Hollywood star in talks to promote the country and attract visitors interested in the practice I

ndia’s Tourism Ministry is eyeing Julia Roberts, the internationallyacclaimed star of Erin Brockovich, Notting Hill and Pretty Woman ,to promote the country globally and pull in visitors through yoga.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government seems to want to cash in on the Hollywood actress’ love for the practice and for Hinduism to boost the inflow of tourists, which has ebbed lately. In the film Eat, Pray and Love, Roberts plays a woman experimenting with Hindu spirituality while travelling in India after a distressing divorce.

The Telegraph on Wednesday quoted a senior tourism ministry official saying: “The plan has to be approved by Tourism Minister Mahesh Sharma and the Prime Minister’s Office before we approach the actress, but having an international face recognised for practicing yoga is crucial for the success of the campaign.”

Roberts will be the face of a media blitz to woo foreigners to India — the land of yoga. Roberts’ association with yoga is well known as she has publicly admitted how it helped her overcome stress and come to terms with herself.

“The actress’ endorsement has helped promote yoga in the West. The actress is also an Indophile and keeps coming to the country incognito”, an official told the daily.

Roberts has been photographed wearing the Indian bindi on her