London: Leading Bollywood actress Aishwarya Rai has been voted the most attractive woman in the world in 2003, edging out Hollywood stars like Nicole Kidman and Catherine Zeta-Jones for the title, according to an international online poll.

The green-eyed beauty won with 33 per cent of the votes, despite a strong challenge from British newcomer Keira Knightley, who was second with 31 per cent votes, the poll conducted by the Website linked to the celebrity magazine 'Hello!' said.

The former Miss World edged out Kidman, Zeta-Jones and Queen Rania of Jordan for the title.

Aishwarya stands on the cusp of international fame. In 2003, she became the first Indian actress to sit on the jury of the Cannes and is tipped to be the next Bond girl.

The former Miss World, popularly known as "Ash", will also make her Hollywood debut this year, starring opposite Meryl Streep in 'Chaos'.

Julia Roberts called Aishwarya "the most beautiful woman in the world" and speculated that "this could be her biggest year yet as she has been in talks with the makers of the Bond movies".

She is also set to appear in a Bollywood version of Jane Austen's 'Pride and Prejudice' - renamed 'Bride and Prejudice'.

The online poll list comprised Aishwarya Rai, Keira Knightley, Nicole Kidman, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Kate Winslet, Angelina Jolie, Shakira, Queen Rania of Jordan, Gwyneth Paltrow and Cindy Crawford.

'Hello!' magazine also conducted a poll for the "Most Attractive Man", where the ranking was: Orland Bloom, Jon Bon Jovi, Colin Firth, Will Young, Johnny Depp, Robert Downey Jr, Bryan McFadden, Viggo Mortensen, Keanu Reeves, Tom Jones, Kiefer Sutherland and Robbie Williams.

There was also a category for "Most Elegant Woman", where the results were: Liv Tyler, Nicole Kidman, Mary Donaldson, Queen Rania of Jordan, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Sandra Bullock, Angelina Jolie, Gwyneth Paltrow, Victoria Beckham, Charlize Theron, Reese Witherspoon and Natalie Imbruglia.