Sobhita Dhulipala, Tabu, Ishaan Khatter: 2024 a breakthrough year for Indian Stars in Hollywood |

2024 has proven to be a landmark year for Indian actors in Hollywoodwith several talents taking on pivotal roles in international films and web series. This year has seen a remarkable surge in Indian talent featuring in prominent international projects, solidifying the global appeal of Indian cinema and its artists. With names like Tabu, Sobhita Dhulipala, Ishaan Khatterand Ali Fazal leading the charge, Bollywood actors have showcased their versatility across genres ranging from sci-fi epics like ‘Dune: Prophecy‘ to Netflix dramas like ‘The Perfect Couple’. These projects are doubling up as the film industry’s broader shift towards diversity and inclusion, where Indian characters and stories are being embraced like never before.
This cultural crossover is not limited to a few breakout performances. It also spans blockbuster franchises such as ‘Mission: Impossible 8‘ and critically acclaimed narratives like ‘Monkey Man’, directed by Dev Patel. Additionally, the growing presence of Indian characters in global phenomena like the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the global hit series ‘Bridgerton’ underlines Hollywood’s recognition of India as a creative powerhouse.
As we look back on the milestones achieved in 2024, it becomes evident that this year has not only opened doors for Indian actors but also laid a foundation for stronger cultural exchange between Hollywood and Bollywood. Audiences can now look forward to a new era of representation, with Indian artists and narratives becoming integral to the global entertainment landscape.
Indian Actors In Hollywood Projects

Sobhita Dhulipala – In Dev Patel’s directorial debut, ‘Monkey Man’, Sobhita took on the leading lady’s role, co-starring with Sikander Kher, who also made his Hollywood debut in this high-octane action.

Ishaan Khatter – The Bollywood hunk made his Hollywood debut in Netflix’s limited series ‘The Perfect Couple’. In the series, Khatter shared the screen with acclaimed actors like Nicole Kidman and Liev Schreiber.

Tabu – The star, known for her nuanced performances in Indian cinema, will be seen taking on the tole of Sister Francesca in the prequel to the ‘Dune’ saga.

