten soon unless its funded richly for a comeback. The contest it created is credited with discovering and launching dozens of Indian models and stars in the 1990s–2000s, helping shape the Indian fashion and entertainment industry during its boom. It also expanded to Mrs. India, Little Miss & Master contests. While not every winner became a massive Bollywood star, it provided early breaks to numerous faces who dominated ramps and screens. 

There is no clear public information on an exact final print edition or official discontinuation date for the magazine. Contests were held as late as 2016–2017 (with winners like Ansh Duggal and others announced), but it seems like a dead end like other print media... Cine Blitz, Showtime, Stardust and other remnants of pop culture ink. 

Like many print magazines in the 2010s–2020s, Gladrags likely faced declining print circulation and transitioned or scaled back significantly. No specific "last issue" date (e.g., year or month) is widely documented in available sources. The launchpad of many is sadly buried six-feet under. 

Lisa Ray crowns Aishwarya Rai during one of the rounds at the Miss India pageant

Dazzling Aishwarya Rai with legends Dilip Kumar and Saira Banu

Aishwarya Rai attends an event where the great Dilip Kumar was the guest of honour. With his wife Saira Banu, who also was famously known for her beauty, high fashion, and dancing skills back in the day.  
 

Aishwarya Rai: pretty in pink

Aishwarya Rai: pretty in pink. 

From the film... anyone recognise the full look?  

Stunning Aishwarya Rai's gingham dress from the 90s: Hrithik Roshan, Ash share Stardust cover

Stunning Aishwarya Rai's gingham dress from the 90s: Hrithik Roshan, Ash share cover!

Throwback to March 2000, Stardust's classic cover. 

 

Aishwarya Rai vs Zendaya: Drona premiere 2008 vs The Drama premiere 2026

Of gown and glory! Aishwarya Rai-Bachchan back in October 2008 for the Indian premiere of hubby Abhishek Bachchan's film Drona. 

Zendaya for The Drama earlier this week. 

Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai in Kuch na Kaho (2003)

 

The directorial debut of Rohan Sippy [son gof Ramesh 'Sholay' Sippy], with Aishwarya Rai, 29, (as Namrata) alongside Abhishek Bachchan, 27, (as Raj Malhotra) and Arbaaz Khan, 36, (as Sanjeev). 

The story follows Raj, a young man reluctant to marry, whose uncle assigns his secretary Namrata (who has a complicated past) to find him a match—leading to Raj falling for her instead. 

Obviously predictable, but Ash looks and dances like a dream in the film. The songs are absolutely wonderful and timeless, pity we can't say the same for the film, which did average business at the box-office. 

The most memorable directorial touch was the title-sequence of the film. Cute. 

As so much is known about the lead cast, the most inereresting aspect of the film is the debut of the director Rohan Sippy, who was just 31 when he directed this major Bollywood film. 

Rohan Sippy, Mumbai-based Indian film director and producer, best known for his work in Bollywood and Indian OTT space, was born into the legendary Sippy family, he is the son of iconic director Ramesh Sippy and grandson of film producer G.P. Sippy. Rohan studied at Aiglon College in Switzerland and later pursued film studies before entering the industry.

Directorial cebut, Kuch Naa Kaho (2003) marked the beginning of his career, though it was a modest performer at the box office. His breakout film was the wildly fun Bluffmaster! (2005) — a stylish con-heist comedy with Abhishek Bachchan and Priyanka Chopra. It remains one of his most popular and entertaining ventures, appreciated for its slick narration and twists. The soundtrack, including a surprise hit sung by Abhishek, topped the chart for weeks. 

Dum Maaro Dum (2011) followed, a gritty crime drama with an ensemble cast including Abhishek Bachchan, Bipasha Basu, and Rana Daggubati. A hattrick of movies with Abhishek [FYI, seniors Ramesh Sippy worked with Amitabh Bachchan in four films; Sholay, Shaan, Shakti and Akayla!]. 

Nautanki Saala! (2013) was a light-hearted romantic comedy with Ayushmann Khurrana... which, despite decent reviews, fared average at the almight box-office. 

He has also produced films like Taxi No. 9211 (2006) and contributed as writer/producer on projects such as Chandni Chowk to China (2009) [a huge misstep as the film was just awful], and Junglee (2019). 

In recent years, Rohan has successfully transitioned to digital content. He directed seasons of the critically acclaimed web series Criminal Justice (including Criminal Justice: Behind Closed Doors and Criminal Justice: A Family Matter), as well as Shekhar Home (2024), Search: The Naina Murder Case (2025) and an action-comedy Iss Diwali (2025). 

Rohan is also a trustee/member of the MAMI Mumbai Film Festival and has been involved in stage musicals. He brings a mix of commercial entertainment and nuanced storytelling, often blending pace, twists, and strong character arcs. 

Active in both films and high-quality OTT series, he continues to balance mainstream Bollywood with streaming projects, maintaining a low-profile yet respected presence in the industry. Rohan Sippy represents the third generation of the Sippy filmmaking legacy. While his theatrical films had mixed commercial and critical success, his shift to digital platforms has earned him stronger appreciation for tight direction and engaging narratives. He remains a notable name in Indian entertainment, known for his polished craft and family-rooted passion for cinema.

Aishwarya Rai with Abhishek Bachchan: Kuch Na Kaho

 Aishwarya Rai with Abhishek Bachchan: Kuch Na Kaho

The power couple seems to have taken the title of their rom-com to heart; come what may, no matter what the people say, these two have chosen to give the silent treatment to all speculation. About their marriage, daughter, family and so on. Well, its served them well. 

Bhavitha Mandava: A young Indian supermodel in the making

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Aishwarya Rai Bachchan during Fanney Khan's publicity run

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan during her interview runs for Fanney Khan back in 2018. The Hindi-language musical comedy-drama film, a remake of the 2000 Belgian film Everybody's Famous!, was written and directed by debutant Atul Manjrekar, produced under Anil Kapoor Films Company and others, and stars Anil Kapoor in the titular role as a struggling singer and over-ambitious father, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan as the glamorous superstar singer Baby Singh, Rajkummar Rao, and Divya Dutta. 

The story revolves around a middle-aged father pushing his overweight teenage daughter to become a singing star, leading to comedic and emotional situations involving kidnapping a famous singer.

Anil Kapoor is in fine form... Ash... in parts was great. She was looking great during the publicity run of interviews and shoots... and then...