Amitabh Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai have been approached by the Kerala tourism authorities, who are trying their best to rope in the two Bollywood superstars as Kerala tourism's brand ambassadors.

The larger than life image of Amitabh Bachchan and the ethereal beauty of Aishwarya Rai can take the state's tourism income to new heights in the upcoming monsoon season, believe authorities.

If everything goes according to plans Amitabh Bachchan will be seen associated with the tourism promo while Aishwarya Rai will invite people to God's own Country by potraying how she maintains her radiant looks courtesy the ancient science of Ayurveda.

"Imagine a catchline by Ash, silhouetted against the alpenglow on the Western Ghats, revealing the secrets of ayurveda and how she copes with gruelling schedules. That's the kind of promo we have in mind," says Kerala Tourism director B. Suman.

Amitabh Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai would however cost the state over Rs 1 crore and Rs 80 lakh respectively. But keeping in view the revenue that would be generated by the stars this amount is tiny.

Kerala Tourism rakes in an average Rs 6,000 crore in revenues from foreign and domestic travellers but its skimpy ad budget of Rs 11 crore has been a dampener.

The plans are yet to be finalised. "The talks have been on for nearly six months now and both have agreed to slash the original fees, quite well appreciative of our funds constraints. I met Mr Bachchan at a tourist resort in Idukki last week. But we didn't talk much business since it was a courtesy call," Suman said.

Amitabh Bachchan is currently in the high-range of Munnar shooting for Ram Gopal Varma's film Nishabd. Aishwarya Rai is also likely to shoot in Kerala for Mani Ratnam's Guru.