Aishwarya Rai Bachchan turns 39, honoured with French civilian award

The actress, often called the world’s most beautiful woman celebrated her birthday with her husband actor Abhishek Bachchan and daughter Aaradhya who will turn one later this month.

Fans sent their well wishes to the actress and her family via social media. “Thank you all for such wonderful messages wishing Aishwarya. I will try my best to read all of them to her. She sends her love and says thanks,” said Abhishek Bachchan on Twitter on behalf of Aishwarya.

Father-in-law Amitabh Bachchan also thanked fans on Twitter saying: “To those that wish Aishwarya for her birthday ... many grateful thanks ... love and more,” he wrote.

The actress was crowned Miss World in 1994 and made her acting debut in the late 1990s – first in Tamil cinema and then into Bollywood. She has won Filmfare Best Actress award for two Hindi films – Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam and Devdas.

She married fellow actor Abhishek Bachchan in 2007 and the couple had their first child in November last year. Aishwarya, who took a break from films more than a year ago is now back doing endorsements, special projects and social work.

Aishwarya went on to become India’s most recognised faces abroad by acting in several Hollywood projects such as The Pink Panther 2 as well by attending around ten Cannes Film festival in France.

Her long association with Cannes as a guest and as a jury member won her the 'Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters' (Chevalier dans l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres) -- the second highest civilian French honour by Francois Richier, Ambassador of France to India.

The actress who received the award thanked the French government saying it is “truly overwhelming." 

Aishwarya was last seen opposite Hrithik Roshan in critically-acclaimed film Guzaarish.

The actress who said she is open to doing films again is working towards raising awareness to prevent HIV among children. The actress rang in her 39th birthday in private with family members.