Meteoric.
There are no other words that best describe the starry trajectory of Ms.Aishwarya Rai Bachchan.
From the memorable 'Mother Teresa' speech that clinched her Miss World title in 1994, to an internationally recognized actress in a decade, it has been nothing short of phenomenal. Though it was a give-in that the next level for established Miss worlds would be the greasepaint mecca called Bollywood, our lady had to wait for another three years to break into the Silver Screen with one of the biggest debut acts that others can only dream about.

As the leading lady in Manirathinam's Iruvar in 1997, Aishwarya Rai got the best start of her acting career, paired against two of the finest actors in India, Mohanlal and Prakash Raj.

Bollywood doors were thrown wide open after her first release and she jumped into the first waiting chariot, a dud named Aur Pyar Ho Gaya. It wasnt long before Shankar pitched her in Jeans in 1998, that was the defining movie that brought her critical acclaim and commercial success and shot her into the top league, the creme' de la creme of Bollywood Divas.

And the meteor was just warming up, defining the starry trajectory and settling in for a spectacular ride.
And what a ride it has been.
If it had been Jeans in 1998, it was Sanjay Bhansali's Hum Dil Chuke Sanam which was the blockbuster that brought her her First Filmfare award for Best Actress in 1999.

Taal, Kandukondein Kandukondein and supporting roles in Mohabbattein and Josh came next.

But the icing on the cake was Devdas in 2002. With Shah Rukh Khan and Madhuri Dixit, she wept, wailed, danced, shimmied, sashayed and wept some more and was suddenly the toast of every single media house in the country.

More than King Khan and Mme.Dixit, what also kept her in the cynosure of public attention and curious affection was the now hot-now-cold affair our lady got involved with Mr.Biceps a.k.a The Chiselled Torso, Salman Khan.

It was a double bonanza for everyone.
Publicity begat more publicity and the star shone brighter.

More international exposure came with the release of Bride and Prejudice, Gurindher Chaddha's Bhangra meets British take on the very English novel Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.

The Mistress of Spices came next, and was more of a yawner.
But by now, Aishwarya Rai had become the reigning Diva of the Bollywood Star wagon. Which was pretty much evident for the fact that, she could do with just a 7 minute song and dance hit in Bunty and Bubli - Kajra Re, an appearance that was meant to be the additional 'drawing' factor for the movie.

Umrao Jan and Dhoom 2 came along in 2006.

Any mention about Umraao Jaan brings sweating nightmares of an experience even she would want to forget, even in her bad moments. Umraao Jaan was a period saga which never got anywhere. Period.

But redemption came in the way of Dhoom 2, the sequel to the hugely succesful Dhoom, and the popular title track plus the enigmatic-oh-so-there-but-not-there chemistry between Hrithik made sure the movie stayed in the center of attention.

It was back to mentor Manirathnam's camp in 2007, with Guru. The master made sure he got the best performances from his protagonists. The fact that the leading couple's sizzling chemistry had overflown the celluloid canvas again guaranteed additional draw to the marquee.

The next project under the title Provoked went to Oblivion Island on a one way ticket.
So did the much hyped Last Legion.

Jodha-Akbar seems to be the Valentines' gift for Indians in 2008.

Finally, its back to Shankar, for ROBOT, back to Tamil, and paired opposite the one and only Rajnikanth.
Its been quite a ride.

From being paired opposite Mohanlal's MGR in Iruvar to the love interest of the hi-tech Thalaivar in ROBOT.
And it still sees no slowing.
This meteor called Aishwarya.