Bollywood is known for its rich filmmaking, including foreign locations. The industry predominantly features Indian actors. However, times have changed and the inclusion of talented foreign actresses in Bollywood has graced the silver screen. Some have done a handful of projects and some have cemented their place in the industry. Let us take a look at 15 foreign actress in Bollywood who has entertained the audience.
List of Foreign Actresses in Bollywood
1. Katrina Kaif (British)
Katrina Kaif is one of the highest-paid and most successful actresses in Bollywood. Though brought up in London, she has become a household name in India and has acted in 50+ movies over 2 decades. Though she is a British actress in Bollywood, she has become an Indian through her work.
2. Amy Jackson (British)
Amy Jackson hails from the UK and has acted in multiple Indian languages like Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada. She has a significant fanbase in India and acted in superhit movies like 2.0, I, Ek Deewana Tha, Theri, and many more.
3. Jacqueline Fernandez (Sri Lankan)
Though she hails from Sri Lanka, Jacqueline doesn’t hold the title of foreign actress in Bollywood anymore. She has starred in several successful Bollywood movies like Brothers, Kick, Murder 2, and Houseful.
4. Nargis Fakhri (American)
Nargis Fakhri made her Bollywood debut with the blockbuster movie Rockstar alongside Ranbir Kapoor. The American model had her share of initial struggles but has found her niche in the industry.
5. Sunny Leone (Canadian-American)
The former adult actress Sunny Leone transitioned to mainstream Bollywood with grit and grace. She has cemented her place as a foreign heroine in Bollywood with successful movies like Ragini MMS 2, One Night Stand, and Beimann Love.
6. Elli AvrRam (Swedish-Greek)
The Swedish-Greek actress brought a unique talent to Bollywood. She is one of the most praised foreign actresses in Bollywood. She has been part of many movies like Naam Shabana, Goodbye, and Mickey Virus.
7. Nora Fatehi (Canadian-Moroccan)
Nora Fatehi is known for exceptional dancing skills, especially belly dancing. The Canadian Moroccan actress has become a Bollywood sensation. The foreign actress in Bollywood has starred in multiple movies like Satyameva Jayate and Thank God.
8. Barbara Mori (Uruguayan-Mexican)
Barbara Mori is Uruguayab Mexican actress. Her actress in the movie Kites alongside Hrithik Roshan created a buzz. However, she didn’t do any more movies and permanently remained a foreign actress in Bollywood movies.
9. Lisa Haydon (Australian)
Lisa Haydon was born to an Indian father and an Australian mother. The foreign actress in Bollywood is known for her distinctive looks and has starred in multiple movies like Baadshaaho, Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, Queen, and Houseful 3.
10. Claudia Ciesla (Polish-German)
The Polish-German actress Claudia Ciesla isn’t active in Bollywood. However, she has been featured in a handful of movies such as Kyaa Kool Hai Hum 3, Yaar Pardesi, and Desi Kattey.
11. Giselli Monteiro (Brazilian)
Giselli Monteiro, a Brazilian model and actress, made her Bollywood debut with Love Aaj Kal. Her performance was well-received and marked the beginning of her Indian film journey.
12. Bruna Abdullah (Brazilian)
Bruna Abdullah is a Brazilian model and actress who has been featured in numerous Bollywood movies. Some of her successful appearances were I Hate Love Storys, Grand Masti, Desi Boyz, and Himmatwala.
13. Alice Patten (British)
Alice Patten acted only in one Bollywood movie Rang De Basanti and left an indelible mark with that role. The foreign actress in Bollywood left a lasting impression on Indian audiences.
14. Sylvia Hoeks (Dutch)
Dutch actress Sylvia Hoeks appeared in the Bollywood film Dil Jo Bhi Kahey… Her involvement highlighted the international collaborations that Bollywood often engages in.
15. Yana Gupta (Czech)
Yana Gupta has been part of Bollywood for close to 2 decades. However, her screen time is limited to small roles and item songs. Foreign actress in Bollywood has acted in movies like Dum, Anniyan, and Murder 2.
Conclusion
The inclusion of foreign actresses in Bollywood has enriched the industry’s diversity and cross-cultural connections. However, it is not without challenges. Foreign actresses struggle to adopt the Indian style of filmmaking and language barriers.
These talented foreign actresses in Bollywood, with their unique backgrounds and skill sets, have proven that talent knows no boundaries. As they continue to leave their mark on Bollywood’s cinematic tapestry, we eagerly await more cross-cultural collaborations that will shape the future of Indian cinema.
