The public might have often seen ‘gore’ people in the Bollywood films, but it’s very rarely discussed Bollywood celebrities featuring in Hollywood. Some of the veteran actors, such as Om Puri, Amitabh Bachchan and others made it to the Hollywood industry and performed well even there. Let’s look at the those Bollywood celebrities in Hollywood and their journey of taking their career to the next level in the West:
Irrfan Khan
One of the most renowned and evergreen actors this world has ever witnessed made his place in Bollywood and somewhere in Hollywood too. Born and brought up in Rajasthan, the legendary actor began his journey by doing a few stage performances in Jaipur. Later on, he joined the National School of Drama in New Delhi. He even worked as an Air Conditioner repairing man, wherein he got a chance to visit the home of veteran actor Rajesh Khanna and repair their AC.
He made his debut in Bollywood with the film “Salaam Bombay!” with a few minor roles in it. After carving his name in the Indian cinema, he began looking for something new. Asif Kapadia’s film “The Warrior” in 2001 gave the actor a flip in his career and experience of the West that opened new arenas for him. Though his Indian co-stars criticized his decision to act in Hollywood, he never turned himself down. The actor began his Hollywood journey with the super hit movie “Slumdog Millionaire” in 2008. He even bagged the Screen Actors Guild Award for this film. His acting received so many appraisals in the Hollywood industry, that he received his next film “Acid Factory” in 2009. After that, there was no looking back.
Irrfan played some pivotal roles with the most successful actors in the industry. His works in the West include The Amazing Spider-Man, Life of Pi, The Namesake, Inferno, Jurassic World, etc. Unfortunately, after his last Bollywood movie “Angrezi Medium”, we lost the actor. The actor died in 2020 due to a neuroendocrine tumour. May his soul rest in peace.
Priyanka Chopra Jonas
The Miss World of 2000 crown holder makes sure she leaves an irreplaceable mark everywhere she goes. The actress, after doing various amazing performances in Bollywood, from Jhilmil in Barfi to Kashibai in Bajirao Mastani, decided to enter the Hollywood industry as well. The Miss World made her debut in the West with the film “Quantico”. The reason behind her joining this industry was her manager Anjula Acharia’s constant persuasion and hard work. She rose to fame after she performed in the National Football League (NFL). Priyanka soon started appearing on a lot of shows, such as The Ellen DeGeneres Show and Jimmy Kimmel Live! and others. She even gave her first appearance on American television in 2015 with Joshua Safran’s Quantico. The show ran for four seasons, which made Priyanka even more popular in the West.
She made it big in the American industry with her films, such as The Matrix Resurrections, Baywatch, We Can Be Heroes (II), Isn’t It Romantic and many more. Adding a cherry on the top, Chopra married an American singer-actor, Nick Jonas in 2018. Their wedding left everyone struck with beautiful looks and grand locations. This lavish wedding definitely has set everyone’s bars high enough. Though the actress is currently not pursuing many Indian projects, there is some interesting stuff lined up for her in Hollywood.
Anil Kapoor
Bollywood’s Mr. India has entertained us for years and would continue to do so till eternity. His non-ageing looks still make girls go ‘awww’ over him. This 65-year-old fellow doesn’t look any older than a man in his 30s. He gave some of the most amazing masterpieces in Bollywood, such as Mr. India, Welcome, Nayak: The Real Hero, Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga, Dil Dhadakne Do, and many more. After leaving such a deep imprint on the hearts of Indians, this heartthrob sets on a journey to conquer the ‘firangi’ hearts as well.
The actor with a career of 4 decades old, set his foot in the west with the film “Slumdog Millionaire”. After the success of this movie, he was offered a role in an American television show “24”. The film “Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol”, raised the actor to fame in the Hollywood industry. The actor made himself global fame after doing such roles. Though the actor didn’t act in many Hollywood films or series, he did receive appreciation for his work in those few movies. He even won the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture for his debut American film.
