Aishwarya Rai was born in the South indian state of Karnataka in Manglore on 1st Nov 1973. She was younger of the two siblings, her brother being 3 years elder. When she was about 4 years old, her family moved to Bombay permanently. Her father worked as a merchant navy officer. Aishwarya did her schooling at Arya Vidya Mandir, Santacruz. Academically, she did very well and earned her position as the head girl of her school. Ash chose the science stream while at DG Ruparel College, her favorite subject being Zoology. Aishwarya wanted to do medicine, but circumstances didn't let her. Instead she chose Architecture and passed the interview at Raheja College with flying colors.

By this time, Aishwarya had started getting modelling assignments. She then decided to take a break from architecture and concentrate on modelling. This green-blue eyed beauty stole ads for many prestigious firms, the ones which brought her into the limelight were the garden sari and the pepsi ad. Crowned Miss femina '94 runner up, she was a hot favorite to win the miss world title, which she did ! Her beauty and charm made her India's darling.

Aishwarya started her career with modeling and won the Famous Ford Supermodels Contest at the age of 17. She became the 1 runner up in the Miss India Femina contest 1994 and went on to win the Miss world crown in 1994.

She ventured into films with 'Iruvar' a Tamil film by Mani Ratnam. Rahul Rawail's Aur Pyar Ho Gaya was her first Hindi film but unfortunately it bombed at the box-office. Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam not only gave her the real breakthrough but also proved her mettle as an actress. 'Tal', 'Josh' served to reaffirm her status as an actress.

Aiswarya Rai reteamed with Sajay Leela Bhansali in 'Devdas' which was released world wide and received a special screening at the Cannes Film Festival. The Bengali film Choker Bali', adapted from Rabindranath Tagore's novel 'Binodini' fetch her critics acclaim.

Aishwarya is the first Indian actress to be on the jury of the Cannes International Film Festival (2003) and the first actress and performer from India to be featured on the cover of Time magazine.

Apart from acting & modeling she campaigns for many social causes and has generously volunteered to donate her eyes and set an example for the rest of the world.

She recently completed filming "Bride and Prejudice", directed by Gurinder Chadha ("Bend It Like Beckham"). She is set to star in "Chaos" opposite Meryl Streep for French Director Coline Serreau, Roland Joffe's "Singularity" and Barton Randall's "I Know a Place" and will end the year with "Mistress of Spices" once again with Director Gurinder Chadha