International cinema is the powerful new trend right now. The global audience is sharing an ever-increasing enthusiasm formovies outside Hollywood. Streaming services like Netflix, with theirvast libraries of foreign-language films, are credited with a large part in this phenomenon. Intent on producing local content to keep their international customers happy, perCollider, they have managed to convert their American audience to foreign-language films as well.
The Indian film industry, in particular, is turning up as one of the major sources of international hits. TheSouth Indian movieRRRhas attracted a global spotlight on Indian filmmaking cultures and on its regional stars, N. T. Rama Rao Jr. and Ram Charan. All of this simply means that we will likely be seeing more collaborations between Hollywood and Indian talent. Of course, this tradition of exchanging acting talents has been going on for years.
In recent decades, Indian actors with domestic renown have captivated the western minds with memorable Hollywood castings. Some of these performances have been as supporting roles, while others have been as leading characters. All the same, these Indian actors have caught the eye of western viewers with their singular charm. With the increasing popularity of foreign cinema in the English-speaking world, it is well worth taking a second look at these appearances. Here are 10 Indian actors who have captured the western imagination with memorable Hollywood roles.
10Amitabh Bachchan
Amitabh Bachchanhas held an unequivocal reign over Bollywood through the course of his five-decade-long career. Affectionately known as “Big B,” the 79-year-old Bollywood veteran has also earned other names such as the Shahanshah of Bollywood, which translates to “Emperor of Bollywood.” Bachchan had a brief appearance in the 2013 filmThe Great Gatsbyas the shady underworld businessman Meyer Wolfsheim. His appearance in the film is nothing short of charismatic, and he properly embodied the sense of mystery and wickedness that defines the character. Leonardo DiCaprio even praised him as an actor, calling him “astoundingly talented”.
9Irrfan Khan
Irrfan Khanis considered as the most well-known Indian actor in Hollywood. Although passed away prematurely in 2020 at the age of 53, he left behind a large body of work that includes many notable Hollywood roles. The trajectory of his career seems quite appropriate since he received his big break afterThe Warrior, a British film that saw an international release. He has appeared in a number of critically acclaimed Hollywood titles includingThe Namesake,Slumdog Millionaire, andTheDarjeeling Limited.
8Ali Fazal
Best recognized as the ferocious Guddu Bhaiyaa in the Amazon Prime seriesMirzapur,Ali Fazalhas carved his own identity in Hollywood cinema. He gained recognition in Bollywood through the massively successful movie3 Idiots. Most of his performances have been in non-blockbuster Bollywood films likeFukreyandMilan Talkies. However, his boyish charm has found quite a few takers in Hollywood, with roles inFurious 7andDeath On The Nile. In 2017, he starred inVictoria & Abdulopposite Judie Dench. Most recently, he has scored a major role in the upcoming Gerard Butler-starrerKandahar. It seems like Fazal is on his way to replacing the late Irrfan Khan as the most recognized Indian face in Hollywood.
A major star of the regional Tamil cinema,Dhanushhas gained nation-wide popularity by performing in a number of Bollywood hits as well. Despite being a product of the nepotism culture of South Indian cinema, Dhanush has amassed a major fan base through his compelling film performances. He is also a talented singer, songwriter, and director, having earned nominations or awards in all these roles. He was recently scooped up by the Russo Brothers forThe Gray Man, where he played the role of a world-class assassin. The Russo Brothers praised his camera presence and have even teased a solo movie for his character, as perFirstpost.
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6Dimple Kapadia
Veteran actressDimple Kapadiahas an established reputation for taking on complex portrayals of women, going far back into her early roles. Despite taking on fewer roles in later years, she has continued to stay relevant as she continues to choose her roles with great care. Her extensive work in arthouse cinema has also led many filmmakers to craft roles specifically for her. She made her Hollywood debut with Christopher Nolan’s 2020 filmTenet, as the arms dealer Priya Singh. Her instinctive acting style fit well with the tense, thrilling tone of the film.
5Aishwarya Rai
Aishwarya Raibegan her life in the public eye as the winner of the 1994 Miss World. Often referred to as the most beautiful woman in the world, she proved to be a capable actress. She has performed in some iconic Bollywood films of the 2000s, includingMohabbateinandDevdas, which received a BAFTA nomination for Best Foreign Language Film. She performed in a number of Hollywood films during this decade, includingMistress Of Spices,The Last Legion, andThe Pink Panther 2.
4Anil Kapoor
As a member of Bollywood’s Kapoor lineage,Anil Kapooris considered part of the so-called Bollywood royalty. Over the course of a 40-year career, he has established himself as an icon and also reinvented himself with time. Starting off as a Bollywood pretty boy, he has taken more gritty roles with time. His broad range and striking screen presence made him a good fit for Hollywood roles. The west’s first introduction to Anil Kapoor was throughSlumdog Millionaire, in which he played the host of the reality show. He has also appeared inMission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol, and the action drama series24.
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3Anupam Kher
67-year-oldAnupam Kheris a Bollywood staple and a prolific actor, with over 500 films to his name. Capable of slipping into his roles with effortless grace, he is often seen portraying the role of benign paternal figures. One can even note a similar trend in his Hollywood roles. His subtle, tempered performances have made him a go-to figure for many Hollywood films. Some notable English-language films featuring his performances includeThe Big Sick,Silver Linings Playbook, andA Family Man.
2Freida Pinto
Freida Pintobecame an overnight global star with the success ofSlumdog Millionaire, in which she plays Jamal’s love interest Latika. Although she was born and raised in India, the success ofSlumdogcatapulted her to a career in the Hollywood film industry. Her immediate follow-up to that movie was the Woody Allen filmYou Will Meet A Tall Dark Stranger. Her roles have been spread across diverse film genres, from the major sci-fi filmRise of the Planet of the Apes, the art dramaKnight of Cups, and the neo-western action filmBlunt Force Trauma.
1Priyanka Chopra
Priyanka Choprais one of the few Indian actors on this list who have completely “broken through” into Hollywood. The former Miss World showcased a taste for experimental roles in Bollywood, performing in films such asWhat’s Your Raashee?where she performs 12 distinct roles, representing the 12 horoscope signs. In 2015, she signed on to play the role of Alex Parrish in the action thrillerQuantico. Her performance in the American series was critically lauded, and opened the way for many Hollywood film roles. Her performance as the antagonist in the 2017 movieBaywatchwas singled out byIGNas being the best among the cast members. She is currently signed on to a number of major Hollywood productions, including the Amazon Prime seriesCitadeland the action filmCowboy Ninja Viking.
