Akshay, Shahrukh my favourite icons: Vijender

New Delhi, Aug 28: He may have become a most sought after youth icon after he got India its first boxing medal at the Olympics but pugilist Vijender Kumar considers Bollywood actors Akshay kumar and 'King Khan' Shahrukh his favourite icons.

''Shah Rukh and Akshay Kumar are my favourites,'' Vijender told reporters at a function where he was unveiled as a brand ambassador of Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance company. On the occasion, Vijender informed that he was in talks with various filmmakers for a role in a Bollywood film. ''Talks are on with various filmmakers and as soon as anything is finalised, I'll let you know,'' Vijender said.

Buzz is that this young pugilist has been flooded with modelling offers after winning a bronze at the Beijing Olympics.

''I can devote some time to modelling, but boxing will remain my first priority as it is boxing that has brought me here,''Vijender clarified.

The pugilist said that as a youth icon, he would like to endorse products that cater to the youth.

''However, I'll never endorse liquor or cigarette brands,'' he said.

Asked whether he would go on a date with glamorous actress Bipasha Basu after winning the gold at London Olympics, as mentioned by him in a recent television interview, Vijender said, ''Bipasha se date hui to aapko zaroor bataunga (I will inform all of you, if and when I go on a date with Bipasha).'' Speaking on the occasion, the Head of Marketing and Corporate Communications for Bajaj Allianz Akshay Mehrotra said the reason to choose Vijender, over others like Olympic Gold Medal winner Abhinav Bindra, as the company's brand ambassdor was his mass appeal' considering that he hails from a small village in Haryana.

''We want to reach out to small towns and villages as we have most of our branches in the rural parts of the country,''Mehrotra said.

UNI