Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan will most likely replace actor Aamir Khan as the brand ambassador of the Indian government's "Incredible India" campaign, tourism ministry officials said Thursday.
"Amitabh Bachchan will be the first choice of the ministry for the job. Other names being considered include actors Akshay Kumar, Deepika Padukone and Priyanka Chopra," a ministry official said, according to the Hindustan Times. This comes after the ministry decided to not renew Khan's contract, which expired recently.
Khan, whose remarks on perceived intorelance in the country recently sparked a massive political controversy, said he respected the government's decision.
"It is the prerogative of the government to decide whether they need a brand ambassador for any campaign, and if so, who that ambassador should be. I respect the decision of the government to discontinue with my services," the "PK" star said in a statement, according to India Today.
"It has been an honour and a pleasure for me to be the Brand Ambassador for the Incredible India campaign for the past 10 years. I was happy to be of service to my country, and will always be available for it," he said.
Bachchan, on the other hand, said he was ready to become new face of the tourism ministry's "Atithi Devo Bhava" campaign.
"Nobody has asked me, but if they do, yes, I would be more than willing to. I do a lot of this for a state and country and I will be happy if ever there is offer to do something," the "Wazir" actor said, according to Indian Express.
