I don't know if you can tell or not, but I'm Indian. Born there in fact. I also love watching movies, and in the last year I watched over 50 movies, even with my hectic schedule. I especially love Indian movies, they give me a small connection to a different part of me. A part of me that allows me to connect with all my friends here. Recently Bollywood icons such as Priyanka Chopra, Irfaan Khan, and Deepika Padukone have made their way into the Hollywood industry. No one is more psyched than the entire Indian subcontinent.
But I've heard so many people say that these people should, and I qoute "Stay in their lane", "work in their country or learn proper English". Bollywood is a huge industry with many excellent and awe- inspiring films ( no, not just Slumdog Millionaire). Often times when these amazing actors achieve roles in Hollywood, I've heard people say, "this is their next big break", and often this is from Indian people.
It is so easy to get caught up in the culture that is the "West's". We try to be more modern, give up our Kurtis for jeans, but choosing to dress a different way isn't saddening, its just a lifestyle choice. What is saddening is that Bollywood is considered a stepping stone to Hollywood. An entire culture is considered a step down from another, because they aspire to be like the other. What an actor looks for is a good role and advance their career, not to leave their entire culture behind.
Recently, Tollywood's Baahubali 2 came out, and it was a sensation that surpassed everyone's expectations and what irked me was CNN'S news piece that talked about the movie stated that "Indian films have been known for having cheap, low-quality special effects" and that "'Everyone who's watching the film is coming out and saying that they've watched a Hollywood film,'". It sucks to see a movie that you love, and an entire culture of people appreciate, being undermined because It is not another country's film. I love where I'm from, I love the things from the place I'm from, it's painful to think that someone else feels that it is lesser.
