Aishwarya Rai still endorses L'Oreal

Officials of cosmetic firm L'Oreal Paris have denied reports that Bollywood actress Aishwarya Rai has been replaced by Frieda Pinto as the new brand ambassador.

Reports of Frieda replacing Aishwarya came up after the "Slumdog Millionaire" star featured in L'Oreal's 'Happy New Year' television commercial.

"We are shocked and surprised to read in some sections of the media/press about Ms. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan being replaced as the face of L'Oreal Paris," said an official statement from the firm.

"L'Oreal Paris strongly reiterates that this is absolutely untrue and that Ms. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan continues to be our valued spokesperson, as she has since 2000. While she remains an integral part of the L'Oreal Paris world wide Dream Team, she was unfortunately unavailable for our New Year commercial shoot due to prior commitments.

"She is one of the most iconic women of our times and is certainly the face of L'Oreal Paris internationally and in India for a range of products which include campaigns for Total Repair 5, Excellence Crème, Color Riche, Hydrafresh," the statement added.

Time and again, brands are close to Aishwarya's heart.

                                                                          If Marcello Rubini had watched Aishwarya Rai-Bachchan glide down the ramp at the launch of the Longines Dolce Vita collection at the Taj Palace hotel on Sardar Patel Marg, he would have approved. Wearing a flowing blue gown by designer duo Gauri and Nainika Karan, Rai-Bachchan made for a pretty picture as she spoke about working with actors Kate Winslet and Chi Ling Lin for the new television commercial
for the brand, shot across Rome. “It is always a pleasure to work with like-minded women, and we had a lot of fun together ,” she said.

To mark the launch of the collection, the Durbar Hall was transformed in to Federico Fellini’s Roma of the 60s, complete with Italian jazz numbers, and a choreographed performance by two dancers
. Models draped in rich shades of wine reds, burgundy, dark greens, blacks and whites, also by the same designers, showcased ten watches from the collection, priced in the range of Rs 95,000 to Rs 2.6 lakh. With husband Abhishek endorsing sister company Omega, the actor insisted that neither of them interfered in the other’s endorsement deals.

“We are extremely loyal to our brands, and do not impose on each others’ preferences,” she quipped.