# Aishwarya Rai calls Mani Ratnam her guru, reflects on bond 2026-08-08T16:02:23+00:00 | Entertainment | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 1 independent outlet Aishwarya Rai has called Mani Ratnam her guru and said meeting him gave her the confidence to begin acting. The Times of India reports that when she first met Ratnam, he narrated the story of 'Iruvar' and respectfully asked her to be part of it, though he already knew her answer. They first connected during her modelling days when cinematographer Rajiv Menon introduced her to the music of 'Roja'. Ratnam directed Rai in 'Iruvar', 'Guru', 'Raavanan', and the two 'Ponniyin Selvan' films. Rai, who had no formal acting training, felt she had found the right guide. Their creative partnership, now spanning nearly three decades, is one of Indian cinema’s most recognised actor-director collaborations. ## Coverage - timesofindia.indiatimes.com Tags: actor-director duo, Aishwarya Rai, Indian cinema, Iruvar, Mani Ratnam, Ponniyin Selvan Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/aishwarya-rai-calls-mani-ratnam-her-guru-reflects-on-bond/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/aishwarya-rai-calls-mani-ratnam-her-guru-reflects-on-bond/#story-in-brief Review state: restored archive article, accurate at time of publication, not offered to search indexes.