Aishwarya Rai seeks transition to Hollywood

Aishwarya Rai, known as the Queen of Bollywood, is trying to make the transition from Indian sensation to Hollywood star.

The actress known as the Queen of Bollywood, Aishwarya Rai, is trying to make the transition from Indian sensation to Hollywood star.

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Rai, whose first English-language movie was 2004's 'Bride & Prejudice,' was in downtown Oakland filming scenes for her new movie, 'Mistress of Spices,' about a shop owner trained in the art of healing with spices.

Rai, a former Miss World, is a superstar in India. She has made more than 30 movies and has served on the Cannes Film Festival jury.

"It's kind of like an ode to the Bay Area," Rai, 31, said of 'Mistress of Spices.'

The filmmakers spent Sunday shooting joggers and murals around Lake Merritt for background scenes for 'Spices,' which is based on the novel by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni.