Bollywood stars to sparkle for Indian gold

Jewellery-makers in India are drawing on the fame and talents of two of Bollywood's biggest stars in order to help promote gold jewellery from the country.

Former Miss World Aishwarya Rai and film star Amitabh Bachchan will be lending a glamorous hand to a drive on the part of the Indian gold industry to increase exports.

It is hoped that the country as a whole can increase its gold exports over the course of the next five years to reach a value of $10 billion, Bloomberg reports.

Currently, Italy and Belgium lead in global gold exports but India also plans to offer reduced taxes in certain zones to promote growth.

Both stars are already well-known within India and have begun to amass international recognition, particularly Ms Rai who starred in Bride and Prejudice - the successful Bollywood take on Jane Austen's classic novel.