Aishwarya Rai Bachchan turns 53; she turned down four films before winning Miss World

Bollywood actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan turned 53 today. On the strength of her looks, her acting and her international recognition, she has carved out a distinct place in the film industry. By winning the Miss World title in 1994, she raised India's name across the world.

Few people know that Aishwarya had begun receiving film offers even before she became Miss World. She turned down four films at the time, among them Aamir Khan's Raja Hindustani. She took the decision because she put her studies and her career first.

Her entry into films came after the Miss World win, but her association with showbiz had begun earlier. In 1991, she took part in the Ford Supermodel Contest. She then became well known through advertisements for several big brands and through fashion magazines.

In a 2012 interview, Aishwarya said she had received offers for at least four films before entering Miss India and Miss World. She had then put her studies and the Miss India contest ahead of acting.

In an interview she had also said that had she not taken part in Miss India, Raja Hindustani with Aamir Khan would have been her first film. But she did not take up the opportunity. Karisma Kapoor appeared in the film, which was released in 1996 and was a box-office super-hit. Aishwarya did not want to enter films leaving her studies unfinished. She felt that young people should not, seeing her, decide to quit studies and come into the world of glamour. That is why she first gave importance to completing her education.

In January 1994, Aishwarya took part in the Miss India contest. Sushmita Sen won it and Aishwarya was the runner-up. In November 1994 she then represented India at the Miss World competition at Sun City in South Africa, in which contestants from 86 countries took part.

Aishwarya gave an outstanding answer to the question asked in the final round. According to her, Miss World should have compassion, sensitivity towards the needy, and a outlook that sees a person beyond caste, religion, colour or social status. The answer won over the judges, and she took the 1994 Miss World title. She became the second Indian woman to win the title, after Reita Faria.

Aishwarya did not come into Bollywood immediately after becoming Miss World. In 1997 she made her acting debut with Mani Ratnam's Tamil film Iruvar. In the same year her first Hindi film, Aur Pyaar Ho Gaya, was released, in which she appeared opposite Bobby Deol.

The 1998 Tamil film Jeans earned her good recognition in the southern film industry as well. She then appeared in Aa Ab Laut Chalen with Akshaye Khanna. But Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, released in 1999, gave her career a major turning point. In the same year she also won over audiences with Subhash Ghai's Taal. She received the Filmfare Best Actress award for Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam.

In 2000, Aishwarya appeared in films such as Mohabbatein, Josh and Hamara Dil Aapke Paas Hai. She later left her mark as an actor in films such as Devdas, Dhoom 2, Jodhaa Akbar and Guru.

She did not remain confined to Bollywood. Through English-language films such as Bride and Prejudice, The Mistress of Spices, Provoked, The Last Legion and The Pink Panther 2, she reached international audiences. She was also offered Troy, Rush Hour and some films of Will Smith, but could not accept them because of a busy schedule.

Once much talked about from the Cannes Film Festival to Hollywood, Aishwarya is now seen relatively less in films. Even so, her popularity and international recognition remain. Her journey of the Miss World crown, Bollywood success and worldwide fame has been an inspiration for many.