Indian actress Aishwarya Rai says finding work in Hollywood is no easy task

Indian actress Aishwarya Rai says finding work in Hollywood is no easy task, even for one of Bollywood's most recognizable leading ladies. "People overseas are aware of me, but haven't seen enough of my work to be able to perceive me as anything but relatively new to their world," Rai was quoted as saying in the December issue of Filmfare magazine.

The former Miss India, long a major box office draw in India, recently wrapped up filming "The Last Legion," a Hollywood epic about a Roman warrior, played by Colin Firth, who must protect a young Caesar as the Roman Empire crumbles. Rai plays Mira, a mysterious black-clad warrior who also helps protect Caesar.

Although she is not the lead in the movie, Rai agreed to take part "because you want visibility or (to) be part of a great team or work with a director or you want (a) foot in the door." "So it's a tightrope you are walking and it's your decision which side you want to dip and which way you want to go," she was quoted as saying. Rai's manager, Hari Singh, confirmed she had given the interview to Filmfare. Rai has acted in more than 30 movies, served on the Cannes film festival jury and featured in international advertising campaigns for jewelry, cosmetics and soft drink companies.

Shot in Slovakia, "The Last Legion" is being produced by Dino De Laurentiis and also stars Ben Kingsley. It is scheduled to be released next year, reports the AP. I.L.