Will Hollywood take to desi stars?

[victoria]

I think anyone with enough talent, luck, and connections can make it in Hollywood, provided they fit the Hollywood mold. Physically speaking, there are very few Bollywood actors who I can imagine doing that, especially among the men (Hrithik, maybe). I just can't see an SRK or an Aamir Khan really making it in Hollywood. I guess it depends what kind of career they'd like to have. They could go the Anil Kapoor route and, if they're willing to basically start from scratch, they could probably find good roles. But being a big star requires you to have a certain look (not exclusively, of course, but generally speaking). And then there's a matter of talent and acting style....

Honestly, I just don't see many Bollywood actors checking their attitudes and star power at the door in an effort to get a foot in. And why would they? They're already huge stars. I think it'd be easier for a Freida Pinto type to start from scratch and work their way up. But as I said, it's much easier if you fit Hollywood's physical standards.

[bluemay]

Hollywood is surely but slowly opening it's doors for desi actors if desi includes Indian-American and British Asian actors.  In addition to all the NBC shows mentioned upthread, you also have CBS shows Big Bang Theory, Rules of Engagement and the Good Wife (Archie Panjabi won an Emmy for her role!). Inception featured Dilip Rao in its cast. I'm happy seeing Indian-American, Canadian Indians and British Asians being cast in American and British productions.  These desi actors major in drama or go to acting school after college. They are accustomed to the western process of auditions, rehearsals and showing up to the set on time.  Presence of desi actors in American shows has increased greatly over the last 8 years compared to the 90s.  In the 90s, desi actors were only found on Crossing Jordan and Law & Order.

If "desi" is limited to Bollywood or Indian actors from India only, then no.  As stated upthread, BW stars need to check their attitude and get accustomed to the audition and rehearsal process.  I don't see that happening.  Talent is really important in Hollywood as well as getting cast in a show or movie that becomes popular. Anil Kapoor and Irfan Khan get roles here because they audition, fit the role and have adapted to the process here.  

[filmcrazy]

I think anyone with enough talent, luck, and connections can make it in Hollywood, provided they fit the Hollywood mold. Physically speaking, there are very few Bollywood actors who I can imagine doing that, especially among the men (Hrithik, maybe). I just can't see an SRK or an Aamir Khan really making it in Hollywood. I guess it depends what kind of career they'd like to have. They could go the Anil Kapoor route and, if they're willing to basically start from scratch, they could probably find good roles. But being a big star requires you to have a certain look (not exclusively, of course, but generally speaking). And then there's a matter of talent and acting style....

Not sure why you think the physiognomy is relevant. Yeah, HW has chiseled Greek Gods like Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise but there are also character actors who manage to find important roles due to sheer talent. I think HW has room for unconventional leading men. That is why Anil Kapoor has managed to get decent work as opposed to Hrithik Roshan who was busy trying to prove how he can do "everything". 

[leaf]

It's fun to see how much has changed since 2006. I'm not sure we would even be asking this question today.

Desi Americans, Brits, etc., are already making their mark on American television. And I think most people would agree that Hollywood currently produces better television than they do films, which tend to be far more conservative and closed off to diversity.

As for Indian stars, why would they want to move to Hollywood? It's the same thing South Indian stars say about moving to Hindi. They have large, loyal fanbases already, why would they want to start somewhere else as a newcomer? Aishwarya is flourishing in Indian cinema and there's no need to look for projects abroad. Hrithik seems to have given up on his Hollywood aspirations after Kites. He's not Javier Bardem, in terms of acting talent, and India isn't Spain, in terms of a local film industry.

[filmcrazy]

I think the question was specific to Bollywood actors? Yeah, I am happy about the Desi American and Desi British actors becoming prominent with each passing day. People like Kal Penn, Senthil Ramamurthy and Parminder Nagra are well known.

