It’s all about crossovers

Deviation in the usual scenario breaks the monotony. If the idea itself is something new, the movie clicks onto success. Inspiration gives way to experiment, experiment to variation and variation to a total new concepts and refinements.
Crossover movies are in abundant. Indian cinema has given base to Hollywood by bringing in their stories and style on our Indian screens. Similarly, bringing in international personalities on Indian board not only gives space to fame but also gives a relief to any watcher. However, our talents crossing boundaries to make a niche there is something not mostly talked about. Although there are several distinguished Indian-international projects that stand out, they won’t be however as popular as the commercials ones down here.
The market for English movies made by Indians is comparatively not feasible despite the movies having rich content and unique concept. But talents from here are very much satisfied and at easy in overseas platform. For, they are received with open hands, giving enough space to creativity and innovation. Also, the Indian filmmakers and actors promote India and its cinema on the international screens.
Roshan Seth, Saeed Jaffrey, Meera Nair, Nagesh Kukunoor, Sarita Choudhury, Shekar Kapur, Kal Penn, M. Night Shyamalan – all this names ring an impressive portfolio on the screens, both national and internationally. Their movies went on to make a difference in people’s approach towards cinema. They have looked beyond the normal genres, language, race and idea through their projects.
Roshan Seth, who is more popular as Nehru, went on to make the first ripples abroad. His character as Jawaharlal Nehru in Sir Richard Attenborough's 1982 film ‘Gandhi’ brought home the acclaims and proved that Indian talents too can cross borders. He bagged National Award for the movie. Besides, he acted in several theatrical international productions and has Canadian Genie Award for Best Actor for his role in ‘Such a Long Journey’. In ‘Gandhi’, Saeed Jaffrey played the role of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and thus, earned several other international ventures later. Sarita Choudhury who is known for making controversial headlines with her role in ‘Kama Sutra: A Tale of Love’. She established herself by having numerous international projects. She is one of those actresses who are not comfortable to wear the shoes of a commercial heroine.
Both Roshan and Sarita have acted in Mira Nair's Mississippi Masala; bringing yet another Indian honcho in filmmaking. Mira Nair is noted for her crossover movies which are laced with Indian style and culture. One can be quite familiar with her kinds of movies; some are controversial yet groundbreaking ones. Who can forget her ‘Monsoon Wedding’? Similarly another name, a lady filmmaker - Gurinder Chadha – made a niche outside India with her Indian-oriented films. ‘Bride and Prejudice’ and ‘Bend It Like Beckham’ are few of her exemplary works. We shouldn’t even miss Deepa Mehta for her ‘Fire’ and ‘Water’.
M. Night Shyamalan brought home much adulation with his thrillers and moving stories, earning the tag of all-round talent head. His movies like ‘The Sixth Sense’, ‘The Village’ and other movies made remarkable waves overseas and at home here. Nagesh Kukunoor too shot to fame with his distinct style of using Indian anecdotes in crossover movies.
It will be injustice to forget our Music Maestro AR Rahman and recently acclaimed Sound Designer Resul Pookutty to add in the list of endowed Indians on the international stage. There are also many other eminent people of our country who have projected India as the home of talents and creative heads, and went on be on par with the overseas biggies. However, international platform will always remain prolific for anyone across the globe…