Don't judge a book by its cover, they say. That certainly doesn't hold true as far as fashion or film magazines go.
The sheer ability to attract a reader with unabashed glamour wearing its face is where a glossy's appeal lie anyway. You can also measure a star's (superficial) success by the number of magazine covers he or she bags.
Lately, with international magazines like Vogue hitting the Indian scene, celebrity covers, photo-shopped or not, have never looked better.
Kareena Kapoor
The new, revamped Kareena is the hottest makeover to have hit Bollywood since Aishwarya Rai Bachchan sizzled in Dhoom 2.
Buzz is she's the highest paid actress in the film industry, at the moment. No surprise there, considering her achievement list has been never-ending ever since Jab We Met became a huge hit. A terrific performance won her awards and acclaim galore. Personally, she broke up with Shahid Kapur only to form a 'power couple' with the publically smitten Saif Ali Khan.
With the much-hyped biggie Tashan, co-starring beau Saif along with Akshay Kumar and Anil Kapoor, all set to hit the marquee in April, Bebo's stars look brighter than ever.
And so from Filmfare and FHM to Marie Claire and Vogue India, there's been a spate of super-glamorous Kareena covers in the market.
Katrina Kaif
The other K -- Katrina isn't far behind either. The doe-eyed actress enjoyed a booming 2007 with back to back hits like Namastey London, Apne, Partner and Welcome.
Unlike some of her other competitors who thrive on sensational talk and saucy quotes, Katrina maintains a strictly I-love-my-privacy attitude.
That, however, hasn't deterred magazines, from approaching the gorgeous 23-year-old to be the face of umpteen covers. From slipping into Jean-Paul Gaultier for Vogue to looking ultra chic on Maxim, Kats has done it all.
Deepika Padukone
It took just one blockbuster opposite Shah Rukh Khan to catapult Deepika Padukone to the big league.
With all the Best Newcomer trophies in her kitty and prestigious assignments like Yash Raj Films' Bachna Ae Haseeno co-starring Ranbir Kapoor, Bipasha Basu, Minissha Lamba and Nikhil Advani's Chandni Chowk to China opposite Akshay Kumar, model turned actress believes in making hay while it shines.
The leggy lady recently acknowledged her few weeks old relationship with the Saawariya hero, in print, making her a hot proposition for magazine covers yet again, post-Om Shanti Om hullabaloo.
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan
She's the original cover girl!
From gracing the cover of the reputed Time magazine to finding mention in top magazines like Variety, Rolling Stones and People, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan has been there, done that.
Even though her international assignments like Bride And Prejudice, The Mistress Of Spices, Provoked and The Last Legion didn't particularly excite, the exceptional beauty has had it better back home essaying a variety of roles from crook (Dhoom 2) to queen (Jodhaa Akbar).
What next? In Hollywood, there's The Pink Panther 2 opposite Steve Martin. Her Bollywood offering includes Ram Gopal Varma's Sarkaar Raj, co-starring hubby Abhishek and pa-in-law Amitabh Bachchan.
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Bipasha Basu
Whether it's Vogue, Elle, Verve or Cosmopolitan, you can count on the sultry Bipasha Basu to set the temperatures rising.
Loaded with attitude and charisma, Bips believes in constantly re-inventing her looks by experimenting with different hairstyles and wardrobe. No wonder she's a favourite with glossies.
And while we think Bipasha looks sexy by herself, her posing with the equally dishy John Abraham is sure to make a lot of sales at a magazine stall.
Gauri Khan
Vogue dubbed her the 'First lady of Bollywood'. Being a superstar's better half ensures constant limelight, which is not always a good thing.
Mrs Shah Rukh Khan, however, is clearly comfortable and confident about her status.
Considering she doesn't give many interviews, her exclusive with Vogue in a red-hot Jenny Packham number is collector's item material for every magazine fanatic.
Fan Fictions
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