Irrfan Khan says Hollywood is expanding its market base and many India-based films will be made now
New Delhi:
Irrfan Khan, who has been to theOscar red carpet twice in five years for Slumdog Millionaireand Life of Pi, believes it is a good time for Indian actorsto work in Hollywood as the country is in fashion there.
The 46-year-old's recent Hollywood venture Life of Piwon multiple Oscars including the best director trophy andIrrfan feels that Hollywood is expanding its market.
"Hollywood is the biggest market. They know how to expandit and they have been doing it for years now... Spain was infashion so they had actors from Spain after that China came...They are trying to see different possibilities, they want togo beyond... they want to give variety to the audience.
"India is the biggest market... India is in fashion now.They are looking for possibilities, there will be lot manyfilms which will be made in India, story will be based inIndia and actors will be from India," Irrfan said at the IndiaToday Conclave 2013.
The actor, who is famous for his out-of-the box roles inmovies like Paan Singh Tomar and recently released SahibBiwi Aur Gangster Returns, said he did not mind playingcharacter roles but such roles are not counted worthy enoughin Bollywood.
"As a character actor you don't count in Bollywood. Youare just there to prop the protagonist. Here, being acharacter actor is no fun, since you are worth nothing. But inHollywood as a character actor also you have an existence, youare an equal part of the story," he added.
While addressing the session 'Global Indian Icon: Indiaignores till the world applauds?', Irrfan said he never feltsidelined in the industry ever and blames himself for nottrying to fit in.
"It wasn't that India didn't applaud. India wasn't theproblem, I was. In my case the problem was the kind of workthat I wanted to do. The issue was unless and until my filmsmade money, they wouldn't be picked anywhere let alone in theWest. The difference is that now there is marketing and hencefilms make more money."
Irrfan says he likes to make his own path in the industryrather than being a part of something that has already beenmade.
"I want to walk on my path and whenever you walk on yourown path, it is going to be difficult. But I also realise yourfilms have to make money for you to be able to work your ownway.
Irrfan started his acting journey with a brief butimpressive role in Mira Nair's debut film Salaam Bombay butit was Tigmanshu Dhulia's Haasil in 2003 that first got himnoticed in Bollywood. He was noticed globally for his powerfulperformance in British film The Warrior in 2001.His international projects include Angelina Jolie starrerA Mighty Heart, The Namesake, Slumdog Millionaire, NewYork I Love You, The Amazing Spider-Man and Life of Pibesides a TV show called In Treatment.
The 46-year-old's recent Hollywood venture Life of Piwon multiple Oscars including the best director trophy andIrrfan feels that Hollywood is expanding its market.
"Hollywood is the biggest market. They know how to expandit and they have been doing it for years now... Spain was infashion so they had actors from Spain after that China came...They are trying to see different possibilities, they want togo beyond... they want to give variety to the audience.
"India is the biggest market... India is in fashion now.They are looking for possibilities, there will be lot manyfilms which will be made in India, story will be based inIndia and actors will be from India," Irrfan said at the IndiaToday Conclave 2013.
The actor, who is famous for his out-of-the box roles inmovies like Paan Singh Tomar and recently released SahibBiwi Aur Gangster Returns, said he did not mind playingcharacter roles but such roles are not counted worthy enoughin Bollywood.
"As a character actor you don't count in Bollywood. Youare just there to prop the protagonist. Here, being acharacter actor is no fun, since you are worth nothing. But inHollywood as a character actor also you have an existence, youare an equal part of the story," he added.
While addressing the session 'Global Indian Icon: Indiaignores till the world applauds?', Irrfan said he never feltsidelined in the industry ever and blames himself for nottrying to fit in.
"It wasn't that India didn't applaud. India wasn't theproblem, I was. In my case the problem was the kind of workthat I wanted to do. The issue was unless and until my filmsmade money, they wouldn't be picked anywhere let alone in theWest. The difference is that now there is marketing and hencefilms make more money."
Irrfan says he likes to make his own path in the industryrather than being a part of something that has already beenmade.
"I want to walk on my path and whenever you walk on yourown path, it is going to be difficult. But I also realise yourfilms have to make money for you to be able to work your ownway.
Irrfan started his acting journey with a brief butimpressive role in Mira Nair's debut film Salaam Bombay butit was Tigmanshu Dhulia's Haasil in 2003 that first got himnoticed in Bollywood. He was noticed globally for his powerfulperformance in British film The Warrior in 2001.His international projects include Angelina Jolie starrerA Mighty Heart, The Namesake, Slumdog Millionaire, NewYork I Love You, The Amazing Spider-Man and Life of Pibesides a TV show called In Treatment.
