Once upon a time acting was all about the gripping storyline and actor who were capable of moving the audiences through their phenomenal performances. Through vigorous training acquired at world class acting schools, only the best of the best performers were given the chance to make their big break in Hindi cinema, who then went on to become 'stars' for their outstanding work. Today, however, the story is something else, as appreciating high-calibre actors for their talent is becoming increasingly rare.
Today, the industry thrives in launching new faces who have just walked out of a beauty pageant! The ones who have the fittest bodies, and faces of a porcelain doll. If it's not a beauty pageant, they have some sort of modelling background and sexy snaps to assist them with making their big break..that the essential need of 'knowing' how to act for a film is of little importance. Indeed there are some actresses such as Deepika Padukone and Anushka Sharma who have come from a similar background and still give credible performances..others, however, it's not quite the case...
Our latest face in Bollywood is Nargis Fakhri..another 'model turned actress' (whatever that's supposed to mean!). She was launched in Imtiaz Ali's Rockstar, starring opposite Ranbir Kapoor, and despite being an American citizen made her break into Bollywood without any prior acting experience! Many of us know her as a finalist on Americas Next Top Model, but other than a few shoots for high flying brand names..she was never really heard of. Imtiaz claims he was looking for a fresh face for his film, and was very much interested in Nargis because of her features. Even if she gave a poor audition, it seems as if she was cast in the film primarily based on her 'good looks' rather than the much needed talent!
Katrina Kaif has settled pretty well into the industry, and is recognised as one of the highest paid actresses of the film fraternity! Beautiful, fair, attractive she is...talented on the other hand, I'm skeptical about! I do think she is very deserving for her hard work and that has inevitably paid off. But how could someone unfamiliar with the language be given the chance to make her debut in a hindi film? Katrina Kaif also has a long modelling background behind her, which assisted her in being scouted for acting. Yet, seven years on her acting is still very much the same. She may have finally learnt to dub for her own films, but her lack of emotions and expressions on screen don't justify how she is one of the highest paid actresses of today! Her beauty must be working some charms, and I hope she does give a actress-worthy performance one day!
This is teen beauty paegent winner- Amy Jackson, who was launched in the film Ek deewana tha. Just to clarify, Amy is of British descent, who has lived in Liverpool all her life, till a beauty pageant changed her fate, and she entered Hollywood. No sorry, I mean Bollywood!! Surprised? So am I..without any understanding of the Hindi culture, experience in film or the language, Jackson made her break in a Hindi film release because of her good looks and beauty pageant win. Where's the talent in that?
Arjun Rampal, recently celebrated his 40th birthday and over a decade since he entered the film industry he still hasn't quite made his mark! His popularly known for his good looks, smile and height and was one of the strongest models in Mumbai before embarking on a career in acting. Whether this was the best decision, I'm not too sure about! He never really seems to give an amazing performance, and since he never really proved his acting skills in a lead role, we now regularly see him taking up minor roles- the ones we don't have to be so critical about!
John Abraham is the 'model turned actor' who looks as if he just walked out of GQ magazine every time we see him! He's a man on top of his physique and other than showing off his biceps, triceps and six pack, we are left questioning his acting skills. His best acting to date has to be in Dostana, where he was paired opposite Abhishek Bachchan. Next to Abhishek, however, John's performance lacked the same credibility and other than looking incredibly good, we can't seem to say the same about his much needed talent for acting! Should he have stuck to modelling?
As much as I am in favour of Bollywood embracing NRI's and given them an opportunity in film, I can't seem to understand why the film industry is taking their picks of new actors/actresses from beauty pageants and modelling campaigns. There are many fine acting schools across the world, where the young stars of tomorrow are training for a career within acting, yet somehow they are left behind, waiting!! Where the 'talented' should be seen making their big break in cinema, the 'attractive' seem to be taking that away from them, as Bollywood simply have no time to invest in new talent who do not have sex appeal!
Kin x
