Bollywood calling international stars
As the Western world scales back its big entertainment budgets in lieu of the economic crisis, cash-crunched celebs are now seeing the money in Bollywood song-and-dance routines.
Kylie Minogue [see box], Nicole Kidman, Denise Richards, Carmen Elektra, Ali Larter, Sylvester Stallone and even California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger have gleefully signed on the dotted line to shake a hip in Indian films in exchange for millions of dollars.
Minogue reportedly cashed in a cheque of Rs55 million (Dh4m) for a seven-minute appearance in Blue, while Larter, Stallone and Richards were rumoured to have earned Rs45m, Rs25m and Rs15m respectively. Kidman was spotted in Jaipur earlier this month to shoot an ad film with Oscar-nominated director Shekhar Kapur and actor Arjun Rampal. Rumours filtered out that Kidman and Kapur also held secret talks to work on a film together.
But frontline celebs aren't the only ones milking this cash cow. Piggybacking on Slumdog Millionaire's Oscar-winning take on Mumbai street life, hotshot director Rob Cohen (The Fast and the Furious, Mummy 3) is also heading to India to film a joint Hollywood-Bollywood venture that could see heavyweights Al Pacino and Robert DeNiro share screen space with legendary actor Amitabh Bachchan, along with current favourites, stars John Abraham and Katrina Kaif.
Titled Jewel of India, the Rs3 billion film – reportedly backed by a Mumbai-based production house – is said to be an Indiana Jones-style adventure where a student stumbles across a parchment that reveals the famed Kohinoor diamond embedded in the Queen of England's crown is a fake. The starry team then sets off on a hunt across India to find the precious stone.
Do such projects mark a new era in Bollywood filmmaking? Indian actor Akshay Kumar certainly seems to think so. "Indian films are truly going global with the help of certain projects, scripts, extra effects and even stars," the actor told Emirates Business. "If we can broaden our films across the world why shouldn't we, as long as it's in good taste?"
A Kumar-starrer certainly appears to be the big draw for international heavyweights. After rap star Snoop Dogg agreed to don a Sikh turban and croon with the actor in last year's Singh is Kinng for a tidy sum of Rs20m, this year's Chandni Chowk to China lured Hollywood's Warner Bros studios to invest in Bollywood kitsch.
"I think Warner Brother's foray into Bollywood just reinforces the power of the Indian film industry today," says the actor. "I signed on for the film without even reading the script; all I knew that WB was backing the project and that was incentive enough."
Kumar's growing star power didn't escape the likes of Stallone, Richards, Elektra and Schwarzenegger, all of whom also agreed to lend their name and screen time for the forthcoming Sajid Nadiadwala-produced Kambhakt Ishq (scheduled to release on May 28 in the UAE).
Later this year, Kumar's forthcoming Blue will see pop princess Minogue sing and dance to a special track composed by Oscar-winning music director, AR Rahman. At a press conference, the petite singer voiced her appreciation for all things Bollywood, saying: "Bollywood movies have always fascinated me and I was lucky that this project [Blue] fell into my lap."
A sum of Rs55m would certainly be considered lucky by most.
But even as international talent is reportedly heading eastwards, critics are quick to caution that such 'gimmicks' will have box-office cash registers ringing only if a production is backed by a good script. Case in point was the Ali Larter-Salman Khan starrer Marigold (2007), which crashed so fast many doubt if the Heroes actress will ever pack her bags for Bollywood again.
If this trend bears fruit long-term will be determined by the fate of Kambhakt Ishq and Blue at the international box-office and Slumdog Millionaire star Anil Kapoor thinks only good can come out this.
"In the long run, this will create a lot of job opportunities for technicians at home. How can this be criticised?"
Is Kylie Minogue singing away recession blues in Bollywood?
If anyone thought Bollywood was feeling blue as a result of the credit crisis, Kylie Minogue's appearance in Mumbai earlier this month showed the industry was still rolling in money; enough in fact to shelve out Rs55 million for a seven-minute song and dance 'item' number by the pop diva in the forthcoming movie Blue.
Emirates Business caught up with the Aussie star, 40, to find out about her plans to do more work in Bollywood and her bonding sessions with Blue co-star Akshay Kumar.
What made you sign on for a Bollywood film?
Well, I always wanted to do something in India. So when [director] Anthony D'Souza approached me, I just couldn't say no. Bollywood movies have always fascinated me and I was lucky that this project fell into my lap. I should thank Anthony for giving me this opportunity. I am waiting for Blue to release. When it does, I will watch it. It's a great plot and the characters are also very interesting.
It's a bold attempt and I think it should be lauded. What's interesting is that even though I couldn't really understand the dialogues of the film, somehow, it just didn't matter because even watching the actors go about shooting for the film was such an experience.
But there are many cultural differences between India and the West. Did that prove to be a hindrance?
Absolutely not. In fact, I would say my experience was amazing. See, there's not much difference between shooting for a Bollywood movie and for a music video. The only difference, as I see it, is the energy level. There are a lot more people on the sets here and the energy and enthusiasm you feel is also a lot more. Here people are so passionate about their work and that touches you in a certain way.
I think I was just lucky to have got a chance to work with them.
What was it like working with Oscar-winning music director AR Rahman?
I met Rahman at the Bafta where I presented him the award for best film music. And then we met again to record the song for Blue.
I find him a really good music director and the song we have done together is great. I am sure everyone will like it.
Will we be seeing more of you in India?
That's a tough one to answer at this point. Let's see how well my work in Blue is accepted. After that, who knows?
How would you describe your India experience?
The eight days that I spent here were great. My overriding memory of the country and its people is their warmth and professionalism.
When I came here, I was a stranger. But now I feel like family here. I am definitely coming back.
Do you think Indian men are sexy?
Yes, but don't ask me for names. I'm not giving any (laughs).
What about your co-star Akshay Kumar?
He's a thorough gentleman. Men like him are rare and I am glad we got a chance to work together.
This year, Slumdog Millionaire swept most of the international awards. Do you think Hollywood will now be forced to take note of Bollywood ?
I am not sure I am the right person to answer that because I am not really Hollywood. But the things that are unfolding are interesting to watch. The fact that I came here to do a Hindi film shows this crossover could be the start of something.
(Noyon Jyoti Parasara – Sanskriti Media)
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