JEDDAH: Bollywood icon Aishwarya Rai Bachchan turned heads at the fifth Red Sea International Film Festival, entertaining the audience with candid reflections on her personal and professional journey.

At an In Conversation panel event in Jeddah, she began by reflecting on a time before her cinematic career, when she was crowned Miss World in 1994 — a moment that paved the way for her screen debut in Mani Ratnam’s 1997 Tamil film “Iruvar.”

 “I was encouraged by members of the media to represent India, and for me, the opportunity went far beyond the idea of a traditional beauty contest,” she said.

During her time on the international stage, she realized how little the world understood about her country.

“Standing as the only Indian contestant, I was asked questions about tigers, snake charmers and education systems that felt so archaic. It made me reflect on our global perception,” she said.

That awareness fueled her commitment to the “Beauty with a Purpose” ethos, and she used her platform to drive awareness, charitable efforts and long-term impact.

“I was just so glad that I got the opportunity to use that title as a larger platform to effect contribution and change,” she told the audience.

Her transition into cinema was guided by curiosity and humility. With no formal training, she embraced every role as a chance to learn, notably through her early collaboration with celebrated director Mani Ratnam: “I approached every character as a student of the craft.”

Emphasizing her preference for roles that explored complex female experiences, she added: “Women, by birth, are strong. They are the embodiment of strength, empowerment, beauty and femininity.”

This strength manifested itself in every role women played as daughters, mothers, friends and leaders, she said, and cinema offered the chance to bring those qualities to life on screen.

Rai Bachchan also discussed the power of audiences in shaping her journey and said: “The love and support I’ve received has been deeply personal. It’s given me strength and conviction throughout my career.”

The actress, who wore a striking black Dolce & Gabbana gown with a plunging V-neck, accessorized with an emerald and diamond pendant, also had some advice for younger generations on navigating social media wisely: “Stay real. Let validation come from within, not from screens,” she said.