Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is a 'Model Citizen' January 30 2009 21:45 PST She's one of the biggest actresses in the country and is often referred to as 'the most beautiful woman in the world,' so it's pretty easy to forget that Aishwarya came from humble beginnings before her meteoric rise to the top. The gorgeous gal was born in Mangalore before her family moved to Mumbai. And she's not just a pretty face, Aishwarya was actually a pretty good student and she had planned on a career as an architect! Thank goodness things didn't turn out as she planned! While in college, the Southern beauty began modeling on the side. In 1994 she was runner-up at the Miss India pageant, to Sushmita Sen and went on to win the Miss World title that made her famous in the same year. Here's a little known fact. She also won the 'Miss Photogenic' title at the pageant – and we can see why! Aishwarya went on to London where she upheld her title for a year and became a professional model before becoming the actress that we all know today. Aishwarya made her film debut in a Tamil movie 'Iruvar' in 1997 and then her Bollywood debut in 'Aur Pyaar Ho Gaya' in the same year opposite Bobby Deol. Aishwarya has certainly come a long way from those days, with films like, 'Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam,' 'Devdaas,' and 'Dhoom 2.' Not to mention her high profile relationships with Salman Khan and Vivek Oberoi, finally leading to her marriage to Abhishek Bachchan. Throughout the years she has modeled for a number of high profile campaigns such as, Swiss luxury watch brand Longiness, Nakshatra diamonds, and probably most notably international cosmetics brand L'Oreal! With L'Oreal, Aishwarya's ads appear alongside Hollywood stars such as, Eva Longoria, Eva Medes, and Heather Locklear. No matter what your opinion may be, there's no denying Aishwarya has achieved a highly successful career since her modeling days, and it's still continuing

Bollywood star Kareena Kapoor is about to add another notch to her belt this February as she'll be presented an award by the one and only Erin Brockovich (no not Julia Roberts who played her in the film, 'Erin Brockovich' but the real person!). As odd as it may sound Kareena Kapoor will be presented with an award for her contribution to art and cinema. Now why they're going to have world renowned environmental activist Erin Brockovich do the honors is beyond us! Exciting as it may be, seems a little out of place doesn't it? Erin Brockovich is reportedly rushing to Mumbai to present Kareena the award on time. Wow, who knew Erin even knew about Bollywood? But then again, the whole world is going Desi! Kareena Kapoor must be flying high after this news. Plus she's busy filming for her dream role in '3 Idiots' opposite Amir Khan. So maybe it's time for Kareena Kapoor to get noticed for her film roles, acting skills and awards rather than her love life with beau Saif Ali Khan! It seems like that's all anyone could talk about last year, but this year is a different story. It's been rumored that Kareena Kapoor is trying to keep her private life out of the media as she saw how much it hurt her career in 2008. Hmm... sounds like a smart choice to us! So what do you think about Kareena Kapoor receiving an award for her contribution to art and cinema? And what are your thoughts on Erin Brockovich presenting Kareena the award? Drop us a comment with your feelings on the matter!

Ek Vivah Aisa Bhi Director: Kaushik Ghatak Cast: Sonu Sood, Isha Koppikar Tough to believe that the film is Tapasya (Starring Rakhee and Parikshit Sahani) remade for today's audience and is also about a young woman who chooses to stay chaste and unmarried until her siblings are grown up and 'settled' although she has an ardent lover. Even more laughable to see the loverboy asking for her permission to 'continue to long for her'. But that alas is the story. Here, both are musicians, falling in love when they enter a music contest (filmed to look like talent contest shown in Milan and Bawarchi rather than Indian Idol or Sa Re Ga Ma Pa), and over what feels like a hundred years the two continue to sacrifice and look longingly at each other while their siblings and friends grow up, get married, and have babies. Miraculously, the two never grow older, and sport not a single wrinkle. But we give them credit: Sonu Sood tries to cover up his lame part by pretending he's Amitabh Bachchan (note his hair, the way he stands, walks, even talks to the mirror!), and Isha Koppikar makes us forget her painfully long chaste role by wearing interesting clothes. Thank goodness, the friends though interesting characters, are unexplored or the movie would've been longer! Ravindra Jain's ghastly repetitive songs with forgettable lyrics numb your senses. Eesha's siblings are as annoying as children can get in a movie: the brother breaks windows, the sister is teary and clingy. Suddenly you find respect for TV soaps. They offer drivel like this over 52 weeks, not three hours

Sonali

Sonali Bendre started out as a model before being selected for the "Star Dust Talent Search". Her first role was in Aag (1994) opposite Govinda. Though she initially struggled to be a successful actress, she has eventually given critical acclaim for her performances in films like Sarfarosh (1999), Zakhm, Duplicate, Hum Saath Saath Hai (1999), Tera Mera Saath Rahey and Anaahat (2003) among many others.
She has starred with many of the leading actors of Bollywood including Amitabh Bachchan, Shahrukh Khan, Aamir Khan and Salman Khan. In 1995 she won the Filmfare Lux New Face Award. In 2001 she also won the Star Screen Award Best Supporting Actress for her performance in Hamara Dil Aapke Paas Hai where she co-starred with Anil Kapoor and Aishwarya Rai. She was the only cast member who won the award. She was also appreciated for her comic performances in films like Love Ke Liye Kuchh Bhi Karega
Next to her well-received performances, she was also recognized as a graceful dancer through films like Bombay, Lajja and Major Saab to name a few.
On November 16, 2001 she married film producer Goldie Behl. She has acted in a few Marathi, Telugu and Kannada movies and has been successful. She also hosted the 50th Filmfare Awards alongside Saif Ali Khan and Farida Jalal on February 26, 2005.
On August 11, 2005 she gave birth to a son, Ranvir, in Beach Candy Hospital.a