I am interested in traveling long term in India and haven't found many details on working there. I currently live in Los Angeles and work in the film industry, I know very little about production in India but have read (lonely planet?) a few bleeps about working as an extra or production assistant on features but nothing concrete. I know how hard it is to work in film in the states, anybody know what it's like to work in India?
Besides production, I would be looking for any type of volunteer or work opportunities anywhere in India, I've volunteered with trekking companies and at schools in central america, is it similar at all to India.
I'm in the first stages of organizing an amazing travel and will appreciate ANY advice regarding keeping me in India for as long as I can.
Reply to this Hi,
A couple of my friends were picked up as bollywood extras this summer and it was apparently incredibly easy. They were just hanging around/shopping at Colaba Market in Mumbai and since they were foreign, a scout came up to them and asked if they were interested. You get paid 500 rupees a day (about 10 USD..but thats more than enough for india) and they got coffee and snacks..it was apparently incredibly boring and repetitive though..but nothing beats it for a quick and easy way to earn money (and food!) SO yeah, just hang around the Mcdonalds in Colaba market.
Reply to this Hello Rusty 😊
If you look Western and are hanging around Colaba, Mumbi then Bollywood will probably find you. They are often looking for Westeners to be extras which involves being filmed sitting in a Western style bar or something like that.
I agreed to let them film me once because I thought it might be interesting to be in a Bollywood movie. It is not something to do for the money. They pay Ok by Indian standards probably, but it is not a sum we would usually work 10 hours for. Instead of the Bollywood movie they put me in an embarassing hair dye commercial. Hopefully I wont go back to India this Christmas and see a 10 year old crumbing billboard of myself. :D
Anyway, be careful because not all those scouting for ''talent'' are honest.
Mel
Reply to this Thanks! This is great info! Look for me on the silver screen soon, I'll be in the background.
Can anyone suggest any good bollywood films to watch?
Reply to this Good ones!? I think one would need to have a taste for Bollywood films to like them. I found the ones I have seen a bit over dramatic. Maybe try Kama Sutra. I dont know the name of the producer or is it called the author or director.
Reply to this I believe you are referring to the Kama Sutra by Mira Nair, this is a good film. It reminds me of her first film about homeless children in Mumbai called Salaam Bombay, this is a great movie! Not a bollywood movie, meaning there aren't any song or dance numbers but it's a great look at Indian culture. I suggest it to all! But I really want to see some traditional bollywood (song and dance) movies.
Reply to this oh thats difficult..to get in there..try meeting some film houses operating there at Mumbai..the commerical movies are all about dance nos..u can try ur luck
Reply to this @Rambly...
if you want to see some bollywood movies that includes indian dance and song.. and story that reflects indian culture... then go for "kabhie khushi kabhie gham".... you can easily get the dvd at any store.... there is a long list of recommended movies that you will like ... but try this first...
Reply to this oh dont watch "kabhie khushi kabhie gham" the most horrible movie....of bollywood...the karan johar film...opened up good because of big star cast...but failed miserably in Indian Box office....try some other bollywood movies....
Reply to this Hey Rambley,
looking for Hindi movies huh !! hehe well you took back in memories more then 10 years. i used to be crazy about Bollywood movies, they are nice, i learnt the language for mthe movies and the songs. But not good as that time now. Well "Kabhie Khushi Khabie gham" is anice one as WILDPINTU said. You can also check "Mohabteen" for the same Actor "Sharoukh Khan". You can also check out these old old old movies ( 5 to 10 years back i guess): Akelee Hum Akelee Tum, Rangeela.
I cant remmber more at the moment 😊
Reply to this corrections :
"mohabbatein" movie name
"sharukh khan" actor name ..
"akele hum akele tum" movie name
do not watch that sob movie "kabhie khushi kabhie gham".. i repeat do not watch it.....it translated to "sometimes happiness sometimes sorrow"....the title says it all! 😉
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