Aishwarya Rai Explains the Lack of Roles With Depth in Her Career

Aishwarya Rai Discusses Lack of Deep Roles in Hindi Cinema
Aishwarya Rai made a glamorous appearance at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, donning an exquisite silver and grey gown for her red carpet debut. Prior to her Cannes appearance, Aishwarya sat down for an interview where she delved into her recent film release, Ponniyin Selvan: II (PS2), as well as the recurring question regarding the depth of roles offered to her in Hindi cinema.
During the interview, Aishwarya was asked why she wasn’t being offered complex and profound roles in Hindi cinema, particularly considering her powerful performance in PS2. In response, Aishwarya acknowledged that it was a question that often lingers in people’s minds. She shared, “Well, that’s a silent question I think everybody normally ends up asking. We are all creative people, and when something turns out so remarkable and resonates so deeply with the creative team and the audience, it evokes such a response. I believe one of the most beautiful and rewarding moments for actors, especially leading ladies, is when questions like these arise…”
Speaking specifically about her experience with PS2, she expressed her admiration for directors like Mani Ratnam, who create such exceptional work. Aishwarya emphasized the pleasure and satisfaction that comes from working on projects like Ponniyin Selvan, saying, “We salute directors like Mani Ratnam who produce such works. It’s a true pleasure for us as artists to collaborate with them and achieve results that make us proud. Ponniyin Selvan has undoubtedly been an immensely gratifying experience for all of us…”
Ponniyin Selvan: II is the second installment of a period drama adapted from Kalki Krishnamurthy’s historical novel. Aishwarya’s portrayal of the character Nandini garnered praise, leaving a profound impact on the audience. Released in theaters in April and produced by Lyca Productions, the film received positive reviews, further highlighting Aishwarya’s talent and versatility in her craft.