Hollywood hangover

A few years ago, Aishwarya Rai enhanced her reputation to that of an international star after being cast in Hollywood flicks like The Mistress of Spices and Pink Panther 2.
When we were about to write her achievements off as a one off case, Mallika Sherawat was called to make her Hollywood debut with The Myth, followed by Unveiled. Other Indian film stars like Akshay Kumar, Salman Khan, Amitabh Bachchan and Shilpa Shetty soon followed suit, making it a trend.But that���������������������������s not what is causing excitement in the industry circles today. On the contrary, it���������������������������s the reverse theory that seems to have done the trick.
Acclaimed Hollywood actors are now being a part of Indian films. And mind you, not the blink-and-miss roles. Proof? Akshay Kumar-Kareena Kapoor starrer Kambakkht Ishq saw Denise Richards, Brandon Routh, Sylvester Stallone and Holly Valance making a cameo appearance. And if reports are to be believed, Oscar winner Ben Kingsley will play a math professor in Teen Patti while Kate Winslet will be a part of Aamir Khan���������������������������s project, tentatively titled Toba Tek Singh. The chemistry between Mexican actress B������������������rbara Mori and Hrithik Roshan in Kites is already the talk of gossip mills.
And in Kollywood, two films that hit the screen in recent times ��������������������������� Achchamundu! Achchamundu! (AA) and Peraanmai ��������������������������� had established Hollywood actors playing pivotal roles. While Emmy award winner John Shea played the pedophile in AA, Roland Kickinger plays the ���������������������������negative��������������������������� element in Peraanmai.
Anees Jeeva, who roped in Anna, a Russian actress and model, for Dhaam Dhoom, says, ���������������������������More than a trend, I would say that the west opening up to Indian cinema is positive growth. The very fact that a director is able to conceive a script with foreigners in mind speaks volumes about our development.���������������������������
But, why is it that Indian filmmakers feel the need to cast Hollywood actors? Arun Vaidyanathan, director of AA, says, ���������������������������Since I decided to do a film which is set in America and the Robertson character I created is an American, I wanted an established American actor to play the role. I came across John Shea and when we met, I told myself ���������������������������Here is my Robertson!������������������������������������������������������
Similar is the case with Roland Kickinger. Director S P Jananathan, in an earlier interview had said, ���������������������������In Peraanmai, Kickinger plays an international terrorist who infiltrates the country through a forest. I needed a convincing face and Roland fit the bill.���������������������������
However, Venkat Prabhu, who was earlier contemplating casting Jessica Alba in his film Goa, says, ���������������������������I wanted Jessica Alba not only because the script demanded it, but also because she���������������������������s an international face.��������������������������� He adds, ���������������������������Sylvester Stallone and Kylie Minogue are a part of Bollywood projects because Hindi films have a wider audience. But, for a regional film, it will take time to rope in priority stars. But that day isn���������������������������t far.���������������������������
According to Venkat, the budget is a major constraint when it comes to casting Hollywood actors in a regional project. ���������������������������We weren���������������������������t able to work out a proper budget for Jessica Alba and hence, roped in another actress, Julie Fine. And now, because of date problems, we are going ahead with Neleine Mary, an Australian actress,��������������������������� he says.
But, Arun concludes on a positive note, ���������������������������One good thing about Hollywood is if you go with the right script and credentials, stars are open to new ideas irrespective of budgets! Your upper hand is directly proportional to the intensity of your script!���������������������������