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Shahrukh, Aamir, Abhishek in Forbes list

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Agencies Posted: Jul 16, 2008 at 1600 hrs IST
After the business titans like Ambanis and Mittals, it is the turn of the three young icons of Indian entertainment world -- Shahrukh Khan, Aamir Khan and Abhishek Bachchan -- to make it to a Forbes list.

The US publication, known for its rankings of wealthiest persons across the world, has named these Bollywood stars among ten celebrities adding star-power to mobile phones.

The two Khans and the junior Bachchan, son of Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan, have been joined by two international sportstars Maria Sharapova and David Beckham, four singers Usher, Fergie, Rain and Andy Lau and race car driver Danica Patrick in the 'Ten Celebs and Their Cells' list published on the Forbes website.

"Once upon a time, perfume and designer jean makers were the ones who relied on celebrities to add a bit of star-dust glamour to their products. Add to that list, now, mobile phone makers," the report said.

While Shahrukh endorses mobile phones made by Nokia, the world's biggest cellphone maker, Abhishek and Aamir are brand ambassadors for Motorola and Samsung phones respectively.

Among other celebrities, Russian tennis player Maria Sharapova endorses Sony Ericsson phones, while soccer star David Beckham is a brand ambassador for Motorola RAZR2 phone.

Forbes said the ten celebrities are ‘some of the big ones who want you to join their handheld club’.

"As nearly everyone on the planet seems to have a cellphone, device makers must work harder to win new customers. Cool designs and low prices help, of course. But so do celebrities. That's led phone makers to recruit some A-listers from Usher to David Beckham to lend an ear-- and a smile-- to selling cellphones," it added.

Earlier in 2008, Forbes came out with its annual list of world's richest people, which had in its top ten four Indians -- namely steel tycoon Lakshmi Mittal, two Ambani brothers Mukesh and Anil and realty baron K P Singh.

Talking about Nokia, the report said that ‘the world's largest phone manufacturer doesn't work with many celebrities but makes an exception for Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan, who says he has used Nokia phones for more than a decade’.

"After pairing on a popular commercial last December, the company began sponsoring Khan's cricket team this spring," it noted.

Forbes said Abhishek, a former LG Electronics' brand ambassador, now represents Motorola phones in India, "is Bollywood royalty, thanks to his famous actor father, Amitabh Bachchan, and glamorous actress wife Aishwarya Rai".

About Aamir, the report said, "After appearing in his first movie at age 8, Bollywood star Aamir Khan now produces and directs films, as well as acts. Samsung has said it is counting on Khan's popularity to help it double its market share in India this year."

The report further noted that Maria Sharapova might be ‘forever identified with Motorola's hot-pink RAZR, but she's on Sony Ericsson's team now’ after signing a four-year pact in January with the company.

On Beckham, it noted, "Motorola still has a hot athlete in its stable: David Beckham, the face of its RAZR2 phone" while rivals have their own soccer stars.

Among other celebs, singer Usher has associated with Sony Ericsson, while Motorola has signed Fergie to promote its ROKR phone.

Besides, Samsung has chosen Rain (also known as Jung Ji Hoon), Korea's answer to Justin Timberlake, to represent its phones in Asia in the run-up to the Beijing Olympics and LG Electronics has tapped ‘Cantopop’ singer actor and producer Andy Lau to put ‘his stamp on its Shine phone’.

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