Finally Bollywood!

Well, it finally happened. I did it, I am on a Bollywood feature film.

Over the last four days I was a Background Actor (aka: 'extra', though Background Actor sounds a lot better on my CV) for the next Bollywood Film, coming out in October. :) It was a fantastic experience being on the set of a Feature Film. There was a bit of sitting around as you can imagine (especially in Bollywood land). If you don't know much about the Bollywood Film genre then get to know it, because it is taking over Hollywood, quite literally. Presently Bollywood Films are doubling the amount of £££ Hollywood makes per annum. There are a few rules about Bollywood Films - no kissing, no sex scenes, usually full of colour and dancing and lots of music; and, in 'real' Bollywood Films (unlike the Hollywood Bollywood film Bride and Prejudice) the film usually has voiceovers instead of dialogue shot on set).

While I spent most of my time dressed to the nines on a casino set, playing the pokies all day, I was amazed at the power of the 'Bollywood Actor', after every shot, even if it lasted only 10 secs 4-5 people would swarm to the 'star' and powder their nose, wrap them in an blanket, fix their hair and clothes for the next shot. The stars we had a chance to rub shoulders with were Sanjay Dutt, Anuuj Sawhney, Ajay Devgan, Bipasha Basu & Satish Shah; the directors are Abbas-Mastan. They have made other films like 36 China Town (the most recent one), HUMRAZ (The better half or Partner), Aitraaz (Objection), Khiladi (Player). It was lots of fun and I met some great people and made some great contacts for future work.

Maybe Bollywood isn't so bad after all. I can go and have that red meat now. :)

BTW - the guy in the top photo is Satish Shah - look familiar?