Aishwarya declines to be immortalised as Barbie

New Delhi, March 27 (IANS) Bollywood beauty Aishwarya Rai has declined to be immortalised as a Barbie doll, due to her professional commitments.

It was earlier reported that representatives of the 35-year-old actress were in negotiations with Barbie's manufacturer Mattel, who planned to give the iconic doll a Bollywood face. But the deal did not take off.

Since 1994 when Aishwarya won the Miss World title, the company has made numerous attempts to make a celebrity doll modelled on the Indian beauty. However, she could never get time for their endeavour, due to her professional commitments, she said.

Yet again on the doll's 50th anniversary, Aishwarya was approached to appear decked up as a celebrity Barbie.

'Mattel was keen to have the actress walk the ramp on Lakme Fashion Week 'Barbie dolled up' in a winning design as Single Likeness Barbie, which would be unveiled and auctioned for a charity of her choice,' said a statement issued by Aishwarya's spokesperson.

However, the actress opted out due to her prior commitments as she did not want to cause inconvenience to the film-makers she was working with by taking time out for the event.