Sona Mohapatra Recalls Aishwarya Rai Being ‘Smart’, Says She ‘Toned It Down’ After Miss World
Singer Sona Mohapatra recently shared her thoughts on the changes she observed in actor Aishwarya Rai before and after she won the Miss World title in 1994. Speaking with Love Lingo on their YouTube channel, Sona discussed her own approach to independence, the challenges she faces as a woman in the music industry, and her encounter with Aishwarya during their early years.
Sona, known for her candid views and work ethic, opened up about the reality of being a woman in India’s entertainment industry. She remarked that success often requires one to be “a little helpless,” explaining that the industry’s eco-system rewards those who fit into certain roles, particularly women. She said, “Helplessness in general is gender-free,” and shared how she constantly works “18 hours a day” to stay independent and avoid being “under anybody’s thumb.”
In the interview, Sona also discussed her early experiences with Aishwarya Rai, recalling their first encounter during her National Institute of Design (NID) entrance exams in Mumbai. Sona had travelled to the city by train, prior to the 1992 Bombay riots, and met Aishwarya, who was studying architecture at the time. According to Sona, Aishwarya was always known for her intelligence, eloquence, and stunning beauty, even before becoming Miss World.
Sona reflected on Aishwarya’s transformation over the years, noting that her public persona seemed to change after she entered the film industry. “I remember the first time I encountered Aishwarya, she was gorgeous, smart, and spoke very well,” Sona said. “But there was a period when I saw her in interviews and thought, ‘This isn’t the Aishwarya I saw.’ She seemed to giggle a lot, which made me think, ‘Is this a phase or is she being compelled to act this way?’ But the industry she is in may compel her to not be just too smart, I might be wrong. She toned down,” Sona speculated that the pressures of the film industry might have influenced Aishwarya’s demeanour, causing her to tone down her intellectual side.
Aishwarya Rai, who initially aspired to become an architect, shifted her focus to modelling and later won the Miss World crown in 1994. She made her acting debut with Iruvar in 1997 and appeared in numerous successful films, including Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, Devdas, and Jodha Akbar. Her most recent appearance was in Ponniyin Selvan: II (2023). Despite stepping back from acting in recent years, Aishwarya remains one of the most celebrated stars in Indian cinema.
