How Aishwarya Rai Bachchan Paved Way For Bollywood In Hollywood

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan – the diva whose journey to becoming a global icon opened doors for Bollywood actors to gain worldwide recognition. She became a pioneer of Indian cinema on the global stage, starting with her Miss World crown in 1994, which propelled her into Bollywood and eventually led to international opportunities.

How did it all start?Aishwarya rose to fame with her performances in films like Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, Devdas, and Taal, mesmerising audiences with her outstanding talent. Devdas, in particular, deserves special mention as it marked her Hollywood journey. The film premiered at the 2002 Cannes Film Festival, which she attended as part of its promotion. This was her first appearance at Cannes, sparking a long-lasting relationship with the festival and ultimately bringing increased international attention to Indian cinema. Hollywood debut deetsHer Hollywood debut came with Gurinder Chadha’s Bollywood-inspired adaptation of Jane Austen's classic, Bride and Prejudice. Through her performance, she effortlessly flaunted the beauty of Indian storytelling. She received more offers from the West, including The Mistress of Spices and The Pink Panther 2, where she starred alongside Steve Martin. Aishwarya became a Cannes icon throughout her career, even becoming the first Indian actress to serve on the Cannes jury in 2003. Her back-to-back appearances at Cannes have significantly shaped the perception of Bollywood internationally, introducing audiences around the world to Indian cinema and culture. ALSO READ: This crossover success has paved the way for Indian actors to reach global audiences, expanding opportunities for Indian talent in international projects. Now, we have actresses like Priyanka Chopra, Deepika Padukone, and Alia Bhatt who are bagging projects in Hollywood. On the occasion of the diva's 51st birthday, we wish her a year filled with joy and prosperity.