Aishwarya Rai lookalike Aamna Imran is 'thrilled' by the comparisons to Bollywood star

The Pakistani beauty blogger was trending online because of her uncanny resemblance to the popular actress

Aamna Imran, left, is trending online for her uncanny resemblance to Bollywood star Aishwarya Rai, right. Aamna Imran, AFP

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is certainly not short of doppelgangers, and this week one in particular went viral online for her uncanny resemblance to the Bollywood actress and former Miss World.

Aamna Imran, a Pakistani beauty blogger and medic based in the US, caused a stir when she was discovered on social media, where she recreates looks from Rai Bachchan's films.

In just a few days, her follower count on has soared. "I started at approximately 2,000 followers on Instagram and within a couple of  days it has grown to an astounding 25,500 followers," she tells The National.

"The love and support worldwide has been an extremely exciting time for me. I focus on the positivity and I am enjoying, along with cherishing, every second of these moments.

"I did not expect this level of attention. It has been a thrill!"

She may have been bewildered by the attention, but she wasn't surprised by the comparisons, however, as Imran has been likened to the Bride and Prejudice actress since she was young.

She's also a fan of her work.

"I think her acting is magnificent, and the outfits and make-up are elegant," Imran says. "I am a fan of her acting as I have watched the majority of her movies."

Her favourites include Devdas, Mohabbatein, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam and Taal.

Imran, who was born and raised in the US, has a Pakistani father whose parents were Indian, while her mother and maternal grandparents are from Afghanistan, according to media reports.

She caught attention online by dressing up like the actress and even posting clips of her impressions. Popular Bollywood paparazzo Viral Bhayani posted about her to his 2.2 million followers on Instagram.

In one image, Imran wears a white coat reminiscent of a Rai Bachchan look in the 2016 Hindi film Ae Dil Hai Mushkil. In a video, she's seen lip-synching to the song Aankhein Khuli from the 2000 romantic musical Mohabbatein.

Since the first articles were posted about her, Imran has received several job offers. But will she turn her back on her medical career to pursue an opportunity in the entertainment industry?

"I will keep my medical profession and welcome any appealing opportunities in the showbiz and entertainment industry," she says, non-committally.

For now, she has other, more heartfelt, plans for her expanded global presence. "I plan to utilise my media attention ... by shedding light on important aspects in life such as feeding the poor, caring for the homeless, having a heart for battered women, promoting education, loving the orphans and showing kindness to the animals.

"Regardless of religion, cultures, tribes, colour, race, beliefs, I believe in honouring human dignity.

"Beauty radiates internally to externally, in my opinion. I strive to improve myself every single day, my eyes open with my actions and statements. When it comes to human beings, I see each one as a soul, with no comparison between the wealthy and the less fortunate."

Imran is not the first person to gain attention for looking like Aishwarya Rai. TikTok star Ammuzz Amrutha and Iranian model Mahlagha Jaberi have both also previously made headlines thanks to their striking resemblance to the Indian actress, aged 47.