BSNL ad: Preity out, Deepika in

The squeaky, bubbly girl, who refused to tie the nuptial knot with an otherwise versatile boy, not having a BSNL landline connection at home, will soon be off your TV screens. For, in keeping with the changing times, the BSNL has decided to replace its brand ambassador.

So, who will be Preity Zinta’s replacement? Bingo! It is Deepika Padukone, whom the Americans have voted the hottest woman! Confirming this, BSNL deputy director-general (marketing), MSS Rao told HT from New Delhi: “Our contract with Preity ends on August 18. We have now decided on having Deepika as our brand ambassador. Her term with us will be initially for one year and extendable by another year.”

Deepika got the BSNL management’s nod ahead of many other Bollywood stars given the fact that she was the Gen-X icon. “The BSNL wants to identify itself with the youth and Deepika is the youth icon,” added Rao.

The BSNL had considered all the top-notch Bollywood stars, barring those contracted by its competitors, before settling with Deepika as its brand ambassador. Among those not considered were Shah Rukh Khan, Priyanka Chopra, Vidya Balan, Kareena Kapoor and R Madhavan.