[los angeles]

I don't see a lot of Indian stars becoming popular in Hollywood (sorry, SRK fans)

The hubris, oh how dare you.
PR Young Lad, I hereby challenge you to a vet. Bet.
A huge public bet--we're in early 2011 right now. If, by the end of 2012, a huge BW actor hasn't signed a good role in a big mainstream HW movie, then I will mail you 2 Blu-Ray SI DVD of your choice for Christmas 2012.
If however, one of them does sign on the dotted line for such a thing, then you must mail me a box of the finest vegan chocolate or vegan pastries that you can find in Texas. I want gourmet stuff with frosting and sprinkles and the works.
I already have to pay Leaf $1000 one day for some poll she rolled out once where I thought my darling Prabhas was going to win and he didn't even make it to semi-final or something So I can lose again, I think, if I have to, no problem. BUT I WON'T. Because SRK or Rani or someone is going to pull through and pull it off and sign something good before the end of the next year Hahaha. But seriously.

[Prem Rogue]

^ I will take that bet.  By the end of 2012 I'm sure the Enthiran Blu-Ray will finally be out    However, it has to be a big Indian star, so Irfan Khan in Spider-man doesn't count.

[los angeles]

^ Agreed. Okay. IT'S ON.
We've got till Dec, 31st, 2012. We'll see who goes down in flames, the Texas PR or the Los Angeles lunatic. You've got the youth and brains on your side, but I've got delusional optimism on mine, and I've seen that trump everything in my hometown.
Start looking for a vegan pastry shop my friend. Hahaha.

[Sorry Mods, this is tangentially off-topic, please feel free to delete these posts if needed, no worries]

[Prem Rogue]

If I forget about this thread, I'll leave it to you to revive it two years later 

[bluemay]

Came across this article and thought it was germane to our discussion:  http://bollyspice.com/view.php/6518-hollywood-talent-manager-jai-khanna-talks-hollywood-and-india.html

I think many of us came to similar conclusions but it's interesting to hear it from a Hollywood insider who just happens to be Indian-American. I especially like his description of Irrfan Khan's approach.

[Prem Rogue]

I think it is still unclear or slightly misrepresented on what value is added when a Hollywood production company is part of an Indian film. I just remember hearing from producers in India that the reason they want to be in business with the studios is they want to use the Hollywood infrastructure to get on a lot more screens all over the world. They don't need help with all the Indian areas; they can do that. India would love if a movie is put out here in the US on 2,000 screens, have it open up on a Friday, have the trailers on TV, but I don't know if that is Hollywood's agenda. It goes against the other films that are out. Hollywood has its own conversations internally of where does this go, who is the audience for these film? I think they just kind of have to iron out the kinks.

This isn't the subject of the thread, but he makes a good point here.  Saawariya was produced by Sony, but in the US it didn't get any wider release than OSO, which was released at the same time and trounced it at the box office.  Of course, never bet against SRK...

[dustdevil]

Came across this article and thought it was germane to our discussion:  http://bollyspice.com/view.php/6518-hollywood-talent-manager-jai-khanna-talks-hollywood-and-india.html

I think many of us came to similar conclusions but it's interesting to hear it from a Hollywood insider who just happens to be Indian-American. I especially like his description of Irrfan Khan's approach.

That was a great interview. I like that Khanna has a respect for Indian film industries, but is also really clear-eyed about Hollywood, and what HW stands to gain from partnering with Indian industries.

ETA: I also think his idea about having a BW star appear in a ensemble film is a pretty good strategy, I could totally see Aishwarya or Hrithik in a "Love Actually" or "Valentine's Day" type thing.  They don't have to carry the film (acting-wise or marketing-wise), but they are still playing a role equal to the HW stars, so no loss of stature/face.

[Prem Rogue]

LA, I will buy your vegan cupcakes today, and in 2012 if you win I will mail them to you   

[bluemay]

That was a great interview. I like that Khanna has a respect for Indian film industries, but is also really clear-eyed about Hollywood, and what HW stands to gain from partnering with Indian industries.

