Born in Mangalore, Karnataka, the supermodel-turnedsuperstar's
career as a model took off when she was studying in the ninth grade in a Mumbai
school. But the 30-year-old former Miss World had the nation talking about her
beauty when she played the role of Aamir Khan's sprightly neighbour in a Pepsi
commercial. In the ad, the sight of a gorgeous girl with blue-green eyes who
uttered that unforgettable catchphrase 'Hi, I'm Sanju' captivated the masses.
By the time many figured out who she was, Ash had gone ahead and conquered the
world (we aren't explaining the pun here!).
Recognition as an actress did not come to her easily. For
quite some time after she had entered the industry, she was viewed with a lot
of skepticism by many who felt that she was a gorgeous model who could not make
it big as a quality actress ever. The assessments of Ash, the person, weren't
often too charitable either. Some called her a Barbie doll, a few others ice
maiden. Such tired expressions were flung with feckless abandon while Ash
persevered to make a mark within the industry.
When that happened, the result was sheer alchemy. The film
that scripted the first real chapter of her silver screen success story was
Sanjay Leela Bhansali's opulent film Hum Dil Chuke Sanam. The movie featured
her in the role of a naive girl from a conservative set up, and what a success
it was! It was the turning point of her career, a film that declared to the
entire world that a new superstar had been born.
Shy but mischievous. Garrulous but innocent. Unveiling her
emotions through furtive eye contact even when she chose to keep her mouth shut
which was rare. The image of Ash that Bhansali sculpted with his cinematic
vision made a vivid statement of her acting potential and impeccable beauty.
With this film, Ash arrived. As they say, she made a mark. The future for her
could only be bigger, better, brighter.
Many years have gone by since that happened. In recent
times, the last few among her cynical critics have been compelled to revise
their opinions about her capability as an actress after she performed most
creditably in Bhansali's latest magnum opus Devdas. As Paro who loves Devdas
but cannot marry him since she is at the mercy of social norms, Ash comes across
as a sensitive performer who can handle the tougher nuances of emoting quite
remarkably: In Rituparno Ghosh's critically acclaimed Bengali film
Chokher Bali,.Ash the actress has taken a great leap forward through her
sensitive portrayal of Binodini, a widow who aspires for individuality in the
feudal Indian set up of the early 20"' century. That her performance has
been noteworthy is a sign of things to come.
The highest paid actress in the country today, Ash's
recognition has spilled beyond the shores of India. Today, her looks come up
for comparison with the biggest charmers from the world of entertainment, and
there have been many occasions in which critics from abroad have been compelled
to acknowledge her superiority as far as ° her ethereal beauty is concerned.
That she has not made her international debut is true, but so is the fact that
she could make a big impact abroad very soon. Considering the rate at which she
is growing, that should be the most obvious repercussion anyway.
Of course, she has had to pay a huge price for being what
she is. Which is, a much-wanted, much-observed public figure. As is the case
with people of her kind; her personal life has come up for public scrutiny
often. Her relationships with men have been written about - with lies and
truths being merged to create reader-friendly stews and brews often - while her
love affair with Ballywood's resident hunk Salman Khan that ended in a tragic
climax has led to countless articles in the media. When did she start seeing
him? What made her think that the relationship
could work despite so many odds? Was Salman cheating on her?
Was she being non-committal as some say she was? Exactly what was the reason
for their break-up? Who was bad, and to whom? What did both of them do to make things
unpleasant? Such questions would have never ever been raised had Ash been one
of us. That is, an unknown and average commoner.
Blame it on her destiny that has guided her into the alley
of fame and public spotlight. The same fate that has won her accolades and
given her cinematic successes has also ensured that her relationship with
Salman continues to consume acres of newsprint: and even after there is nothing
between them any more. And, even after her repeated assertions that their
whirlwind romance is a part of her personal history she would like to forget.
Loved for her performances in films like Taal and HDDCS, Ash
had to face the music when she was selected to be part of the jury at the
Cannes Film Festival in 2003. Her dresses were ridiculed, and most felt that
the festival authorities had made a huge error in judgment by nominating her
for the panel. Sitting with the likes of veteran Steven Soderbergh who has
directed films like Traffic and Erin Brockovirh, Ash would have been hopelessly
out of place.
The reasoning is logical. So is the reality that she is the
most sought after beauty in 13ollywaod. In a philosophical mode, the actress
has said that her favourite line is "life is one big drama, and we,
characters in it..." The popular Shakespearean origin of her thought is
"all the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players."
Did Ash know that when she spoke about the line that guides her way of
thinking? Perhaps yes. May be not. Assuming she did, it only shows that she
retains a certain modesty that is rare. For, she isn't just any other
character, a minor cog in the wheel of the society.
She is a star, for many, the only one shining in the sky.
And all the world's her stage.
