I'd love to romance Aishwarya Rai. But I'm 58 now. So I have to play her father.


- Amitabh Bachchan (actor, producer)

Aishwarya Rai is not just the first, but also the second most beautiful woman in the world.


- Roger Ebert (film critic)

Aishwarya's refusal to kiss me was nothing personal.


- Chandrachur Singh (actor, costar in Josh)

Any
kind of comparisons is unfair because that makes your capabilities that
much smaller when matched to a superstar's. Aishwarya is a fabulous
looker. But I feel bad when I am compared to her.


- Diya Mirza (actress)

I'm
a fan of a few Bollywood films. I have seen Devdas and Lagaan, both
great films. I loved Devdas - the actress was amazing! I cried towards
the end of the film.


- Beyonce Knowles (singer, actress)

Miss
World is supported by Indian advertising. If there is no Miss World
from India for three years, that advertising will stop. Then what
happens when Aishwarya Rai becomes Miss World? People start to believe
that Indian women are the most beautiful in the world. It becomes a
self-fulfilling prophecy, that's what cultural colonisation does.


It works exactly like that. When it was Nicole Kidman or Penelope Cruz,
it was the Western media going into overdrive. Here it was the Indian
media where, because of the support of the advertising, because of
Aishwarya Rai, she became Miss World, she became presented, Bollywood
suddenly became hip. Today if you ask people who is the most beautiful
woman in the world, I bet you Aishwarya Rai will be there. That's how
it works.


- Shekar Kapur (director)

Aamir Khan has great potential, as does Shah Rukh Khan. As for Aishwarya Rai, they worshipped her in Cannes.




- Ismail Merchant on bridging the gap between Bollywood and the world (filmmaker)

I
couldn’t have imagined anyone making a more convincing Mahalaxmi. It’s
one of the most interesting women characters one has seen in recent
times.


- Raj Kumar Santoshi (director)

It
was a wonderful experience working with her. She complimented me on my
work and said I was doing very well. The advertisement has quite a
filmi story - I play a coolie and my ladylove is Deepti Daryani who is
a sweeper at the railway station. I desperately want to win her respect
and manage to do it after seeing Ash on the platform TV. She talks
about prizes that Coke is offering. I then go on to dream that I've won
a trip to Hollywood with Aishwarya. I eventually gain respect and my
pictures are splashed all over the papers. It was great working with
Ash.


- Rajpal Yadav on making a Coke ad with Aishwarya (actor)

Most
of Ash is lost in her beautiful face. So directors keep focussing on
that and her acting skills aren't put to use. She is a director's
actress. I believe I have brought out the best in Ash. She is a
wonderful friend, and we get along like a house on fire. We can chat
for hours, or not say a word, and be comfortable.


- Sanjay Leela Bhansali (director, friend)

She's stunningly beautiful.


- Linda Evangelista (supermodel)

I am proud of Aishwarya. She has given every Indian a reason to be
proud. I don't understand the concept of comparing myself with others.
I have never compared myself with Ash or anybody. For me, everything
that life offers is a gift, be it a flop or a failure.


- Sushmita Sen (actress)

Sushmita
might slip into all different kinds of roles which is what might keep
her going, whereas Aishwarya is the big screen girl, the big heroine,
and she might not want to dabble in other avenues and probably settle
down to doing something else. Also I feel Aishwarya might be a
Hollywood favourite, eventually.


- Karan Johar on who he thinks will last out as an actress (director)

I look up to Aishwarya Rai. She is the complete public woman, a perfect role model! She has such a matchless face.


- Gul Panag (actress, Femina Miss India-Universe 1999)

If
Ash was not acting in it, a lot of people would not watch it. A lot of
credit goes to Ash because she makes up the commercial bit of the film
and you can't take that away from her. A whole lot of people will go
watch the film because of her.


- Reema Sen on the casting of Aishwarya for Chokher Bali (actress)

She's
superb, I really like her. She is very helpful to newcomers, and she
knows exactly what she is doing, a thorough professional.


- Peeya on working with Aishwarya in Bride and Prejudice (actress, model, VJ)

Let
me clarify. I did not 'save' Aishwarya Rai's life. That sounds very
dramatic. I just happened to be there when she was in a distressed
situation. So I did the most logical thing: I drove her to a hospital.
That is it. I would do the same for anyone.


- Akshay Kumar (actor)

Aishwarya Rai was very sweet about the Vaada Raha song. She told me she couldn't stop humming it.


