A journey through Aishwarya Rai Bachchan's most unforgettable performances -- where grace meets grit, notes Subhash K Jha
Iruvar
Aishwarya dazzled in this Mani Ratnam-helmed Tamil film.
A rare instance of a performance where she could go beyond her physical beauty.
Hum... Dil De Chuke Sanam
Portraying a woman in love with a man she was not married to, Aishwarya's entire demeanour oozed a distant passion.
This film marked her coming of age as an actress.
Kandukondain Kandukondain
Tabu and Aishwarya played sisters in Rajiv Menon's Tamil film. In contrasting roles they dazzled in unison.
Chokher Bali
In Rituparno Ghosh's Bengali screen adaptation of Rabindranath Tagore's novel Aishwarya transformed into the widow who won't be cowed down by tradition.
Devdas
Many consider this to be her best performance to date.
As the lovelorn Devdas' love interest Aishwarya danced and emoted like there was no tomorrow.
Bride And Prejudice
In Gurinder Chadha's adaptation of Pride And Prejudice, Aishwarya was feisty and flirtatious. Ms Austen would have approved.
Guru
As the strong supportive wife of the ambitious wannabe tycoon Aishwarya delivered a solid performance.
Dhoom 2
As the stunning Sunehri the con girl with the coolest dance moves on this side of Hrithik Roshan, Aishwarya had the audience whistling across the nation.
Jodhaa Akbar
Every inch the doughty Rajput queen, Aishwarya was a full manifestation of what Director Ashutosh Gowariker imagined the character to be.
Guzaarish
Somehow Aishwarya always plays off most effectively against Hrithik Roshan.
Here she played the paraplegic artiste's pleasure-point with passionate intensity.