The Age, Australia
Aspiring Brits find Bollywood beauty skin deep
Mumbai June 28, 2009
YOUNG British actresses struggling to find work at home are moving to Bollywood to capitalise on the Indian film industry's appetite for white talent.
The recession-hit show business in Britain and an increasing demand for white performers has spurred an estimated 1000 British actors and dancers to move to Mumbai in the past three years.
British actresses can earn £1000 ($2050) a day in Mumbai and say opportunities are plentiful.
The traditional roles for white women in Bollywood were as the exotic backing dancer, prepared to show off bare skin.
Now they are moving to Mumbai to establish serious film careers.
Hazel, 24, from Kent, has been in Mumbai for five years and is well established on the Bollywood circuit, where she is known simply by her Christian name.
"I first did adverts for Ponds, Nokia and Samsung and then got my first proper role in a film in MP3," she said.
"You can lead such a great lifestyle in India. There is the constant begging, pollution and sleazy casting directors that you have to be careful of, but it's all worthwhile … I'm almost famous!"
The success of Slumdog Millionaire has put India on the map in terms of worldwide film audiences, and Bollywood is becoming more globally minded.
"Ten years ago there were hardly any white girls working in Bollywood. Now they are everywhere," said Debjoy Ray, of Globosport Modelling agency. "Indians have a liking for white skin and equate it with beauty."
-- My humanity is in feeling we are all voices of the same poverty. - Jorge Louis Borges