ETA: I also think his idea about having a BW star appear in a ensemble film is a pretty good strategy, I could totally see Aishwarya or Hrithik in a "Love Actually" or "Valentine's Day" type thing.  They don't have to carry the film (acting-wise or marketing-wise), but they are still playing a role equal to the HW stars, so no loss of stature/face.

I agree about the ensemble strategy.  Hrithik would be good in an X-Men type movie (action and possible sequels) or Love Actually as you mentioned.

[bolly.fan]

I know I said in the past that it isn't likely that it will happen anytime soon, and some of the posts had reflected my feelings on the subject. I do hope that one day someone does make a breakthrough in this regard.

There is one possibility that a breakthrough could be made and I am thinking about a futuristic or sci-fi style of show where diversity in the cast is the central theme. That way all the actors are on a reasonably equal footing and can shine on their own. For example, Naveen Andrews (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naveen_Andrews) a remarkable actor and played many rolls including one of my favourites on the Lost TV series (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lost_%28TV_series). Though I don't recall him in any BW production (not including here B&P), and it would be interesting to see if he could make a transition to BW productions now that he has success in HW.

[Sanyogita]

I think that Frieda Pinto could represent a breakthrough for Indian women in Hollywood. She's starred in one of the year's biggest hits- Rise of the Planet of the Apes and in Immortals, which is doing quite well. She's pretty high profile right now, and if she has a successful solo film I think that would have the effect of making it possible for more women who look like her to get TV and movie roles.

But as for Desi stars, I think their chances of entering Hollywoof are minmal. Save for Arjun Rampal and Hrithik Roshan, none of the men fit the Hollywood conventions of handsome, and this coupled with their ethnicity (Hollywood takes to foreign men much less kindly than it does to exotic looking women) would mean they definitely have no chance of making it big in Hollywood.

 Most of the current Bollywood actresses can't really act, and a lot of them are actually Caucasian or partly Caucasian women who came to Bollywood after trying to make it in the showbiz in the West and failing even on a very basic level- Nargis Farkhi missed out on being selected as a contestant for America's Next Top Model twice, Jaquelines Fernandez could not make it as a TV actress and Lisa Haydon tried to get into the model circuit in Australia but could not.

Of the few Desi actresses who can act, I've always said that Priyanka Chopra has cross over potential, and she seems to have got an opportunity now with her upcoming pop album, which if successful, could lead to film offers. I also think that Chitrangadha Singh has a lot of cross over potential- she is ridiculously beautiful, has a great screen presence and is quite talented.

I think Deepika Padukone has potential too- she's not the best actress, but she's adequate, and she is so beautiful and charismatic. I couldn't see her getting good, substantial roles though. I could see her being one of the women in an action movie or a Bond Girl or something though- which might not be so far-fetched considering that Hollywood has started to look at India as a possible setting for these international thrillers and heist films.

[Sanyogita]

As for why Bollywood stars would want to move to the west- I do not think there is any motivation for the male stars. Top male BW stars earn almost as much as top male HW stars, and they have it a lot easier in Bollywood- the hero worship, awards for the most banal of performances, demanding and personally choosing hot heroines as co-stars no matter how much older or less handsome they are- these are not privileges that a top HW star is afforded.

For actresses though, I think Hollywood would be an attractive prospect, regardless of how successful are in Bollywood, for obvious reasons. Also, considering that most BW actresses fit the Hollywood conventions of beauty, it would be easier for them to realise these aspirations than for the male stars.

Also, I do not really think that India has made an impact on popular American movie culture, even minimally, the way a lot of other countries have. There is SDM of course, but it's not the kind of film where you can easily relate to the protagonists. And Freida has been very careful to be perceived as international by the media and avoid referencing her Indian heritage too much- in an effort to
avoid being pigeon-holed no doubt. Her name does not sound Indian, and I do not really think too many people associate her with India the way they do Sofia Vergara to Columbia or Penelope Cruz to Spain.

