International directors have come to India and worked with Indian artistes in their critically acclaimed projects. Some of these actors have even gone on to do quite a few big Hollywood and European movies later on. But why is it that barring a few, Bollywood has largely ignored these actors while casting them in Hindi movies?
Irrfan, of course, remains an exception who has been welcomed with open arms in Bollywood even while his international career is going great guns. But look at Freida Pinto's Bollywood career. The actor has returned to India again after "Slumdog Millionaire" catapulted her to fame in the West. This time around, she has been shooting for Michael Winterbottom's "Trishna" in India. But, Freida, who has already worked with the likes of Woody Allen in "You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger" and Julian Schnabel in "Miral", is yet to sign on an Indian movie. In fact, in an interview in The New York Times, Freida has said, "I have done no film in India, so it's very hard for people to accept me as an actor there. They don't really know who I am or they probably don't take me that seriously".
Rushita Singh, who played Tulsi alongside Julia Roberts in " Eat Pray Love" is yet to sign on any new Bollywood film. She says, "Be it for an ad, a film or a stage performance, actors give their best shot. Also Freida and my international debuts were offered to us because we best suited the roles. Similarly, when there will be something that suits us best here, we will surely be seen in a Bollywood movie. Sometimes, dates don't work out. There are a lot of things responsible for doing or not doing a movie." So, does a Hollywood debut still force an actor to start from scratch while Bollywood is concerned? "There are people who get the best start possible. Their debut films are blockbuster hits. But, that's about it all. It's not about Hollywood or Bollywood," Rushita adds.
Priyanka Bose, who acted in Italo Spinelli's "Gangor" and even walked the red carpet at the Rome International Film Festival, did a cameo in "Guzaarish". But the big Bollywood break has still not come her way. "Perhaps, offers haven't come my way since I am supposedly not conventionally pretty for film-makers. I know the audience is also ready to experience actors who don't cater to a certain stereotype. Perhaps, independent film-makers in India will be more keen on casting actors who have made international debuts than hardcore Bollywood directors," she says.
Anand Tiwari, who had Naomi Watts as his co-star in Doug Liman's "Fair Game", says, "Casting for films for Hollywood and Bollywood happens differently. Casting directors in Hollywood have a big role to play in getting particular actors for parts in films. In India, in most cases, the director and producer approach you personally. So, in the end, getting cast in Hollywood or Bollywood is about who you know or what work of yours has been seen by whom." Ask him if his role in "FG" has made any difference to anyone in Bollywood and he says, "It has made no difference to me as an actor to get work in Bollywood. "Udaan" and "Aisha" have generated more work."
Perhaps, Bollywood is a lot more insular a space. Whether an Indian actor courts Ang Lee or Michael Winterbottom, seems like Bollywood will only abide by rules set by itself and for itself.
