"Only Aishwarya Rai could have played it."
Aishwarya Rai, also known by her married name, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, is an immensely loved actress of Indian cinema.
After winning the Miss World title in 1994, Aishwarya decided to pursue a career in films.
She began her journey in filmdom in the 1990s, and since then, she has amazed fans with her mesmeric performances.
Aishwarya has worked with many of the top actors and filmmakers of her time, cementing her position as one of the industry’s leading ladies.
Although she has dabbled in world cinema with Bride & Prejudice (2004) and The Mistress of Spices (2005), for this list, we are keeping to her Indian roots in Bollywood.
So, join us as we showcase eight best films of Aishwarya Rai Bachchan.
Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999)
Director: Sanjay Leela Bhansali
Stars: Salman Khan, Ajay Devgn, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan
Before she starred in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s magnum opus, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan had had little success in Bollywood.
However, in this epic romance, she proves that she is an actress par excellence.
In Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, Aishwarya portrays Nandini Darbar, who falls in love with Sameer ‘Sam’ Rossellini (Salman Khan).
Sameer and Nandini are shattered when they are prevented from being together.
This heartbreak is unforgettably encapsulated by KK’s haunting number, ‘Tadap Tadap Ke‘.
Nandini later marries Vanraj (Ajay Devgn), but feels no love towards him.
After Vanraj discovers the reason for Nandini’s despair, they both travel to Italy to reunite Nandini with Sameer.
Adorned with sublime performances and gorgeous music, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam is a highlight in Aishwarya’s career.
For her act as Nandini, she won the Filmfare Award for ‘Best Actress’ in 2000.
Taal (1999)
Director: Subhash Ghai
Stars: Anil Kapoor, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Akshaye Khanna
Aishwarya joins forces with ace director Subhash Ghai for this historic musical drama.
She plays Mansi Shankar Manhuja, a talented folk singer and dancer.
Mansi falls in love with Manav Kumar Mehta (Akshaye Khanna).
An act of humiliation leads to Mansi ending their relationship, resolving to live her life on her own terms.
Finding an anchor in Vikrant Kapoor (Anil Kapoor), Mansi must decide where her heart lies.
Will she choose Vikrant or Manav?
Taal shows Aishwarya’s versatility, as she takes on a dancing character for the first time.
Reviewing the film, Roger Ebert writes: “There is an innocence in this pure entertainment that Hollywood has somehow lost.”
Mohabbatein (2000)
Director: Aditya Chopra
Stars: Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan
Aditya Chopra’s Mohabbatein is about Narayan Shankar, a principal who runs a school in which romance is strictly banned.
When the music teacher and former student, Raj Aryan Malhotra (Shah Rukh Khan), arrives, he challenges this rule.
As the film progresses, we learn that Raj used to love Narayan’s deceased daughter, Megha Shankar (Aishwarya Rai Bachchan).
This paves the path for a drama rich with complexity and depth.
Despite her limited screen time, Aishwarya leaves an indelible mark on the film, transforming Mohabbatein into a loved classic.
In a review of the film, a writer comments: “The actor touches the screen with her unique performance.”
Aishwarya aptly demonstrates that she does not need a leading role to make a lasting impact.
That is the skill of a true artist.
Khakee (2004)
Director: Rajkumar Santoshi
Stars: Amitabh Bachchan, Akshay Kumar, Ajay Devgn, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Tusshar Kapoor
In this multi-star cast, Aishwarya stands out like a pure moon as Mahalakshmi.
She is a mysterious woman who joins a police team, who are escorting a suspected terrorist, Iqbal Ansari (Atul Kulkarni), from Mumbai.
Mahalakshmi gradually earns the trust of the officers. However, a dark truth is simmering beneath her vulnerability.
It transpires that Mahalakshmi is actually aligned with the terrorist group.
Unlike the police who attempt to balance duty and morality, Mahalakshmi uses trust and sympathy as weapons.
This was one of the first times the audience saw Aishwarya in an antagonistic role.
She nails every scene she is in.
For that, Khakee is undeniably one of her finest films.
