THE FOREIGN INFLUX
As Chinese and Japanese actresses prepare to work in Hindi films, here’s a look at the fresh lot of foreign women making their way into Bollywood
This Eid (June 23), moviegoers won’t just get to see Salman Khan and film-maker Kabir Khan’s third collaboration (after Ek Tha Tiger; 2012 and Bajrangi Bhaijaan; 2015) in Tubelight. They’ll also be able to witness a new kind of partnership: an Indo- Chinese alliance that sees Salman starring alongside Chinese actress, Zhu Zhu in the film.
FROM THE FAR EAST
According to Kabir, Tubelight’s makers held extensive casting calls across various cities, including Beijing, Los Angeles and Hong Kong to find an actress who could star opposite Salman. “Zhu Zhu was somebody I liked immediately, as she has a strong screen presence, and is a fantastic actress. Salman and she will make an interesting on-screen couple,” says Kabir.
In addition to being a Mandarin pop star and a top VJ for MTV China, Zhu Zhu has also starred alongside Hollywood A-listers such as Tom Hanks (in Cloud Atlas; 2012) and Russell Crowe (in The Man With the Iron Fists; 2012).
But this trend of collaborations has travelled further East: in the works is an Indo-Japan co-production, titled Love In Tokyo, that will be co-produced by Imtiaz Ali
and directed by his brother, Arif Ali. The movie will have an Indian protagonist and a Japanese heroine, and as a contemporary love story, it will be shot “almost entirely” in Japan, starting in the second half of this year.
SIMILAR CULTURES
While a number of actresses from countries such as Brazil, UK, USA and Australia have worked in Bollywood in the past, Asian actresses have hardly made their way into Hindi films. One of the few instances include Thai actress Lena Christensen, who starred opposite Shreyas Talpade in Nagesh Kukunoor’s Bombay to Bangkok (2008).
Imtiaz explains: “We in the Asian countries are quite alike. Although we [people in Asian countries] eat western food and wear western clothes, our values are very desi and eastern. So, there are a lot of similarities [between the cultures], but the languages are different. Also, we can relate to the same emotions.”
The actors, though, seem kicked about it. “I was deeply touched by the spirit of the film, and I am thrilled to have this opportunity to work with Salman Khan. Kabir is not only a brilliant film-maker, but through his films, he always talks about humanity and love and ordinary people’s lives, which everyone in the world can relate to,” says Zhu Zhu.
Besides Chinese and Japanese actors, 2017 will also see a number of Pakistani actresses make it to India’s silver-screen. Mahira Khan debuted with Shah Rukh Khan in Raees, and Sajal Ali will soon be seen working alongside Sridevi in Mom. Also, Saba Qamar is set to make her debut alongside Irrfan Khan in the Saket Chaudhary-directed, Hindi Medium. Also, it’s rumoured that Austrian actor and Playboy model Ronja Forcher will have a small role in Salman and Katrina Kaif ’s Tiger Zinda Hai.
Reportedly, Michael Jackson’s daughter, Paris Jackson will work with Ali Fazal on an English film, which has been inspired by Bollywood musicals. Richa Chadha is apparently also a part of the same film.
A GLOBAL TOUCH
While experts admit that roping in foreign actresses lends a “global feel” to the industry, they also believe that unless big names are involved, it won’t make “any difference” to the Indian box office. “Regardless of any number of films a foreign actress might have starred in, she will remain a newcomer for Indian viewers,” says trade analyst Amod Mehra. However, Amar Butala of Salman Khan’s production company (which is producing Tubelight) feels an actress like Zhu Zhu brings “a large fan base both in China and the US”. “And we hope to reach them as well with a mainstream Bollywood film,” he says.
MONEY MATTERS
Exhibitor-distributor Akshaye Rathi agrees with Butala. “Business-wise, if a foreign actor is a known face in their country, casting them can yield results. In such a case, a film can earn big money in that particular territory,” he says. He also opined that Tubelight could be a “game-changer of sorts” in China. “For instance, they have about 35,000 screens as compared to India’s 8,000 screens. So, a limited release in China would also be in about 8,000 screens,” he says.