Banita Sandhu – The actress joined the ton with her supporting role in Netflix’s widely celebrated Regency drama, Bridgerton Season 3bringing South Asian representation to the forefront.
Adarsh Gourav – After his breakthrough in The White Tiger, is set to step into Ridley Scott’s Alien universe. The prequel series explores the events preceding the iconic original film by 70 years.
Ali Fazal – The actor who has a bunch of Hollywood films to his credit, now takes the lead in ‘Afghan Dreamers;, a film directed by two-time Oscar winner Bill Guttentag.
Avneet Kaur – The actress became only the second Indian actor after Anil Kapoor to join the stellar cast of the ‘Mission: Impossible’ franchise. She will be seen in ‘Dead Reckoning Part Two’, sharing the screen with Tom Cruise.
Neha Dhupia – The actress is also set to make her international debut in ‘Blue 52’, a drama directed by Egyptian filmmaker Ali El Arabi.
Representation In Hollywood
The growing emphasis on diversity in the film industry is transforming the landscape for actors, creators, and audiences worldwide. Indian actors or characters of Indian origin are not only playing a pivotal role but also landing opportunities to bring authentic representation to global screens.
Priyanka Chopra, who is making her way in Hollywood, shared in a recent interview with fashion magazine Vogue India, “It’s not just about making films for me; it’s about fostering a cultural shift towards recognising and celebrating the multifaceted experiences of women.”
Bridging The Gap
As Bollywood stars increasingly feature in Hollywood projects, their experiences highlight the universal nature of filmmaking and the importance of collaboration. In a chat with ETimes, Ishaan Khatter, who made his Hollywood debut with ‘The Perfect Couple’, emphasised the shared essence of working across industries. Reflecting on his experience, the actor remarked, “Every experience working with an actor or director is different. Every actor and director are inherently different. They bring what is uniquely their own to the table.”
He further added, “Every experience is different regardless of race, creed, nationality, whatever. Industry, it’s the same.”
Actor Karan Soni, known for his role in the ‘Deadpool’ series, shared his insights into the meticulous process behind Hollywood productions. Opening up to us about the challenges actors face and the preparation required, he stated, “Making movies and TV is stressful and expensive. There’s often a lot of pressure, and if you are prepared and kind, it will work. I think people will hire you again.” He pointed out that movies like ‘Deadpool and Wolverine’ take years of planning, saying, “That project was in the works for five years before it began filming.”
Soni also stressed the importance of being professional on set, noting that actors need to recognise the effort invested behind the scenes: “If you come prepared, all the stressed-out people behind the cameras can say, ‘I like this person; they are good at their job and they know their lines.'”
Challenges Actors Face While Landing International Projects
For Bollywood actors, breaking into the international landscape presents unique challenges that extend beyond talent and skill. From logistical hurdles to the complexities of global casting processes, actors must navigate multiple barriers.
Ishaan tells us, “The biggest challenge, of course, is the fact that I’m based out of India. So it’s just a matter of convenience for them. It’s already a kind of a large and very reassuring step on their behalf to cast an actor out of India because they have options, obviously, in the West. So to be able to be based out of here and live here and still kind of have a foot in the door in the West is obviously the biggest challenge.”
For actors like Banita Sandhu, the road to landing international roles also involves navigating the often unpredictable auditioning process. Speaking about her experience joining ‘Bridgerton’, she revealed, “I auditioned for the show in the summer of 2022, a whole year before AP’s video came out. I was actually on a holiday with my family, and my agent sent me a soft tape. Luckily, I had a tripod in my suitcase; I quickly shot my video, and within two days, I was told, ‘You are booked.’ So I had to wrap my holiday early, which I was more than happy to do as I went straight to costume trials and then on the sets. It was an incredibly quick turnaround.”
In addition to logistical challenges, Bollywood actors often confront preconceived notions about Indian cinema and its talent pool. Historically, roles offered to Indian actors were limited to stereotypical portrayals. However, as global audiences embrace diverse stories, this perception is gradually evolving.
Audience Reaction
Indian actors making their mark on international platforms have been moved by the overwhelming support from audiences. Speaking about the audience’s excitement on seeing her in ‘Bridgerton’, Banita said, “It has been overwhelming. The loveliest part of the response has been from the audience in India, how proud they are to see one of their own on such a big show. I think that’s what has touched my heart the most.”
Karan Soni, who voiced an Indian Spider-Man in ‘Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse’, shared his reflections on the impact of portraying such an iconic character. “What’s been really emotional is people really love that character. I was a fan of Spider-Man when I was a kid, but it is cool to be a part of something that affects young people that much and moves them because that’s the purest reaction you’ll ever get,” he said.
Speaking on the responsibility he feels in representing the character, Soni added, “I feel lucky to be asked back to do a little bit more of that.”
Going Global
While Indian actors in front of the camera often garner widespread recognition, talents like Norman Joseph are making equally significant strides behind the scenes. A creative force from Mumbai, Joseph has risen to become the General Technical Director for Disney’s latest animated blockbuster, Moana 2. His journey from Bollywood to Hollywood exemplifies the growing influence of Indian professionals in technical and creative roles on a global scale.
Despite his impressive contributions, public recognition in Hollywood often centres around actors like Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Priyanka Chopra, and Deepika Padukonecelebrated for pioneering roles in international cinema. Joseph, however, remains focused on the bigger picture. Reflecting on his work and the importance of Indian talent making a mark internationally, he said, “I really believe in making an impact. If an artist from India will make an impact on a content or movie in America, that is amazing. If I am making an impact in a movie that we are creating, that is amazing. We should continue going global and making a global impact. And that is helping everybody.”