Romancing real-time beaus
Adding to these women’s charm and mystery have been their real-life beaus. And while Kareena and Ash both have had their best share when it comes to the same, the former has not been able to translate the chemistry onscreen. And before you get defensive about Jab We Met, the fact is that the couple broke up much before the film was shot even half-way. And as far as their first film is concerned, Fidaa went unnoticed at the box-office. History has repeated itself with Tashan, the super-hyped Yash Raj flick that saw Bebo and Saif getting hooked up on the sets. Meanwhile, Aishwarya created history with Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, a love triangle with then boyfriend Sallu. Another testimony to the phenomenon is the super success of Guru. Though it wasn’t the first time that Ash got together with Abhishek, it was their first film after rumours about the couple’s relationship surfaced in the media.

Beyond Bollywood
Bollywood may be the world’s second biggest film industry, but the best of Indian actors have reinstated their salability by exploring farther shores. Be it Kollywood that boasts of a literary touch or Hollywood that often introduces Indian actors through a mystic window, chartering into foreign territories does lend them that extra edge. And clearly, Aishwarya outwits Kareena on this front. Though Ms Kapoor has unconventional films like Dev and Chameli to her credit, exploring completely different avenues has definitely not been her forte. In what can be called a stark contrast, Aishwarya debuted with a Telegu flick Iruvar. Few years down the line, Kandukondain Kandukondain and Chokher Bali got added to her portfolio. And after scoring a hatrick in Hollywood with Bride and Prejudice, The Mistress of Spices and The Last Legion, Pink Panther is her latest project.

Heating up the global scene
Indian women are considered extremely beautiful and appealing on the global scene. And this factor should definitely help our Bollywood’s leading ladies to gain some international recognition for themselves as well as India and its films. But surprisingly, our very bold Bebo who’s a favourite with the NRI audience thanks to her KJo flicks doesn’t yet have a space dedicated to her at the very coveted Madame Tussauds. Surpassing her effortlessly is Ms Rai who has not one but two wax statues – one at the Madame Tussuads Museum in London and the other at Times Square in New York. Jury membership at Cannes and playing international ambassador to brands like Longines and L’Oreal is now a way of life for Ms Rai who did not even has the backing of a filmy khandaan when she started out more than a decade back.