Foreign investment of Bollywood

Many young actors who are set to make their Bollywood debuts have trained at international film academies. We analyse the trend

In the coming few months, Bollywood will witness a wave of young, new talent.



While the success of their debut films will eventually decide their standing in the industry, it is interesting to see that many of them have been trained in acting at foreign academies before they try their luck in the film industry back home.



"Acting is like any other profession. If someone wants to be a banker, they will start by first studying finance. Similarly, it is important to learn the basics of acting before entering the film industry. Although creativity is an innate talent, it is equally important to shape and define it through practice and tutoring," says actor Mohit Marwah, who will make his debut in Akshay Kumar’s production,

Talking about why he decided to train at the Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute, New York, USA, the actor says, "I wanted to get some international inspiration. I wanted to understand the methods that Indian and international performers imbibe in their acting," says the actor, who also studied film-making at the Noida-based Asian Academy of Film & Television. "I believe the knowledge of filmmaking helps an actor immensely," he adds.



Director Kabir Sadanand, who is launching four newcomers with , feels formal training helps an actor inculcate professionalism. "New actors need to prove their talent in the first shot. They are required to be very professional. Although acting cannot be taught, aspiring artistes need to brush up their skills. There are many established actors who have studied abroad. I believe that a formal training reflects in your performance."

Training is also great practice for actors, feel experts. "One cannot afford to practise when the film is on the floors. Actors, nowadays, have to prove that they are the best choice for the role. Training gives an actor confidence; they learn how to speak, react and behave in front of the camera," says trade expert Vinod Mirani.



Actor: Mohit Marwah

Trained at: Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute, New York

Project: The actor will be seen as one of the protagonists in Akshay Kumar’s production, Fugly, which is directed by Kabir Sadanand.

Actor: Athiya Shetty

Trained at: New York Film Academy

Project: She will reprise Meenakshi Sheshadri’s role in the remake of the 1983 Jackie Shroff starrer, Hero, opposite Sooraj Pancholi.







Actor: Isabel Kaif

Trained at: Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute, New York

Project: Isabel has signed Jean-Francois Poulliot’s film, Dr Cabbie, which is produced by her sister Katrina Kaif’s alleged ex-beau, Salman Khan.







Actor: Aadar Jain

Trained at: Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute, New York

Project: Aadar, who is assisting Farah Khan on the upcoming film Happy New Year, is likely to be launched as an actor by an established production house.

Actor: Armaan Jain

Trained at: Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute, New York

Project: He assisted Karan Johar on Student Of The Year (2012) and will be making his debut as an actor in director Dinesh Vijan’s