Google Maps approaches Bollywood star Amitabh Bachchan for voice navigation

Imagine you open Google Maps one fine day, set the destination and start the navigation feature, only to hear Bollywood star Amitabh Bachchan giving you voice directions. It has not happened yet but may soon be a reality. As per a report, Google Maps India team has approached the movie star for giving voice directions in the app, a feature some of us use and most of us keep on mute since it becomes annoying at times.

“Amitabh Bachchan has the most influential and recognisable baritone. Hence, he is the best choice for the voice of Google Maps. He has been approached, but the contract has not been signed yet,” said one of the sources to Mid-Day.

Also read: Google Maps update now shows how crowded is public transport, medical checkpoints and more on Android, iOS

That said, it has been reported that Bachchan has (naturally) been offered an exorbitant amount to come onboard. It is not for sure if this idea will pan out or not."It's up to Bachchan now," says the source to the news website.

For what’s worth, the teaming up of Google Maps India and Bollywood is not new. Back in 2018, the platform collaborated with Bollywood star Aamir Khan to use his character named Firangi from Thugs of Hindustan, in Google Maps.

Meanwhile, Google has rolled out a bunch of new features to its Maps app to help more travellers stay on top of all the information related to Covid-19 areas and transit, while on the move. Now it will show users how crowded transit lines are, pull alerts from local transit agencies, show Covid-19 checkpoints alerts while driving and more. While some are there in India, others will make way in the country soon.