Deepika Padukone
DP, one of the most talented yet gorgeous actors of Bollywood features in the list of the nation’s most popular personalities. In 2018, she was named one of the 100 most influential celebrities in the world. Born in Denmark to a well known Badminton player, Prakash Padukone and Ujjala Padukone, she was fond of playing badminton. Her career after dropping sports began with a few advertisements and music videos. Farah Khan chose her for the role of ‘Shanti’ in the blockbuster film “Om Shanti Om ” opposite Shahrukh Khan. She rose to fame and bagged various projects.
Deepika acted in some greatest movies of all time, such as Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, Chennai Express, Chandni Chowk to China, Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela, etc. The actress married her frequent co-star Ranveer Singh in 2018. They both make a good couple together on screen in films, such as Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela, Bajirao Mastani, Padmaavat and 83. The actress even believes in philanthropic works. She founded the Live Love Laugh Foundation, which creates mental health awareness in India. She also participates in stage shows for social issues, such as depression and feminism.
Padukone soon turned to the west with her debut film “XXX: Return of Xander Cage” opposite the superstar Vin Diesel. The actress was appreciated by the critics in the Hollywood industry for her role in the movie. Alongside big celebrities like Jeff Bezos, and Barack Obama, she became the first Indian to win the Global Achiever’s Award for Best Actress. She is all set for her second film in Hollywood with her very own production house, Ka Productions. Deepika will star in an upcoming cross-cultural romantic comedy, developed by STXfilms.
Tabu
Tabassum Fatima Hashmi, did you recognize her? Let me help you, she is none other than the famous Bollywood actress, Tabu. Regarded as one of the most successful and accomplished actors of Bollywood, she played various roles in the industry from a police officer in Drishyam to a murderer in Andhadhun. Her rumoured affair with her favourite co-star Ajay Devgn rose her to fame. They did various films together, such as Golmaal Again, De De Pyaar De, etc. The actress was honoured with the fourth highest civilian award in the country, Padma Shri. Born in a Hyderabadi Muslim family, she soon had to go through the pain of separating her parents. She made her debut with the film “Hum Naujawan” in the Bollywood industry. She bagged various films after her debuts, such as Hum Saath Saath Hain, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 and many others.
Tabu’s entry into the West cinema was a quite smooth one. She debuted in “The Namesake” in 2006, for which she was lauded by almost every critic globally. Her second film “Life Of Pi’ in 2012 took her career even to a further level. The movie became a blockbuster hit across the globe and won four Oscars. She wishes to work again in Hollywood with the biggest filmmakers in the industry. She jokes about herself as spoilt for choice as she began with the best filmmakers. Also, Tabu fi9nds herself lucky to work on such projects.
Ali Fazal
Popular as ‘Guddu Bhaiya’ in Mirzapur 2, the actor got his position in Bollywood with films, such as Happy Bhag Jayegi, Bang Baaja Baaraat, Sonali Cable, etc. He currently dates the actress Richa Chadha and their wedding got postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
After struggling and making a position in Indian cinema, he opted to enter Hollywood as well. He played a cameo role in the seventh instalment of the “Fast and Furious” series. The actor received various other projects in the West after hitting the screens in his debut film. He acted in the movie “Victoria & Abdul”, which was lauded by everyone. He recently appeared in the film “Death on the Nile” opposite Gal Gadot. The actor is currently working on his next Hollywood project “Kandahar”. With so much in hand right now with his Bollywood upcoming projects too, such as Fukrey 3 and Mirzapur 3, the actor will surely achieve a lot.
There are many other celebrities, who played roles in foreign cinema. Also, there are many web shows as well which feature Indian actors in the lead roles, such as Never Have I Ever and its other two seasons. The Bollywood celebrities in Hollywood finally made their way. Let’s appreciate those who made it big to Hollywood and kept the Indian flag high even over there.
Also Read: https://rbollywood.com/top-10-bollywood-celebrities-who-saved-their-eggs-to-be-mother-in-future/