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Aishwarya Rai set to become the Indian face of Barbie

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Press Trust of India London

Bollywood superstar Aishwarya Rai may soon join the ranks of Hollywood beauties like Beyonce Knowles, Elizabeth Taylor and Diana Ross, by becoming the first Indian face of the legendary doll 'Barbie'.

The representatives for the actress are reportedly in negotiations with the toy giant, Mattel, as it plans to transform the iconic doll into a Bollywood star and sell it throughout India.

The former Miss World will have a Barbie modelled after her, titled "Bollywood Barbie", reported The Telegraph.

The company, which recently celebrated Barbie's 50th birthday, is expecting to cash in on the popularity of the star to increase its sales in India.

 

Aishwarya is one of the most recognised faces around the world thanks to starring roles in Hollywood films like "Pink Panther 2", "Mistress of Spices" and "Bride and Prejudice" and lucrative endorsements deals like "Loreal" and "Longines".

The 35-year-old actress, who married into Bollywood's first family of the Bachchans, will have the doll modelled on her with her striking green eyes, and the doll will wear outfits created by India's top designers.

The Barbie deal signals to Aishwarya's rising global popularity. She is among the four Indian film stars to have their waxwork image displayed at Madame Tussaud's, the others being her father-in-law Amitabh Bachchan, Shahrukh Khan and yesteryear's screen diva Helen.

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First Published: Mar 25 2009 | 8:22 PM IST

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