I’m sure Deepika Padukone and Priyanka Chopra have set enough examples for you to believe that Bollywood actors have a fixation to act in Hollywood. But guess what, the flamboyance, colours, songs and dances of Hindi films have fascinated enough foreign actors too, who have time and again taken the Bollywood route. FYI we are not talking about Katrina Kaif and Jacqueline Fernandez, who have carved a smart career for themselves in India. We are referring to those who already had successful jobs in their home countries, yet did not hesitate to try a hand at speaking Hindi dialogues. While some were too cute with their firangi accents, others soared the temperatures with their oomph and glamour on the Indian screens.
Many times they even stole the limelight from the Indian stars. And if we tell you what many of them did after their Bollywood appearances or what they are actually doing now, it might just surprise you.
Here we list for you some of the most memorable foreign actors who appeared in Bollywood and later went on to do greater work elsewhere in the world! Check out what they are upto now.
1. Paul Blackthorne
“Shart yeh hai ki tum humko is khel mein haraao aur hum tumhara lagaan maaf kar dega”.
One dialogue on which the entire film of Lagaan was based! The memorable dialogue of Captain Andrew Russell was spoken by English actor Paul Blackthorne in the Oscar nominated film. And Paul spent six months learning Hindi for the first film of his career. After Lagaan, Paul did several American films and television shows, including ER, 24, The Dresden Files and Arrow. Paul is also an accomplished photographer and his exhibition, “Delhi to Manhattan”, appeared in New York City to benefit the Tibetan children in Dharamsala. He even put up a special show in London, to assist the Gujarat earthquake victims in 2001. Aamir Khan had recently lent support to his “Save the Rhino Vietnam” initiative. Paul along with Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey, began the initiative and are selling T-shirts with it’s theme to raise funds and generate awareness about poaching of Rhino horns. Aamir even posted on Twitter wearing the T-shirt.
Hey guys, our very own Captain Russel (@PaulBlackthorne) from Lagaan is doing some good work for a change! (1/2) pic.twitter.com/6rEJrWdyfC
— Aamir Khan (@aamir_khan) May 21, 2016
2. Rachel Shelley
The British girl in Lagaan who fell in love with Bhuvan, Rachel was one of the most loved actors in the film. After she went back home, she played Helena Peabody, one of her best known characters in the television series The L Word. She was also a part of BBC medical drama Casualty, and films like Photographing Fairies, The Bone Snatcher and The Children. Interestingly, Lagaan director Ashutosh Govarikar himself penned the English dialogues and lyrics for Rachel. Currently, Rachel, 46, is settled in London and happily married to TV writer-director-producer Matthew Parkhill. They have a daughter. Guess Rachel should plan a trip to India. Won’t we love to see her?
3. Clive Standen
As hot he was way back in 2008 when he played Katrina’s boyfriend in Namaste London, there hasn’t been much change in his drool-worthy looks. Today he is one of the best known names on British television. Apart from theater, he has done shows like Zero Hour, Robin Hood, Vikings and Taken. He was also last seen in film Everest. He is the spokesperson of a marine conservation organization, called The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. We won’t be wrong in saying he still can make you go weak in the knees. Look at the picture. You think anyone else could’ve played Robin Hood any better? And he is 34, and single!
4. Antonia Bernath
Her peculiar way of calling “Khesnaa” still echoes in our ears. The British actress and singer made her film debut in Kisna, after which she went on to do many Hollywood movies like Slaughter and Pirate Radio, and TV series Trinity and Holby City. And when she wasn’t acting all these years, she took time out to study psychology. Doesn’t she still look as pretty?
5. Sarah Thompson Kane
The American actress played Ranbir Kapoor’s girlfriend in Raajneeti who dies in a bomb blast. But by then we had already seen their cute onscreen chemistry. Did you know she was already married to American singer and actor Bran Kane when she did the Bollywood film? She was also a well established TV star when the film happened. Sarah is best known for playing Eve in TV show Angel and Rose in 7th Heaven. She has also appeared in some Hollywood films. Today she is taking it slow and accepts projects only if it interests her. But she says she would love to do another Bollywood movie.
6. Steven Mackintosh
He is the elder most actor in our list. And if it wasn’t for his personal diary and the stories he wrote about India’s independence, Rang De Basanti wouldn’t have been made. Well, that’s what the film suggests! The English actor already had a career of 23 years before he played Mr. McKinley in RDB. He is remembered for films Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and The Land Girls, and TV show Luther. Nearing 50, and he is still going strong on television. His ongoing show is Stan Lee’s Lucky Man.
7. Alice Patten
She by far remains our favourite firangi face in Bollywood. Her “Sue kar mere mann ko”act in Rang De Basanti makes the film one of our best college flicks. Sue McKinley was paired opposite Aamir Khan in the blockbuster film. She was married to American comedian and screenwriter Tim Steed, and expecting her first child when the film was sweeping all the prestigious awards in India. She portrayed Ophelia in the English Touring Theatre’s 2005 production of Hamlet. In fact, she is thankful for her Bollywood experience which “prepped her for a successful audition for the role”. Did you know Alice is the daughter of Chris Patten, a prominent British politician and the last Governor of Hong Kong? All of 36 years old today, Alice seldom appears on television. She was seen in Downton Abbey, Our Girl and Mistresses, to name a few.
8. Mish Boyko
Kangana Ranaut’s Queen was full of foreign actors. But we chose to list Mish, who played Alexander aka Sikander, the cute looking beer-toting guy who had a silent crush on Rani. Due to his adorable screen presence and unassuming nature, didn’t we all wanted Rani to fall for him? Unfortunately, that didn’t happen! For the beginners, Mish is an actor from Midland based in London and he has acted in films and TV shows like Wrist, Waterloo Road, short film The Burn and D is for Detroit. Google him now!
9. Rebecca Breeds
She was just 25 when she played the role of an Australian girl with whom Milkha Singh has a fling during the 1956 Melbourne Olympics. After starring in Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, she majorly did television. Her shows Blue Water High, Home and Away and The Originalsare quite famous. She married actor and co-star Luke Mitchell in January 2013, just few months before her Bollywood film released. She continues to do television in Australia.
10. Toby Stephens
The actor played Captain William Gordon, a close friend of Mangal Pandey in the biopic. But many don’t know he had already done films like Orlando, Twelfth Night, Possessionand Die Another Day before his Bollywood debut. He is a very renowned face in British television. His role as Captain Flint in television series Black Sails and film 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi is well known.
11. Brande Roderick
When the American model romanced Riteish Deshmukh in Out Of Control, she did leave her fans OUT-OF-CONTROL! Brande has made appearances in Baywatch and Playboy. She was selected as “Playmate of the Month” and even “Playmate of the Year”. She also did some Hollywood films like Starsky & Hutch, Hood of Horror, Club Wild Side 2 and The Nanny Diaries. She is married to former American footballer Glenn Cadrez. The song “USA Wich LA, Te Main LA Di Maina” is still playing in our minds!
12. Martin Henderson
His name has to be on this list. After all he romanced our most beautiful Aishwarya Rai in Bride And Prejudice. The Australian actor stole every Indian heart in the film. And then he went on to do television in New Zealand. He was lauded for playing Noah Clay in horror film The Ring, and the soap opera Shortland Street. Martin also featured in Britney Spears’ “Toxic” music video. He was last seen in Hollywood film Everest. And, hold your horses, he is currently playing Dr. Nathan Riggs in our favourite show Grey’s Anatomy. He kind of replaced Derek Shephard aka Patrick Dempsey. Still waiting when Meredith will realise his love for her? We are waiting too!
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