Her looks and talent made her a sure shot winner in the beauty pageants but faring equally well in films was a point to be debated. Would Aishwarya be able to deliver emotions, dialogues and dance with the same élan?

Ash's first film, 'Iruvar' (in Tamil) laid an expensive egg in the south. Ditto for Aur Pyar Ho Gaya and Jeans. But eventually, the girl with a million-dollar face combined with a strong personality and intelligence conquered Bollywood.

The debate concluded and went in Ash's favor. Almost all the happening directors and producers of Bollywood started booking her dates for their projects. The success of Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam and Taal proved that she possessed and could deliver all that it takes to top the charts in Bollywood.

That has given an international edge to Ash's star status, something she enjoyed even with the Miss World title.

All this has done the inevitable to Ash's career graph. She has the major producers and directors chasing her for dates. Leading men in the industry send feelers to producers to cast them opposite her.