The movie biz is now super global, and some Bollywood stars aren’t just staying in India—they’re killing it in Hollywood too. With crazy talent, killer charm, and a ‘never say die’ mindset, these actors have shown the world what Bollywood’s got and changed how people see Indian actors. They’ve taken on everything from wild action flicks to heartfelt dramas and seriously left their mark in Hollywood. Take a look at these five Bollywood stars who are now big names in international movies.
1. Priyanka Chopra Jonas: A Global Force
Priyanka Chopra Jonas is kind of a big deal. She went from Bollywood star to famous everywhere. After she won Miss World back in 2000, she blew up in Bollywood. She was amazing in movies like Fashion, Barfi!, and Bajirao Mastani.
Then she went to Hollywood with the ABC show Quantico (from 2015 to 2018). She played Alex Parrish. And she was the first South Asian woman with the main role in an American TV show. After that, she got tons of chances. Priyanka acted in films such as Baywatch (with Dwayne Johnson and Zac Efron), which is not romantic, and The Matrix Resurrections. At the top of the acting, she produces, sings, and donates too much. You have probably seen her on a magazine cover a ton, and time has also placed her in the list of 100 most important people. He is not just a star in India; He is a global icon.
2. Irrfan Khan: The Crossover King
Irrfan Khan, sad but never forgotten, stands out as one of India’s biggest stars in global cinema. He was incredibly productive, was subtle in his craft, and always brought a hidden depth to his roles. Khan’s work in both Bollywood and Hollywood showed how favourable he was as an actor. He kicked off his Hollywood work in 2006 with Meera Nair’s Hollywood work with a small but memorable role in The Namesake. After that, he popped up in a string of major international films.
You can remember them with Slumdog Millionaire (2008), The Amazing Spider-Man (2012), Life of PI (2012), Jurassic World (2015), and Tom Hanks of Inferno (2016). Even when he woke up to fame in the West, Khan put his feet in Indian cinema, acting in Pan Singh Tomar, Hindi medium and lunchbox. His career proves that real performances can be resonant with anyone, wherever they are. Even though he left us in 2020, his influence on the film’s world is very big.
3. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan: Original Global Beauty
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is often called the world’s most beautiful woman, so, of course, everyone was waiting for her to act in Hollywood films. After winning Miss World in 1994, she became a star in India, acting in films like Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam and Devdas. Aishwarya showed in Hollywood in Bride and Prejudice (2004), directed by Gurinder Chadha and based on Jane Austen’s book.
After that, he starred with Steve Martin in The Mistress of Spices (2005), Ukasaya (2006), and The Pink Panther 2 (2009). While these films did not always get a great review, Aishwarya’s class made her the headline. Apart from acting, she is always at the Cannes Film Festival and was the first Indian woman to be on the jury. She has also been in international advertisements, making her one of the first Bollywood stars to gain global recognition.
4. Anupam Kher: A Total Pro
With 500+ films under his belt, Anupam Kher definitely paid his dues. He is famous for being able to do any kind of part in Indian films, as well as making it big in Hollywood. People still talk about their share in The Big Sick (2017), where they played the role of Kumail Nanjiani’s father. The film did super well and was nominated for the Oscar. He was also in the Silver Linings Playbook (2012) with Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence, not to mention bends such as Beckham (2002). Kher’s solid acting and the way he commands the screen have earned him respect in the West. Their success only goes to show that actors with real talent can kill it anywhere, wherever they are.
5. Dimple Kapadia: Talk about a return!
One of Bollywood’s most mysterious actresses, Dimple Kapadia completely surprised everyone with her Hollywood debut in Christopher Nolan’s Tenet (2020). Even though she was famous for her roles during the day, she kept holding a low profile until she launched this science-fiction role.
In the Tetnet, he played the role of Priya, who was a shady weapon dealer with mystery. Even with limited screen time, Kapadia’s strong stretch and spot-on acting won their praise with critics around the place. Nolan himself was a fan, calling her a fantastic actress. Landing such a big international role later in her career broke all the old stereotypes about age and female actors. It was a win for Indian cinema, proving that seasoned actors can totally kill it on the world stage.
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In short: Let’s tear down walls and build bridges.
These five stars show how Indian talent is killing it worldwide. Each of them brought their special sauce to the table—with their global attraction, their deep, moving performance, Aishwarya’s class, their unique ability to do anything, and later with the terrible return of Dimple in life. Their achievements are not just limited to Indian actors; They also push Hollywood to tell various stories and cast a broad net. With more Indian actors popping up in foreign films every year and cultures mixing more than ever, things are looking up. Crossing over isn’t just some rare thing anymore – it’s turning into something we celebrate.
Written by Nidhi Singh