Lecture Notes: Interview with Aishwarya Rai

Introduction

• Aishwarya Rai: Queen of Bollywood, international superstar.
• Known for being one of the world's most beautiful women and a mother.

Early Life and Career

• Modeling Career:

  • Began as a teenager; entered the industry through prominent assignments.
  • Won Miss World at 21, changing her life overnight.

• Bollywood Stardom:

  • By 24, became an established name in Bollywood.
  • Known for beauty, international appeal, and roles in Hollywood.

Personal and Professional Life

• Family Background:

  • Raised in a conservative, academically-focused family.
  • Initial aspirations: medicine and architecture.
  • Transitioned into modeling after a professor encouraged her.

• Views on Beauty:

  • Uncomfortable with compliments about physical appearance.
  • Credits her upbringing for a realistic perspective on beauty.

Bollywood and International Career

• Film Debut and Success:

  • Entered Bollywood without anonymity due to her modeling fame.
  • Films like Devdas marked her breakthrough.

• Roles and Choice:

  • Prefers roles that focus on acting over physicality.
  • Declined roles with explicit scenes, like in Troy with Brad Pitt.

Cultural Impact and Controversies

• Cultural Representation:

  • Miss World role allowed her to educate about modern India.
  • Faced cultural challenges, like wearing swimsuits in pageants.

• Public Perception:

  • Criticized for postpartum weight gain; chose to embrace reality.
  • Received notices for kissing scenes, reflecting cultural taboos.

Personal Life

• Marriage and Family:
  • Married into Bollywood royalty; respects the institution of marriage.
  • Motherhood: balances career and family life.

Social Work

• Philanthropy:
  • Works with the United Nations as an International Goodwill Ambassador.
  • Focus on preventing HIV transmission from mother to child.

Future Plans

• Cinematic Comeback:

  • Interested in returning to acting, passionate about cinema.
  • No definite timeline for return; prioritizes family.

• Lifestyle:

  • Enjoys food without dieting; maintains health through active lifestyle.
  • Plans to incorporate consistent exercise into her routine.

Conclusion

• Cultural Influence:
  • Continues to represent traditional and modern Indian cinema.
  • Aims to inspire authenticity and realness in the public eye.