Aishwarya Rai’s English struggles! Untold story of global icon's early days

Today, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is hailed worldwide not just as the most beautiful woman but also for her grace, confidence, and articulate presence. Old interviews of hers continue to go viral, showing her sharp communication skills and effortless poise. Yet, according to adman Prahlad Kakkar, the Aishwarya people see today is very different from the one at the beginning of her journey.

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Pageant Pressure and Lost Crown

Kakkar, who gave Aishwarya one of her earliest breaks in a commercial even before her pageant days, recalled the time she lost the Miss Universe crown to Sushmita Sen. He explained that what worked in Sushmita’s favour was her ease and confidence during the question-answer round. Aishwarya, meanwhile, struggled. Kakkar revealed that she had been wearing heels throughout the contest, though she wasn’t used to them, and ended up stumbling in the final round.

Language: The Real Barrier

But more than heels, it was English that posed the bigger challenge. Kakkar revealed, “In the beginning of her career, she didn’t have the confidence to be able to carry herself in English. If you’re doing in Tulu or Hindi, she was more comfortable.”

He further explained that this often led people to misjudge her: “People thought she was stand-offish but she was not that. She was just a little afraid that people would misconstrue if she didn’t find the right sentence or words to create the right emotional connect. People need to understand that, and that’s why I am so protective about her.”

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Mentor’s Prediction

Despite these struggles, Kakkar always saw immense potential in her. He said with certainty, “She was so good. I told her mother she’s going to be the next Madhubala."