- Ram Sampat (musical director of Khakee)

Aishwarya
Rai is very particular about her clothes. She insists on a lot of
trials and fittings, which is good. It helps the designer get as close
to perfection as possible. She likes simple clothes on screen. But when
required, she can go over-the-top. She loves bright colors, though she
can carry off any shade. She's particular about matching shoes and bags
to go with her clothes. Personally, she's a white T-shirt and blue
jeans kinda girl.


- Vikram Phadnis (fashion designer)

I
don't consider her competition because she is a dear friend of mine. I
think there's enough room for everybody in the film industry. She has
already been crowned Miss World and I think she has done her country
proud.


- Rani Mukherjee (actress)

In terms of fashion satiation, I would say I love working with Sri Devi, Shilpa Shetty and Aishwarya Rai.


- Neeta Lulla (fashion designer)

Honestly when you think of beauty, you think of Aishwarya Rai.


- John Abraham (actor)

The
critics had ripped Aishwarya Rai apart in "Aur Pyar Ho Gaya" as well
but today they have different things to say about her performance.


- Celina Jaitley (actress)

You
can't hold someone by the collar and ask them why he/she has written a
gossip piece. But I don't have the time to solve petty issues. As I see
it, if tomorrow I meet Ash, both of us will hug each other.


- Rani Mukherjee (actress, on her reported cooling off with Aishwarya Rai)

Besides,
to be successful, one needs to be content in life. Today, if I want to
be Aishwarya Rai, I cannot be her. The same stands true for Aishwarya
[to be Bipasha].


- Bipasha Basu (actress)

It's
been a beautiful experience. There was an unfortunate accident during
"Khakee". Too much has been said and written about what I did to help
her and Tusshar Kapoor after the mishap. So I don't want to talk about
it, except to say that I did only what was right. As for her role and
performance, mark my words, she's all set to give the audience a jolt.


- Akshay Kumar (actor, on working with Aishwarya in "Khakee")

Of course, the first day I did a scene with Bachchan, Aishwarya and Akshay Kumar, it was like "Oh my God, this is the moment."


- Tusshar Kapoor (actor, on working with Aishwarya in "Khakee")

"I
don’t know Kareena Kapoor so I won’t comment on her. But Aishwarya is
my friend. She’s a very cool girl. And I’ll never compete with her. In
fact, I can never compete with her. She’s gorgeous, she dances like a
dream. And what’s more, she’s a very cultured person. I will always
wish her well. I hope and pray her Bride And Prejudice does well
because a film like that will take crossover cinema to another level.
It’s important for our cinema that it does well.


For me, there’s no personal competition with any of them. I’m happy
doing one film at a time; I can’t handle three films together anyway.
And there are so many film-makers, there’s work for everyone. There’s
work for Kareena, for Aishwarya, for Rani Mukerji, for Tabu and me."


- Preity Zinta (actress, on whether she believes she’s marched ahead of her rivals)

"Yeah,
I will work with a director who will cast Aishwarya and me. I am nobody
to cross anybody's name out of my professional life. I always work with
heroines chosen by the director."


- Shahrukh Khan (actor, on working with Aishwarya after their reported fallout)

Of
course she has a beautiful face but she's even more beautiful inside,
in her soul. I also admire the dignity and strength with which she
lives her life.


- Vivek Oberoi on what he admires about Aishwarya (actor)

I find her natural, unaffected and down to earth. Among the models I
admire, she is the best. There is that extra something about her which
is very appealing. The media has been consistently calling her
'plastic' and unexpressive. But I don't agree. She isn't at all
plastic. On the contrary, I find her very expressive.


- Rekha (actress)

The
growth of Aishwarya as an actress is there for all to see. One need not
say much about how hardworking and determined she is. Working with her
for Hamara Dil Aapke Paas Hai has proved to be an unforgettable
experience. On one side, we had Anil Kapoor, who is famous for his hard
work, and I must say Aishwarya matched him at every step. After Hamara
Dil Aapke Paas Hai, she definitely will gain maturity as an actress.


- Satish Kaushik (director)

Aishwarya
is a director's actress all the way. During Aur Pyar Ho Gaya, she was
so open to all inputs we gave her and she works diligently. I must add
that she has this tremendous sense of dancing that no other
contemporary has. She deserves all the kudos for being where she is
today.


- Rahul Rawail (director)

We belong to the same tiny community. I really admire Ash. She's made it so big. Whenever we meet, it's a laugh riot.


- Shilpa Shetty (actress)

Aishwarya
was always my senior. I have great respect for her, I admire her. I
remember when I bagged that Pepsi contract, I was very excited that I
would be doing a commercial with her. She was the top model, besides
the other added incentive was meeting Aamir Khan who is the top actor.
Despite all the comparisons, I must say whether it Ash or Sush, they
have paved the way by giving models respectability as actresses.


