Birthday Special: Aishwarya's Most High-Profile Ads

If advertisements were books, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan would rank among bestsellers.

One of the most captivating faces to have descended on celluloid, Ash began her career as a model for fun. But her photogenic allure couldn’t keep her away from the camera for too long.

Already a media darling, the light-eyed stunner went on to nab beauty pageant titles, bag meaty roles in top banners and become a permanent fixture among the Cannes glitterati.

With such charisma to back, there’s little doubt why every brand wants her touch of endorsement.

Today, the woman who’s addressed as ‘most beautiful’ turns 40 and the mirror still believes her to be the fairest one of all. From Pepsi to Prestige, we celebrate Aishwarya’s two-decade plus journey through 10 of her Most High-Profile Endorsements.

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Even when people didn’t know her name, Aishwarya Rai’s face already gained celebrity status with her striking campaign for the cosmetic brand that played a crucial role in her success.

Back when Pepsi was Lehar Pepsi, Ash burned the small screen with her larger-than-life presence and smoldering request to Aamir Khan.

Sashaying and spinning with the printed pallu for the surreal frames of a sari campaign came naturally to this flawless lady.

Ash, later, switched her loyalties from Pepsi to Coke and flirted with both Dhoom 2 and Dhoom 3 stars -- Hrithik Roshan and Aamir Khan over a bottle of thanda.

Aishwarya’s enduring relationship with the cosmetic giant from France has proved rather fruitful and allowed her to enjoy the Cannes privilege to the hilt.

Because she’s worth it, of course!

Before being replaced by Katrina Kaif, Aishwarya Rai lend her brand of sparkle like only she can to the diamond company.

Every Bollywood heroine worth her salt has been associated with Lux soaps sometime or another.

Aishwarya as well.

She even promoted the Golden Lux with hubby Abhishek Bachchan in tow.

Her regal, resplendent appearances were the high points of Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, Devdas, Umrao Jaan and Jodhaa Akbar.

Kalyan Jewellers channels that facet with Ash as their gorgeous representative.

If Shah Rukh Khan cannot stop gushing about Tag Heur and hubby Abhishek is stuck on Omega, Aishwarya loves to flaunt her delicate wrist to showcase a new model of Longines every year.

The Guru beauty even went on to shoot a commercial in Rome, sharing screen space with Hollywood star Kate Winslet and Taiwanese model Chi-ling Lin.

'Jo biwi se kare pyaar, woh Prestige se kaise kare inkaar?’

Ash and Abhishek were probably knee-high when this classic pressure cooker commercial first aired on Doordarshan.

Today, Mr and Mrs Bachchan are more than happy to echo its iconic sentiments and boost the kitchen brand’s sales.