I think that one possible way for the men to make it in Hollywood would be through the hipster rom-com that becomes a sleeper hit model. Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Antonio Yelchin do not fit the Hollywood idea of handsome, but they won audiences over with their adorability. If Kiran Rao or some one like her decides to direct a similar film about Bandra hipsters, or hipster Indians living in Shoreditch in London and it became a big hit on the festival circuit, I could see actors like Prateik Babbar and Farhan Akhtar charming the audiences. Obviously, the possibility of such a film are very remote, but I can dream, can't I?   

I think if some one made a successful mainstream HW film with Freida playing a non-stereotypical Indian girl, it would open up opportunities for Bollywood actresses. An action movie that takes place in India, featuring established American action stars and Freida perhaps, or a cross-cultural romantic comedy featuring Freida and a male Hollywood star, something like that.

[odadune]

I don't know of an Indian-born actor who's made it in Hollywood since "Sabu" (can't remember his real name), there is a notable case of an Indian-born actor entering European pop culture: Kabir Bedi in the Sandokan miniseries back in the seventies.  Visually, he belonged to the Hrithik/Freida model of someone who doesn't fit people's stereotypes of what particular ethnicities "ought" to look like: very tall, green-eyed, unclassifiable accent in English.  I don't know that I'd call him a great actor, but he had real screen presence in his prime, more than you would think from his cheesy Bollywood villain roles.

Mission Impossible 4 and the next James Bond both seem to have a Southeast Asia angle and Mission Impossible has Anil, fwiw.

[corbie]

I saw Anil Kapoor in the trailer at the theater for Mission Impossible. Not enough of a draw to watch the film however 

[odadune]

I saw Anil Kapoor in the trailer at the theater for Mission Impossible. Not enough of a draw to watch the film however 

I despise Tom Cruise but I enjoy spy movies; I think I've ended up seeing all the previous Mission Impossible movies at second-run theaters.  Not as good as the tv series though.

[moviemystk]

The hubris, oh how dare you.
PR Young Lad, I hereby challenge you to a vet. Bet.
A huge public bet--we're in early 2011 right now. If, by the end of 2012, a huge BW actor hasn't signed a good role in a big mainstream HW movie, then I will mail you 2 Blu-Ray SI DVD of your choice for Christmas 2012.
If however, one of them does sign on the dotted line for such a thing, then you must mail me a box of the finest vegan chocolate or vegan pastries that you can find in Texas. I want gourmet stuff with frosting and sprinkles and the works.
I already have to pay Leaf $1000 one day for some poll she rolled out once where I thought my darling Prabhas was going to win and he didn't even make it to semi-final or something So I can lose again, I think, if I have to, no problem. BUT I WON'T. Because SRK or Rani or someone is going to pull through and pull it off and sign something good before the end of the next year Hahaha. But seriously.

Well Amitabh Bachchan has a small role in the remake of "The Great Gatsby"     You may have won the bet

[los angeles]

The hubris, oh how dare you.
PR Young Lad, I hereby challenge you to a vet. Bet.
A huge public bet--we're in early 2011 right now. If, by the end of 2012, a huge BW actor hasn't signed a good role in a big mainstream HW movie, then I will mail you 2 Blu-Ray SI DVD of your choice for Christmas 2012.
If however, one of them does sign on the dotted line for such a thing, then you must mail me a box of the finest vegan chocolate or vegan pastries that you can find in Texas. I want gourmet stuff with frosting and sprinkles and the works.
I already have to pay Leaf $1000 one day for some poll she rolled out once where I thought my darling Prabhas was going to win and he didn't even make it to semi-final or something So I can lose again, I think, if I have to, no problem. BUT I WON'T. Because SRK or Rani or someone is going to pull through and pull it off and sign something good before the end of the next year Hahaha. But seriously.

^ I will take that bet.  By the end of 2012 I'm sure the Enthiran Blu-Ray will finally be out    However, it has to be a big Indian star, so Irfan Khan in Spider-man doesn't count.

