Deepika Padukone Following Aishwarya Rai Bachchan's Footsteps?

It seems that Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone is following Aishwarya Rai Bachchan's footsteps. The "Chennai Express" actress has signed an advertisement deal which the Bachchan bahu used to endorse previously.

Padukone, who is on cloud nine following back-to-back hits, has signed a big endorsement deal for a leading cola brand. The endorsement deal is estimated to be of 6 crore, Hindustan Times reported.

The deal is said to be Padukone's biggest endorsement deal in her career. "The cola brand signed Padukone for more than one year and she is being paid hefty sum," a source told Hindustan Times.

"The brand has been very selective in choosing its ambassadors. Among Bollywood heroines, they had Aishwarya Rai Bachchan around eight years ago. At the time, she had a successful run in her acting career. After a long gap, they have now signed Deepika," an industry source reveals.

Deepika, who is on top of her career with four back-to-back hit films, has been already endorsing more than 10 brands.

Along with Padukone, the soft drink company also signed Farhan Akhtar as the brand ambassador. The "Kartik Calling Kartik" lead pair was recently seen in the soft drink ad together.

The former Miss World Bachchan was the previous woman celebrity associated with the brand. Aishwarya endorsed the soft drink brand till 2005.

Meanwhile, there were also reports that Padukone will be named as the new face of HP tablets.

"Deepika Padukone is now all set to be the brand ambassador of HP tablets," Bollywood Hungama quoted reliable sources as saying.

Watch Akhtar and Padukone's new soft drink ad here: