Aishwarya Rai

Aishwarya Rai is among the few crop of current Indian actors to have a considerable following among the young Chinese in this sub-provincial district.

Just opposite to the majestic hotel Pavilion on the Huaqiang Road is a huge L’Oreal hoarding featuring Rai.

“She’s beautiful. I pass through this road every day and never fail to have a look at the hoarding,” says Zu Shan, who works as a marketing executive of an advertising company.

Aishwarya is the brand ambassador of L’Oreal’s cosmetic products. “Aishwarya is a good actress. I have seen most of her movies,” he says.

Zu’s favourite male star is Abhishek Bachchan. “The two make a great couple,” he says. Zeng Fangjun also adores Aishwarya’s beauty as well as her acting talents.

“She is quite talented. I got to watch some of her movies on the local cable network,” says the communications manager of an IT firm.

Local channels like CCTV feature Indian movies with Chinese subtitles. Zeng said she watched “Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam”, “Devdas” and “Aur Pyar Ho Gaya” among others on cable TV. Zeng’s Indian friends also provide her with their stock of Aishwarya films.