Dhoom 2 (2006)
Director: Sanjay Gadhvi
Stars: Hrithik Roshan, Abhishek Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Uday Chopra, Bipasha Basu
Dhoom 2 presents Aishwarya Rai Bachchan as we’ve never seen here before.
She becomes Sunheri Kaur in the film, and is paired opposite Hrithik Roshan (Aryan ‘Mr A’ Singhania).
Like Aryan, Sunheri is a thief in Dhoom 2. While carrying out breathtaking heists, the antagonist duo fall in love.
But with the police on their case, will they be able to carve the relationship they desire?
As Sunheri, Aishwarya is bold, brash, and sexy. She expands her horizons in this action flick, which is universally loved.
Although the credit of Dhoom 2 is often given to Hrithik, the film definitely would not be the same without Aishwarya.
In 2013, a third instalment of the series, Dhoom 3, was released.
Guru (2007)
Director: Mani Ratnam
Stars: Abhishek Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Mithun Chakraborty, R Madhavan, Vidya Balan
In Mani Ratnam’s modern classic, Aishwarya stars as Sujata ‘Suju’ Desai, a character inspired by Kokilaben Ambani.
Sujata is married to Gurukant ‘Guru’ Desai (Abhishek Bachchan), an ambitious businessman.
Sujata is a caring wife, supporting her husband’s dreams even though his methods of achieving them are corrupt.
She remains loyal to him, even after discovering that Guru married her for financial gain.
Aishwarya and Abhishek strike a wonderful chemistry. Fans were delighted when they married in real life shortly after the film’s release.
In Guru, it could be argued that Aishwarya’s role is not as meaty as some of her previous characters.
But the reason it is on this list is because it shows that even while underplaying a part, Aishwarya can mould her characters into iconic figures.
Jodhaa Akbar (2008)
Director: Ashutosh Gowariker
Stars: Hrithik Roshan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan steps into period cinema in Ashutosh Gowariker’s Jodhaa Akbar.
The actress inhabits the world of Rajkumari Jodhaa Bai, a Rajput princess.
Jodhaa is devastated when she is forced to marry the Mughal Emperor Akbar (Hrithik Roshan), as a means of alliance.
However, soon, Jodhaa and Akbar develop a bond of genuine, deep love.
Building up on their chemistry from Dhoom 2, Hrithik and Aishwarya glisten onscreen and have fans cheering for them all the way.
AR Rahman’s genius score, including the evergreen ‘Jashn-e-Bahara’ and ‘Inn Lamhon Ke Daaman Mein‘ signify the magic of this cinematic pairing.
As Jodhaa, Aishwarya proves her mettle in emotion, romance, and swordfighting!
This is a film without which any list of Aishwarya’s great movies is incomplete.
Ae Dil Hai Mushkil (2016)
Director: Karan Johar
Stars: Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Ranbir Kapoor, Anushka Sharma
Karan Johar’s ode to unrequited love, Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, features Aishwarya as Saba Tahir Khan.
Saba is a divorcee who falls in love with Ayan Sanger (Ranbir Kapoor).
Admittedly, Aishwarya has a smaller role in the film, appearing onscreen for approximately an hour.
However, she packs a punch in Saba’s role, infusing the character with heartbreaking emotion.
Her expressions become a canvas of pain and tolerance.
Karan had unsuccessfully tried to cast Aishwarya in his previous films, including Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998) and Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna (2006).
Detailing the importance of Aishwarya’s inclusion in Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, Karan says:
“I would like to say that the most indispensable casting was Aishwarya Rai Bachchan’s.
“If she hadn’t agreed, I wouldn’t have been able to make the film.”
“The role of Saba was such that only Aishwarya Rai could have played it.
“When you watch the film, I’m not just saying this, you’ll see that you wouldn’t be able to imagine anyone else in that role either.”
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is often touted as the most beautiful woman in the world.
While her beauty is there for all to see, she is so much more than just her looks.
All these films prove her acting range and her dynamic talent.
While some roles may be smaller than others, Aishwarya’s ability to dazzle on celluloid is consistent.
So, grab some snacks and embrace the iconic actress, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan.
