South Asian Business news and information

Aishwarya Rai, recently turned to Aishwarya Bachchan, and Zhang Ziyi are the two most popular actresses of two different countries; India and China. Aishwarya is a beauty queen, an international super-model, and the most highly paid Bollywood actress and Zhang Ziyi is the most popular actress in China and one of the rising international Chinese stars. Here are some funny facts about these two ladies.

Name: Zhang Ziyi

Date of Birth: February 9, 1979 

Place of Birth: Beijing, China

Height: 5ft 5 inch/ 165 cm

Sign: Aquarius

Education: China Central Drama Academy,

Father:  Zhang Yuanxiao (economist)

Mother: Li Zhousheng (kindergarten teacher)

Brother: Zhang Zinan (older)

Name: Aishwarya Rai

Date of Birth: 1st November, 1973.

Place of Birth: Mangalore, Karnataka, India

Height: 5' 7

Eyes: grey green

Sign: Scorpio.

Education: Arya Vidar Mandir, DG Ruparel College, Raheja College Architecture.

Their initials are the first and last letters of English alphabet.

 

Both these famous actresses started their career as models. At the age of fourteen, Zhang appeared in a Shampoo commercial.When she was in 9th grade, Aishwarya appeared in the television commercial for Camlin pencils. While studying architecture, Aishwarya Rai used to work as a part time model. Then she took part in beauty contest and won Miss World in 1994. After winning the beauty contest Aishwarya Rai changed her decision and came into film.

 

Aishwarya Bachchan first appeared in Iruvar, a movie by famous Tamil movie director, Mani Ratnam. While studying in Central Academy of Drama, Zhang did her first movie, Touching Starlight.  

Both these actresses got their first award after acting in their second movie. Famous Chinese director, Zhang Yimou chose Zhang Ziyi for his movie The Road Home. The movie won Silver Bear award in 2000 Berlin Festival. Ziyi won Hundred Flowers award for her performance in The Road Home. On the other hand, Aishwarya Rai, won Star Screen Award Most Promising Newcomer (Female) in 1997 for her second movie Aur Pyar Ho Gaya.

 

Aishwarya Bachchan has a very good academic background. She was a very a bright student and was planning to become an architect. After winning Miss World 1994, she entered into films. Unlike Aishwarya, Zhang Ziyi studied in dancing and acting schools. At first Zhang studied Chinese folk dance in Xuanwu District Children’s Palace and then went to Beijing Dance Academy which is a reputed institution. She even became a national champion in 1994.

Both these actresses came from a middle class nuclear family. Zhang’s father was an economist and mother was a kindergarten teacher. Aishwarya’s mother Vrinda Rai was a writer and father Krishnaraj Rai is a marine engineer. In her interview with CCTV Ziyi said that when she was a child her mother used to tell her that those toys in the departmental stores were only for looking not buying.

 

Another funny thing is both these actresses have elder brothers. Aishwarya Bachchan’s brother, Aditya Rai is a film producer. Aditya is three years older than her. Zhang Zinan, is six years older than Zhang Ziyi, work as her agent.

Useful Links:

http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/contributor/1800424122/bio

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zhang_Ziyi

http://www.helloziyi.us/Articles/Interview_With_Zinan.htm

http://www.helloziyi.us/Articles/First-Times.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aishwarya_Rai

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0706787/bio