Actors Who Worked in Bollywood & Hollywood Both

In the ever-evolving landscape of global cinema, the barrier between the glitz of Bollywood and the grandeur of Hollywood has become increasingly thin. For decades, Indian actors were often relegated to minor, stereotypical roles in Western productions. However, the last twenty years have witnessed a paradigm shift. Today, Indian talent is not just “visiting” Hollywood; they are headlining blockbusters, winning international awards, and redefining what it means to be a global star.

From the late Irrfan Khan’s poetic presence to Priyanka Chopra’s dominance in American television, the crossover journey is a testament to the versatility of Indian artists. In this comprehensive guide, we explore the careers of legendary actors who successfully conquered both film industries.

1. Irrfan Khan: The True Global Ambassador

When discussing Bollywood actors in Hollywood, Irrfan Khan remains the gold standard. He didn’t just act in Hollywood; he became a staple of it.⁴ Unlike many who sought “crossovers” for fame, Irrfan’s transition was born out of a pure artistic demand for his craft.

• Bollywood Legacy: Known for masterpieces like Maqbool, The Lunchbox, and Piku.
• Hollywood Milestones:
  • The Namesake (2006):⁵ His breakout role as Ashoke Ganguli.⁶
  • Slumdog Millionaire (2008): Played the sharp-witted police inspector.
  • Life of Pi (2012):⁷ Delivered an emotionally haunting performance as the adult Pi.
  • Jurassic World (2015): Played Simon Masrani, the eccentric billionaire owner of the park.⁸
  • Inferno (2016):⁹ Starred alongside Tom Hanks.

Why he succeeded: Irrfan had a unique ability to underplay his characters, a trait highly valued in Western realism, making him a favorite for directors like Ang Lee and Ron Howard.

2. Priyanka Chopra Jonas: The Trailblazer

Priyanka Chopra did what many thought was impossible: she moved to the U.S. at the peak of her Bollywood career and started from scratch to become a household name in America.

• The Quantico Effect: In 2015, she became the first South Asian woman to headline an American network drama series, Quantico.¹⁰ This was the turning point that established her as a global lead.
• Major Hollywood Projects:
  • Baywatch (2017): Played the antagonist Victoria Leeds.¹¹
  • The Matrix Resurrections (2021): Portrayed Sati in the legendary franchise.
  • Citadel (2023): Headlined the massive Russo Brothers’ spy series.
  • Love Again (2023): A romantic lead opposite Sam Heughan.

Impact: Priyanka’s success opened doors for leading Indian actresses to be seen as more than just “exotic” additions, proving they can carry million-dollar franchises on their shoulders.¹²

3. Om Puri: The Pioneer of Parallel Cinema

Long before the term “crossover” was trendy, Om Puri was already a respected figure in international circuits.¹³ His rugged looks and powerful voice allowed him to blend into British and American stories seamlessly.

• Key International Works:
  • City of Joy (1992):¹⁴ Starring alongside Patrick Swayze.
  • Wolf (1994): Working with Jack Nicholson.
  • The Ghost and the Darkness (1996):¹⁵ Starring Val Kilmer and Michael Douglas.
  • The Hundred-Foot Journey (2014): His final major international role, produced by Steven Spielberg and Oprah Winfrey.

Om Puri proved that talent transcends language, and his contribution to the “East-meets-West” narrative remains unparalleled.

4. Anil Kapoor: The “Jhakaas” Entry into the West¹⁶

Anil Kapoor’s Hollywood journey is a lesson in reinvention. After decades of ruling Bollywood, he found a second wind in the West through high-octane thrillers.

• Slumdog Millionaire (2008):¹⁷ His role as the host Prem Kumar won him a Screen Actors Guild Award.
• 24 (TV Series): He played President Omar Hassan in the eighth season of the hit show 24, and later produced the Indian adaptation.
• Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol (2011):¹⁸ A memorable cameo as Brij Nath, sharing the screen with Tom Cruise.

5. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan: The Global Face of Beauty

In the early 2000s, Aishwarya Rai was the primary face of India on the global stage. From the Cannes red carpet to Oprah’s couch, she was the “world’s most beautiful woman” taking on international cinema.

• Hollywood/British Films:
  • Bride and Prejudice (2004):¹⁹ A Bollywood-style adaptation of Jane Austen.
  • The Mistress of Spices (2005): A mystical drama.
  • The Pink Panther 2 (2009): Playing the antagonist Sonia Solandres alongside Steve Martin.

6. Anupam Kher: The Versatile Veteran

With over 500 films in his kitty, Anupam Kher’s presence in Hollywood has been consistent and diverse. He often plays the “warm father figure” or the “intellectual professional.”

• Notable Roles:
  • Bend It Like Beckham (2002): A cult classic where he played the strict but loving father.
  • Silver Linings Playbook (2012): Played Dr. Cliff Patel in this Oscar-winning film.²⁰
  • New Amsterdam (2018–2021): A series regular as Dr. Vijay Kapoor.

7. Deepika Padukone: The Modern Action Star

Deepika Padukone chose a high-profile action flick for her Hollywood debut, signaling that modern Indian actresses are ready for the “Bond-girl” style limelight but with much more agency.²¹

• xXx: Return of Xander Cage (2017):²² Starring as Serena Unger opposite Vin Diesel. She chose to keep her Indian accent, a move praised for its authenticity.
• Global Presence: Beyond films, she has become a global ambassador for brands like Louis Vuitton and Cartier, and presented at the Oscars in 2023.

8. Ali Fazal: The New-Age Romantic Lead

Ali Fazal has quietly carved out a very respectable space in Hollywood, moving away from “token” roles to significant leads.²³

• Victoria & Abdul (2017): He played the lead role of Abdul Karim opposite the legendary Judi Dench.
• Death on the Nile (2022): Part of the star-studded ensemble in the Agatha Christie adaptation.
• Kandahar (2023): An action-heavy role alongside Gerard Butler.

9. Alia Bhatt & Dhanush: The Recent Entrants

The new generation is wasting no time.

• Alia Bhatt made her debut in the Netflix action thriller Heart of Stone (2023) as the primary antagonist Keya Dhawan, starring with Gal Gadot.²⁴
• Dhanush, though primarily a South Indian star with massive Bollywood hits, made waves in the Russo Brothers’ The Gray Man (2022), playing a lethal assassin.²⁵

Comparison Table: Hollywood vs. Bollywood Impact

Why Hollywood is Looking Toward Bollywood

The trend of Indian actors working in Hollywood isn’t just about diversity; it’s about economics and talent:

1. The Indian Market: Hollywood studios realize that casting an Indian superstar ensures a massive box-office opening in the Indian subcontinent.
2. The Digital Boom: Platforms like Netflix and Prime Video have made Indian content global. A star like Nawazuddin Siddiqui or Radhika Apte is now recognizable to a viewer in New York.
3. Refined Craft: Actors like Irrfan Khan and Tabu (who starred in Life of Pi and The Namesake) brought a level of nuance that Hollywood directors found refreshing.

Challenges and the Future

While we celebrate these successes, the journey hasn’t always been easy. For a long time, Indian actors faced “brown-fishing” or were cast only as taxi drivers, IT nerds, or terrorists.

However, the tide has turned. With Alia Bhatt, Sobhita Dhulipala (Monkey Man), and Adarsh Gourav (The White Tiger) making significant strides, the future of Indian talent in Hollywood is no longer about “making it”—it’s about “belonging.”

Conclusion

The bridge between Mumbai and Los Angeles is stronger than ever. Actors like Irrfan Khan paved the way, Priyanka Chopra built the structure, and the new generation is now walking across it with confidence. As audiences become more global, we can expect to see even more “Desi” faces in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Academy Award-winning dramas, and high-budget streaming series.