Aishwarya Rai Bachchan: Elle magazine cover 'skin-whitening' scandal: Fans of Aishwarya Rai Bachchan were left stunned last week after the actress's skin appeared to have been digitally lightened on the cover of a new issue of Elle magazine. Now the 37-year-old Bollywood star, who is widely believed to be the world's most beautiful woman, is said to be considering suing the Indian version of the title over what has been deemed 'racist airbrushing'. The actress herself has not commented on the situation, but friends of the Bride and Prejudice star have said she is 'furious'.

'Aishwarya's first reaction was disbelief,' said one. 'She believed that these things don't happen anymore. Not in this day and age when women are recognised for their merit, and not for the colour of their skin. 'She is currently verifying this skin-whitening allegation. If there is any proof of this, she might even take action.'

Another adder: 'She is clearly the global face of the contemporary Indian woman. The last thing she'd want is to have a global image coloured by a racial suggestion.' Neither Elle magazine or Mrs Bachan were available for comment today. The actress, a former Miss World who is married to fellow actor Abhishek Bachchan, is thought to be too preoccupied by her father, who is ill, to look into the matter further.