^ Agreed. Okay. IT'S ON.
We've got till Dec, 31st, 2012. We'll see who goes down in flames, the Texas PR or the Los Angeles lunatic. You've got the youth and brains on your side, but I've got delusional optimism on mine, and I've seen that trump everything in my hometown.
Start looking for a vegan pastry shop my friend. Hahaha.

[Sorry Mods, this is tangentially off-topic, please feel free to delete these posts if needed, no worries]

Okay! Haha
Couldn't find this thread but now I have locate it woot woot:D

We've got approximately ten months before this PR versus LA bet will conclude *loud drums and dramatic tension*

[BW people plz get your act together and make a move so I don't lose this thing otherwise I am going to get all mad up in here hehe:p]

If I forget about this thread, I'll leave it to you to revive it two years later 

^ I am revive it now, and the clock is ticking, we've got till Decelmber...we'll see what happens, and remember vegan vanilla frosting with sprinkles (strawberry or vanilla cake inside) and I promise to post a pic on your FB wall of myself stuffing my face with these things after SRK or Kareena or Kajol or Farhan or Hrithik or Priyanka or whoever shows up in some popcorn HW movie

[Prem Rogue]

Great Gatsby is set to release December 25th, 2012. Not sure how big Amitabh's role is in it, but we'll see.

We've got approximately ten months before this PR versus LA bet will conclude *loud drums and dramatic tension*

*cue Ajay-Atul score* 

[Dariya]

Prem Rogue and Los Angeles, I just read through this forum and you guys crack me up! 

I may be a cynic but aside from beautiful, "exotic"-looking women in insubstantial roles (i.e. roles where they're not likely to be nominated for any acting awards) and Asian martial artists that can be simultaneously glorified and belittled, I don't think HW has any interest in casting foreigners.  BW people have always struck me as a little clueless when it comes to their relationship with HW.  While HW (and America) barely knows that BW exists, BWers have a fixation on HW to the extent that when asked by Karan Johar who the most beautiful actresses are they almost exclusively name off HW actresses; and most BW actors and producers clearly watch more American films than they do Indian ones (if they watch Indian movies at all.  I remember SRK once saying he doesn't).

That being said I've always thought Deepika could "make it" in HW (as a sex symbol kind of actress at least).  All the goras I know who have seen her think she's just the hottest thing ever.  I saw Housefull with 2 Brits and they asked me for a list of her best movies.   

I don't really care to see my dear Bollywood actors in any crossover or Western productions.  To me Hollywood is at a really low point right now, while Bollywood (though at a morally low point, maybe) is as good as ever.  Also, re: physical requirements.  I always thought BW was more keen on physical perfection than HW... ?  I mean, what actors are big right now? An aging Tom Cruise, Leo, Matt Damon, Brad Pitt.  And a bunch of skinny young nerds in those teen comedies.  And creepy Robert Pattinson.  I don't think there's a shortage of attractive, reasonably aged actors in Bollywood right now.  But maybe I just have a different idea of what's "attractive".     

[Sanyogita]

Big in Hollywood right now: Ryan Gosling, Micheal Fassbender, Chris Hemsworth, Chris Evans, Taylor Lautner, Bradley Cooper? They all seem pretty physically perfect to me.  That's not to say that I find them all attractive: I'll take a Farhan Akhtar or an Abhishek Bachchan over a Chris Evans or a Taylor Lautner. But I do think that HW is far more demanding of physical perfection amongst it's actors than BW while BW is far more demanding of physical perfection from it's lead actresses, when compared to HW.

And while I do think that Deepika is insanely gorgeous and she could make it as an exotic sex object, I don't think that she will ever make it big as a HW actress. Americans also think that Megan Fox and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley are the hottest women ever, and neither of them have signed a single big film after Transformers. That's the kind of role I could see Deepika getting in HW- a Transformers heroine or a Bond girl or some such.