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Home > Entertainment News > Hollywood News > Article > Going West is passe Bollywood actors are heading East as Chinese films beckon

Going West is passe! Bollywood actors are heading East as Chinese films beckon

Updated on: 23 October,2016 08:17 AM IST  | 
Sonil Dedhia |

Making it big in Hollywood has always been on the wish list of Indian actors. Now, however, several Indian actors are heading to the East as Chinese films beckon

Going West is passe! Bollywood actors are heading East as Chinese films beckon

Disha Patani, Amyra Dastur and Sonu Sood all share screen time with Jackie Chan in Kung Fu Yoga

Disha Patani, Amyra Dastur and Sonu Sood all share screen time with Jackie Chan in Kung Fu Yoga
Disha Patani, Amyra Dastur and Sonu Sood all share screen time with Jackie Chan in Kung Fu Yoga


Making it big in Hollywood has always been on the wish list of Indian actors. A number of big-ticket Hollywood projects have roped in desi actors like Irrfan Khan and lately Priyanka Chopra and Deepika Padukone. However, of late, an increasing number of Indian actors are traversing a new path. Instead of going West, they are trying to make a presence in Chinese productions.


Sonu Sood is one of the first actors to have a full-fledged role in a Chinese film. The actor essayed the role of King Harshavardhan in Xuanzang, a film which has been chosen by China as the entry for the Best Foreign Language Film category at the 89th Academy Awards in February.


Sonu says, "Period films have always fascinated me. The regal costumes, the stunts, the detailing, it looks magical on screen. When I was approached for the film, I thought it would challenge me as an actor because Chinese films have always been an alien territory for Indian actors." Sonu will also be sharing screen space with Jackie Chan in the upcoming film, Kung Fu Yoga, which features Bollwood actresses Amyra Dastur and Disha Patani.

Working with Chan
Talking about her experience of working with the Chinese superstar, Disha says, "Jackie is such a humble man. I was completely awestruck when I saw him for the first time. When he came and spoke to me, I thought, "OMG he's real! He knows my name!". He is one of the finest and kindest human beings I have come across."

Amyra, too, was excited about working with Jackie. "It made me want to be part of it." Another actor who is looking to make it big in China is Rahul Bhat who was seen in Bollywood films like Ugly (2013) and Jai Gangaajal this year. Rahul features in True Heroes, an action-comedy. As part of prep for the film, he learnt Mandarin and martial arts. "I am grateful to the producers who saw my film [Ugly] at Cannes and gave me an opportunity."

Gaining popularity
With changing content in the international market, the demand for Indian actors in Chinese films is on a rise. Sonu was surprised that he was already a known face, "I wasn't aware that people recognised me. They would sing songs from Happy New Year (2014) and knew that I had worked with Shah Rukh Khan who is a big star in China."

Rahul Bhat will be seen in the Chinese action comedy, True Heroes
Rahul Bhat will be seen in the Chinese action comedy, True Heroes

Apart from acting, Sonu is also keen on collaborating with Chinese production houses to produce films. "I have shot two films, so I am aware how they work. I am already in talks with a few production houses and I have also met a few people from the China Film Group Corporation to discuss work. They too are keen on doing something in India so I hope something will materalise soon," he adds.

Indian actors are often criticised for playing cameos in international films, but Rahul feels the fact that they managed to get an international film is incredible. "A lot of people say, 'Chhota role play kiya hain', but that is how it works. You have to start small to make it big. The fact that someone has actually got a role is enormous in itself." He adds, "The doors are opening, not just for actors, but also for technicians. The collaboration is growing. The Chinese market is keeping an eye on India to get new stories and talent," he says.

Amyra feels that cinema is expanding and world cinema is being appreciated more and more. "Different cultures are coming together to make movies on a grand scale for the global audience rather than their own country. As an actor one cannot ask for more, " she explains.

Global exposure
"Indians have always been fascinated by Chinese films. Jackie Chan and Bruce Lee have always been popular in India. But, now the tables have turned and Indian films are gaining popularity. Also, when a film features popular faces from across the world it tends to become more universal," says Bhatt. Sonu says the trend is catching up because India is increasingly contributing to Chinese films' coffers? "Kung Fu Yoga, a Sino-Indian project, is a part of the three-film agreement signed between the two countries during Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to India.

Similary, a lot of co-production of films is planned for the future. Currently, China has a policy where they showcase 40 films from outside the country. Out of that, 36 films are from all over the world, mostly Hollywood, and only four films from India. They have a restrictive policy. But the new agreement will allow more films to release in China."

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