- Mahima Chaudary (actress)

I
must admit I had reservations when we started working for Hum Panchhi
Ek Dal Ke, as the movie involved a lot of interactions with children.
However, Aishwarya has put all my doubts to rest. She is a natural with
children. Between Sunil, Ash and the rest of the crew, working was
suddenly a lot of fun.


- K Shashilal Nair (director)

Also Aishwarya Rai, who I feel, is a complete actress, just like old-time actresses.


- Bipasha Basu (actress)

I'm
proud of her. I'm proud to be associated with her. My name linked with
hers? It's a privilege. What more can any man ask for?


- Salman Khan (actor)

Technique-wise, no one can touch her, but she needs to have more fun, put in a little more soul.


- Farah Khan (chreographer)

Hum
Dil De Chuke Sanam and Taal made Aishwarya a nation-wide craze. Most of
the time even Sush, Ash and I talk shop. It would be nice to get
together socially.


- Namrata Shirodkar (actress, ex-Miss India)

She
wants the best and if the best is in short supply, she is willing to
wait. And with this attitude like that, she has to go places.


- Anil Kapoor (actor)

What
can I say, we have worked together earlier as models. It's strange but
I'm facing her everyday on the sets and then one fine day, I'm watching
her in Devdas. And I was blown, slapped in the face. Devdas speaks
volumes of her as an actress. I can imagine how amazed a common man
must be when he watches Ash in Devdas. Of course, the credit goes to
her director and everyone else as well, but definitely to her, as I've
never experienced being awestruck by someone's performance so much. And
she's a thorough professional who knows what she's doing. I've had a
blast shooting with her.


- Arjun Rampal (actor)

Aishwarya
Rai is the defination of 'perfect'! They (her daughter) would rather
watch Aishwarya Rai, Aamir Khan and Saif Ali Khan than anyone else!


- Sharmila Tagore (actress)

When I see Ash in the songs of Taal, I feel it's just not fair for
someone to look so gorgeous on screen. Initially, I didn't think Ash
and me would get along. However, after our World Tour together, my
opinion of her changed. We got along very well. She used to dance so
well, that I would tease her by saying, "I want to break your legs!"


- Preity Zinta (actress)

While working in Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, we got along very well, and now too we're having a good time working together.


- Ajay Devgan (actor)

Everyone knows Aishwarya’s beautiful. But Bhansali captured her beauty with a rare intensity.


- Ram Gopal Verma (director)

Yeah,
we got along very well. We've worked together ever since our modelling
days, and now it's funny that we're in films together. Whenever we meet
each other on the sets, we both crack up and can't stop laughing. It's
so weird, we were once upon a time models, and now we're actors.


- Arjun Rampal (actor)

I
think with her abundant talent and looks, Aishwarya deserves all the
accolades that comes her way. Right from the beginning of her career
Aishwarya came across to me as a dedicated actor and a very
hard-working person, totally devoted to her work. I always found her
warm-hearted and caring towards her costars and other colleagues.


So far we have worked together in Josh, Mohabbatein and Devdas. In all
these movies, the characters we portrayed were very different from each
other. In Josh, we were twins and in the other two she played my
sweetheart. I don't know her closely because we have worked in only
three movies together. But I know for sure that she is a very talented
person with the ability to bring her characters to life. She is always
joyful and full of enthusiasm on the sets. Working with her recently
for Devdas was an enjoyable experience. Not just me, but the entire
cast and crew would love to work with her again. With her talents I
wish her all the very best in life and hope she keeps getting better
professionally. May she also get bigger and better roles and progress
on all fronts.


- Shahrukh Khan (actor)

I think we have plenty of beautiful heroines. But I like Aishwarya, Marilyn Monroe and Tabu, for her expressions.


- Sonu Nigam (singer, actor)

Aishwarya is like petite angel who needs your protection. She is not obviously erotic.


- Mahesh Bhatt (producer)

How
can comparisons be made between Aishwarya Rai and me considering she
made her debut five years ago while I started just last year! Doesn't
that make her my senior?


- Kareena Kapoor (actress)

Right
now Aishwarya is on top. She has an amazing screen presence and looks
great in Indian and western outfits. She knows her work well and
doesn't go overboard.


- Sharad Kapoor (actor)

I
love Aishwarya in Rajiv Menon's Kandukondain Kandukondain. In a couple
of her earlier films, I'd felt that she was an ice maiden. Incidently,
I think it's commendable that both Aishwarya and Karisma are performers
and at the same time they're superstars. They can actually command a
crore of rupees as their remuneration and get it.


- Kalpana Lajmi (director)