From Hollywood to Bollywood
January 17, 2010 2:09 AM Subscribe
Are there any major Hollywood actors who take roles in Bollywood films?
I just came across the fact that Rex Harrison played a character in a Hindi film in 1978, and was both surprised and impressed. But maybe this is more common than I think.
I just came across the fact that Rex Harrison played a character in a Hindi film in 1978, and was both surprised and impressed. But maybe this is more common than I think.
It happens very rarely, and most of the roles (like Kylie Minogue's) are more like brief appearances, perhaps for a song. Example: Snoop Dogg was in a song with Akshay Kumar in the film "Singh is Kingg."
Also, before Ali Larter joined Heroes, she starred opposite Salman Khan in a very unfortunate film called "Marigold."
posted by artemisia at 7:11 AM on January 17, 2010
Also, before Ali Larter joined Heroes, she starred opposite Salman Khan in a very unfortunate film called "Marigold."
posted by artemisia at 7:11 AM on January 17, 2010
Not *exactly* what you are asking, but I worked on the movie Bollywood Hero which is based on the story of Chris Kattan going to India to become a huge Bollywood star. It was a three part miniseries, but included a lot of over the top dance scenes and musical numbers. About half of the movie was actually filmed on location in India.
posted by banannafish at 7:22 AM on January 17, 2010
posted by banannafish at 7:22 AM on January 17, 2010
I'm not sure Rachel Shelley would fit your description of a major Hollywood actor, but she did have a long run on The L Word and has done quite a few movies. At any rate, she was once in a movie called Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India, which IMDB indicates is a "Bollywood" movie.
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 11:51 AM on January 17, 2010
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 11:51 AM on January 17, 2010
Lagaan...is a "Bollywood" movie
Dude, it's not just "a" Bollywood movie, it's one of the best movies I have ever seen. Go rent it now!
posted by randomstriker at 12:32 PM on January 17, 2010
Dude, it's not just "a" Bollywood movie, it's one of the best movies I have ever seen. Go rent it now!
posted by randomstriker at 12:32 PM on January 17, 2010
Response by poster: Seems like it's pretty rare. I guess most Bollywood films don't have a budget that would allow for the hiring of major Western movie stars.
But it's still weird to me that it hasn't happened more --- some Western actors probably should jump on this train. If what you want is worldwide recognition and fame, then it might be worth taking a pay cut to widen your audience base.
Lagaan is now saved in my Netflix queue
posted by painquale at 1:31 AM on January 18, 2010
But it's still weird to me that it hasn't happened more --- some Western actors probably should jump on this train. If what you want is worldwide recognition and fame, then it might be worth taking a pay cut to widen your audience base.
Lagaan is now saved in my Netflix queue
posted by painquale at 1:31 AM on January 18, 2010
Serendipity: Today it was announced that Ben Kingsley will star in a Bollywood film that will be released next month, and it looks like he'll star in another one that will come out next year.
posted by lilac girl at 8:21 PM on January 18, 2010
posted by lilac girl at 8:21 PM on January 18, 2010
How apropos, since Kingsley (née Krishna Pandit Bhanji) is half Gujarati.
posted by randomstriker at 2:45 PM on January 19, 2010
posted by randomstriker at 2:45 PM on January 19, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by hnnrs at 3:04 AM on January 17, 2010