Aishwarya Rai Bachchan at 53: beauty, stardom and a heart of gold

By Manya Bhasin

Some stars shine on screen, while a few turn their very presence into cinematic history. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan belongs to the latter league. From winning the Miss World crown in 1994 to captivating audiences with memorable performances, the Bollywood icon has built a legacy that goes far beyond beauty, glamour and red-carpet appearances.

Born on November 1, 1973, in Mangalore, Karnataka, Aishwarya initially considered pursuing a career in medicine before her journey took an unexpected turn towards modelling and the world of cinema. Her striking screen presence and growing popularity soon opened doors to the entertainment industry. However, winning the Miss World title in 1994 transformed her into an international sensation and set the stage for a remarkable career.

She made her acting debut with Mani Ratnam’s Tamil film Iruvar in 1997 before making her Hindi film debut with Aur Pyaar Ho Gaya the same year. Her breakthrough came with Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999), in which her portrayal of Nandini won hearts and earned her the Filmfare Award for Best Actress.

She further cemented her position in Indian cinema with films such as Devdas, Mohabbatein, Dhoom 2, Guru and Jodhaa Akbar. Her portrayal of Paro in Devdas remains one of the defining performances of her career. The film, which was presented at the Cannes Film Festival in 2002, also brought international attention to Indian cinema.

Beyond Bollywood, Aishwarya made her mark on the global stage. In 2003, she became the first Indian actress to serve on the Cannes Film Festival jury. Her international projects, fashion appearances and association with global brands further strengthened her position as a cultural icon and one of India’s most recognisable faces worldwide.

Off screen, her marriage to actor Abhishek Bachchan in 2007 and the birth of their daughter, Aaradhya, in 2011 marked significant milestones in her personal life. After taking a break from films, she returned to the big screen with renewed enthusiasm and delivered a memorable performance in Mani Ratnam’s historical epic Ponniyin Selvan, which was released in two parts.
A heart committed to humanitarian causes

Beyond her achievements in cinema, Aishwarya has also used her popularity to draw attention to humanitarian causes, particularly those concerning women, children and vulnerable communities.

One of her significant humanitarian associations began in 2012, when she was appointed International Goodwill Ambassador for UNAIDS. Through this association, she advocated efforts to prevent new HIV infections among children, improve access to treatment and support mothers living with HIV. Her role brought greater visibility to the importance of ensuring that every child has the opportunity to be born free from HIV.

Her commitment to children’s health also extends to her association with Smile Train, an international non-profit organisation that provides free cleft lip and cleft palate surgeries to children in need. Appointed its first Goodwill Ambassador in 2009, she helped bring greater awareness to the challenges faced by children born with these conditions and the importance of making corrective surgery accessible.
Her humanitarian initiatives reflect an interest in issues that often receive less attention than the glamour surrounding the film industry. Through her public profile and associations with charitable organisations, she has contributed to conversations around healthcare, child welfare and social responsibility.

In a career often celebrated for iconic film roles, international appearances and unforgettable red-carpet moments, these initiatives reveal another dimension of the actress’s public life.
As Aishwarya Rai Bachchan turns 53 on November 1, 2026, her journey stands as a story of beauty, ambition, resilience and global recognition. From the Miss World crown to the world of cinema and international humanitarian advocacy, she has carved a place for herself that extends well beyond the silver screen. Her legacy is not just about the films she has made or the milestones she has achieved, but also about using her influence to bring important social causes into the spotlight.

(The writer is an intern with The North News.)