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India Becoming Hot Destination for Hollywood and European Film Celebrities

India appears to have become a chosen destination for Hollywood and European movie stars, directors, producers, and composers, who are rushing there to shoot films, etc.

Oscar winner Julia Roberts (Pretty Woman), Oscar winner Angelina Jolie (Changeling), Oscar winner Javier Bardem (No Country for Old Men), Oscar winner director Danny Boyle (Slumdog Millionaire), Oscar nominated Sharon Stone (Basic Instinct), Oscar nominated Mickey Rourke (The Wrestler), Grammy winner music producer Ric Wake (Chicago), Golden Globe nominated Pierce Brosnan (The Matador), BAFTA nominated Daniel Craig (Casino Royale), renowned composer Yanni (Live at the Acropolis), Amelia Jackson-Gray (Last Exit), producer Paul Raphael (Rabbit Fever), etc., are reportedly heading to India for their film or music related ventures.

Oscar winner director James Cameron (Titanic) is also reportedly going to India to meet a Buddhist monk. According to reports, Oscar winner Ben Kingsley is a math professor in "Teen Patti" (Three Cards), a Bollywood thriller set in India and England against a backdrop of high-stakes gambling, with superstar Amitabh Bachchan, premiering in August. Another Oscar winner Kate Winslet is reportedly being sought to play Dr. Sophie with Bollywood actor Aamir Khan in an India-partition themed drama. "Bride Wars" (Gary Winick) is reportedly being considered for a Hindi remake centering on a big Punjabi wedding. Barbara Mori, MTV award winner Mexican actress/model, is starring with Hrithik Roshan in a Bollywood production "Kites". Jewelry and henna designs of India are also reportedly becoming popular among Hollywood stars.

Acclaimed Indo-American statesman Rajan Zed, welcoming this India-trend of world film industry, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, said that filmmakers should also explore many finer and deeper things India offered, instead of just focusing on poverty and crime. Planet's most multidimensional country, fast growing economy, emerging world power, largest democracy, etc.; India had snowcapped mountains, palm-fringed and sun-washed beaches, glorious temples, colorful festivals, rich philosophy and spirituality, abundant historical sites, wildlife safaris, recharging treks, historic trade routes, cultural wealth, etc. Four major world religions Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, and Jainism originated there; while Christianity, Judaism, Zoroastrianism, and Islam had long established history and traditions, Zed added.

Rajan Zed, who is the chairperson of the Indo-American Leadership Confederation, further said that Hindus and people of India welcomed world filmmakers to make India their next film project destination but taking Hinduism and other religions of India seriously and respectfully and not reimagining their concepts and symbols just for mercantile greed. He also urged them to explore the rich philosophical thoughts of Hinduism and visit some Hin du temples during their visit to India.

Reasons cited for this sudden passion for India are: Slumdog effect, globalization, Bollywood's growing technical sophistication and resources, cost-effectiveness, exoticism, irresistible locations, exploding global market for India-centric films, etc.