Bollywood Cross Over

Bollywood- the film industry of India, continues to strive and compete with Hollywood. In fact, the majority of actors in Bollywood hate the term "Bollywood".  They prefer to be called "The Indian Film Industry". The exposure of Bollywood films to the global audience is growing by leaps and bounds.

From Germany to the US.....to far away Finland, these men and women manage to make Bollywood a very important part of their lives.

German-based Birgit Pestal, author of a book called Fascination Bollywood, analyses the impact Bollywood has had on the region. Pestal estimates that there are 50,000 viewers of Bollywood films in Austria and Switzerland and one million viewers in Germany.

Interestingly enough, Bollywood has produced many movies in which the theme, concept and storyline was replicated from Hollywood.  Regardless of the global reach of Bollywood movies, many of the A-list actors and actresses have made attempts to star in Hollywood movies.  Yet, their transition or entry to Hollywood was not successful. 

Bachchan with Maquire and DiCaprio in the Great Gatsby

Mega star, Amitabh Bachchan a.k.a Big B, has acted in “The Great Gatsby” which starred Leonardo DiCaprio in the lead role. The angry young man played the character of a Jewish gambler Meyer Wolfshiem. The movie also stars Tobey Maguire, Carey Mulligan and Joel Edgerton in strong roles. It was a decent hit..Bachchan had a tiny role..

Mallika Sherawat is one of those stars whose news of Hollywood acting made quite a buzz in the town. Famous for controversies, she has acted in many Hollywood movies and has even played a lead role in one. She acted in a movie called Hisss, in which she played the lead role and character of a snake woman. The movie also stars Irrfan Khan. She acted in movies like Politics of Love and The Myth as well. Hollywood Movies: The Myth (2005) Hisss (2010) Politics of Love (2011)

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan ( Daugther in law to Big B)  is one of the most beautiful women in the world and has acted in many Hollywood movies. She played the character of criminology expert Sonia Solandres in Pink Panther 2. In “The Last Legion”, she played the role of martial arts expert, Mira. She played the role of a Punjabi Woman in the movie “Provoked” (2006). Other Hollywood movies which feature Aishwarya Rai Bachchan are “The Mistress of Spices” (2005) and “Bride and Prejudice” (2004). Hollywood Movies: Bride and Prejudice (2004) The Mistress of Spices (2005) Provoked: A True Story (2006) The Last Legion (2007) The Pink Panther 2 (2009)

Anil Kapoor made headlines when he acted in movies like Slumdog Millionaire and Mission Impossible. The actor even shared the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture. He is more famous for playing a major role in English T.V series “24”. He is also the first Indian actor to be invited for a special segment, “In conversation”, at the Toronto International Fil Festival. Hollywood Movies: Slumdog Millionaire (2008) Mission Impossible – Ghost Protocol (2011)

Om Puri is considered as one of the finest actors in Bollywood which is the reason that he has acted in so many Hollywood Movies. His Hollywood movies include “City of Joy” (1992), “My Son the Fanatic” (1997), “East is East” (1999) and “Wolf” (1994). Hollywood Movies: City of Joy (1992) Wolf (1994) The Ghost and the Darkness (1996) My Son the Fanatic (1997) East is East (1999) Charlie Wilson’s War (2007) The Hundred-Foot Journey (2014)