'Munni' Zandu Balm 'hui'

This could easily be the most hilarious endorsement deal ever. Malaika Arora Khan, dancer, model and television personality, is now forced to become the face of the brand Zandu Balm following the success of her song Munni Badnaam Hui, which had the line Main Zandu Balm Hui, Darling Tere Liye.

As if that weren’t enough, Telugu superstar Junior NTR will be endorsing the product with her.

“The legal suit slapped by the makers on Zandu Balm on Arbaaz Khan, who produced Dabangg, the film which had the song, led to a compromise where they agreed that Malaika would finally endorse the product," said a source.

"But it was last week that we learnt that the elusive Telugu actor, who doesn’t take on endorsements, was signed on, which came as a surprise.”

Arora-Khan, who regained the fame that she had achieved with tracks like Chaiyya Chaiyya earlier, said, “It is only fair that we endorse the product. After all, this song has become an anthem on the dance floor and the line with Zandu Balm makes people go crazy.”

When we eventually got through to the Telugu star, who will be matching steps with Arora-Khan in the ad, he laughed it off, saying, “This endorsement made sense to me. Also, I get to share screen space with one of India’s hottest stars. I’d have been a fool to have rejected this offer.”

Looks like the good old ads with ageing grandparents and broken backs are dead along with the Doordarshan era. This time around, it is all about sexy sirens and sexier lyrics.