Akshaye Khanna had predicted 25 years ago that Aishwarya Rai will go on to become a 'very fine actress': 'She is very beautiful, not just from outside...'

Akshaye Khanna’s early belief in Aishwarya Rai’s talent has truly stood the test of time. Nearly 25 years ago, just before the release of their hit film Taal, Akshaye predicted that Aishwarya would become a remarkable actress — a prediction that proved spot-on as she went on to carve a legendary career in Bollywood.

In an interview with Lehren Retro Akshaye revealed that he believed Aishwarya would become a very talented actress. He mentioned that Taal was their second film together, having previously worked with her in Aa Ab Laut Chale, and praised her beauty.The actor also praised Aishwarya’s inner qualities, highlighting her cheerful and lively nature. He felt that her positive attitude and impressive performance in Taal showed that she was destined to become a very talented actress.This wasn’t the first time Akshaye praised Aishwarya. In 2017, during the promotions of his film Ittefaq, when Karan Johar asked him about the sexiest woman in the industry, Akshaye didn’t hesitate to name Aishwarya. He admitted that every time he meets her, he can’t take his eyes off her, something he found both captivating and a bit embarrassing—unlike others, he isn’t used to being so mesmerized by someone’s presence.After Taal, Aishwarya starred in several iconic films such as Mohabbatein, Devdas, Umrao Jaan, Dhoom 2, Guru, and Jodha Akbar. These movies earned her widespread acclaim from both critics and audiences, cementing her status as one of Bollywood’s leading actresses.