* To be the face of Zandu Healthcare's centenary year celebration

MUMBAI: Padma Vibhushan Pandit Birju Maharaj, now 73, has signed for the first brand endorsement in a long and illustrious career. his first brand at the age of 73,  the connoisseur of Kathak dance. The Kathak maestro has been signed up to be the face of the Zandu Healthcare's centenary year celebrations in its forthcoming national television campaign.

Pandit Birju Maharaj says, Emami is a brand I have sincere regards for and so I am delighted to be a part of this campaign which captures the essence of good health and happiness....

Celebrities like Malaika Arora Khan, Zaheer Khan, Virendra Sehwag, Sachin Tendulakar and Mahendra Singh Dhoni have endorsed Zandu brands in the past. Harsh Agarwal, Director, Emami says, Celebrity endorsement has worked for us and we will continue with it. As the company grows and our portfolio increases, we will rope in more celebrities. Padma Vibhushan Pt Birju Maharaj is the ideal choice for Zandu portfolio as he embodies healthiness, vigor and well being....

The company recently signed on  Kangana Ranaut  to endorse its skin-care products for 2 years. Past brand ambassadors from Bollywood include Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Kareena Kapoor, Preity Zinta and Bipasha Basu.