Presenting: Brand Abhishek

For a very long time, Abhishek Bachchan needed the 'son of Amitabh Bachchan' tag.

For years since his debue movie Refugee in 2000, Abhishek plodded through a string of hits. But he has finally arrived. And how! After a rocking 2005, Abhishek -- who turns 30 on February 5 -- looks poised to step out of his dad's shadow.

And the story lies in the ads.

Three years ago, no advertiser would touch Abhishek unless he came packaged with his megastar father.

Remember the Maruti Versa ad? Abhishek drives his father around and extols the car's virtues, while Amitabh is finally the one making the sale. At the time, Abhishek's films were going nowhere, and his personal life was also in turmoil after falling out with Karisma Kapoor.

We all know how Shah Rukh Khan changed the fortune of Hyundai, a Korean company, in terms of sales, by promoting its Santro when they launched in India seven years ago.

King Khan rules the endorsement heap, with ads for everything from colas to confectionery.

All actors are aboard the ad bandwagon.

If Saif had Pepsi and Lays, Hrithik bagged Coke and Hero Honda.

Aamir's latest is Toyota Innova, and even Shahid Kapur gets to promote Clinic All Clear.

In fact, all actors have, and had, ad deals. It was only Abhishek who was out in the cold.

But today, post Bunty Aur Babli and Sarkar, Abhishek is a solo brand. He endorses Ford's latest offering in India, the Ford Fiesta, and something about the man's box-office fortunes tells you that more such solo shows are on the cards.

Of course, he is nowhere near his father, who endorses more products than you can think of, but that is not stopping him from raking in sponsorships worth millions of his own.

So, here's to Brand Abhishek!

thanx...he looks soooo gud in dat last pic...

thanks 😃 he looks hot in the ad! 😃