15 times we have seen an Indian origin actor do wonders in Hollywood

There are numerous times when we have seen an Indian origin actor do wonders in Hollywood movies and series.

Some of them have mesmerized the audience of their homeland with their performances; these prominent Indian actors have also proceeded to take their magic overseas and achieve international recognition. Many of them are also based in the USA and have primarily worked in Hollywood.

It is high time indeed that, the diversity and inclusion in Hollywood gets more expansive and nuanced, and a genuine representation is one of the key forms of challenging such hegemonical structures. However, in the upcoming years, we are hopeful of witnessing more such stunning Hollywood debuts by many more prominent Indian actors who undoubtedly are going to shine on the silver screen of Hollywood. Here is a list of 15 Indian-origin actors who have done wonders in Hollywood:

1. Amrish Puri

Legendary Indian actor the late Amrish Puri is loved by generations of Indian fans for primarily his iconic villainous roles in Hindi cinema in movies like Mr. India (1987). However, Amrish Puri starred in Steven Spielberg's action film Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984). In this second installment of the Indiana Jones movie series, Puri starred in the role of Mola Ram, a gangster priest who engages in rituals incorporating human sacrifices.

2. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan

One of the most popular actors in India and a Global icon, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan has been cast in multiple Hollywood projects such as Bride and Prejudice (2004), Mistress of Spices (2005), Provoked (2006), The Last Legion (2007), Pink Panther 2 (2009) and has also lent her voice for Angelina Jolie in Maleficent: Mistress of Evil (2019) in its Hindi dubbed version. She has won immense recognition for starring in critically acclaimed Indian movies, including Iruvar (1997), Taal (1999), Devdas (2002), and many more.

3. Kal Penn

American actor Kalpen Suresh Modi, or Kal Penn, is most famous for his roles in TV series such as House (2007-2009, 2012), Designated Survivor (2016-2019), How I Met Your Mother (2011-2014) and his most popular film series Harold and Kumar (2004-2011). Apart from his Hollywood pursuits, Penn has also worked in the White House for the administration of former US President Barack Obama.

4. Amitabh Bachchan

The veteran superstar has charmed his audience in India for decades in movies like Anand (1971), Zanjeer (1973), Deewaar (1975), Sholay (1975), Amar Akbar Anthony (1977), and Don (1978). But he has also graced his presence in Hollywood by starring in the role of a gambler named Meyer Wolfsheim in the romantic historical film The Great Gatsby (2013), alongside a star cast including Leonardo DiCaprio, Tobey Maguire, Carey Mulligan, Joel Edgerton, Jason Clarke, and many more.

5. Dev Patel

American Actor Dev Patel is well known for his work in several Hollywood projects, and he has also bagged nominations at the Academy Awards and Golden Globe Awards as well. His most notable films include Slumdog Millionaire (2008), The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2011), The Last Airbender (2010), Lion (2016), and his latest directorial debut, Monkey Man (2024).

6. Priyanka Chopra Jonas

After enthralling the people of India with her powerful performances, this Bollywood star and the Miss World 2000 winner has furthered her glory in several Hollywood films and shows too, namely in Quantico (2015-2018), Baywatch (2017), Isn't It Romantic (2019), The Matrix Resurrections (2021), and Citadel (2023- present). She has also done voicework for Pixar's Planes back in 2013 for the character of Ishaani.

7. Naseeruddin Shah

After creating a remarkable legacy in his homeland, the prominent veteran actor appeared in the 2003 movie The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, along with Sean Connery, Shane West, Stuart Townsend, and many more. He essayed the role of skillfully gifted swordsman and Captain of the Nautilus "Nemo." In India, some of his most revered films include Sparsh (1980), Masoom (1983), Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro (1983), Ijaazat (1987), Monsoon Wedding (2001), A Wednesday! (2008), etc., to name a few.

8. Kunal Nayyar

This Indian and British actor has been widely popular for starring as Raj Koothrapalli in the TV sitcom The Big Bang Theory (2007-2019). He has also lent his voice to the character of Vijay in the animated sitcom Sanjay and Craig (2013-2019) and in Spaceman (2024), amongst many others. Kunal Nayyar has also been involved in theatre productions, namely Huck and Holden (2006), Love's Labour's Lost (2006), and The Spoils (2015 and 2016).

9. Tabu

Hailed as one of Indian cinema's most successful and brilliant actors, Tabu has made her Hollywood presence in Ang Lee's Life of Pi (2012) and in her most recent sci-fi television series, Dune: Prophecy (2024-present), in the role of Sister Francesca, starring along with Emily Watson, Olivia Williams, Travis Fimmel, Jodhi May, and many more. In her motherland, she has won hearts in many acclaimed films such as Maachis (1996), Maqbool (2004), The Namesake (2006), Haider (2014), and Andhadhun (2018).

10. Irrfan Khan

The late Irrfan Khan is remembered as one of the most notable actors in Indian film history ever. He went on to become a Global icon by starring in several Hollywood movies such as Slumdog Millionaire (2008), Life of Pi (2012), The Amazing Spiderman (2012), Jurassic World (2015), and Inferno (2016). Some of the most iconic roles of Irrfan in Indian cinema are notably Maqbool (2003), The Namesake (2006), Talvar (2015), Piku (2015), etc.

11. Ali Fazal

Indian actor Ali Fazal has intrigued the Indian audience with his stellar performances, and has also been part of some Hollywood movies as well. He starred in films such as Furious 7 (2015), Victoria and Abdul (2017), and his most recent being Death on the Nile (2022) and Kandahar (2023). Ali Fazal has won hearts in India with his presence in the Fukrey film series (2013-present), the TV series Mirzapur (2018-2024), and the 2023 film Khufiya.

12. Deepika Padukone

Popular Indian actor Deepika Padukone has also bagged a role in a Hollywood movie as well, in the 2017 commercially successful action thriller film XXX: Return of Xander Cage, starring opposite Vin Diesel, along with Donnie Yen, Kris Wu, Ruby Rose, Tony Jaa, Nina Dobrev, etc, in the role of Serena Unger. However, she is iconic for her roles in Bollywood films Om Shanti Om (2007), Chennai Express (2013), Bajirao Mastani (2015), Padmavat (2018), Pathaan (2022), and Jawan (2023).

13. Randeep Hooda

This noted actor, who is known for his captivating performances in the Hindi film industry, made his Hollywood debut in the 2020 Sam Hargrave movie Extraction. He starred along with Chris Hemsworth, Rudhraksh Jaiswal, Pankaj Tripathi, and many others. Some of Hooda's best performances in Indian films include Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai (2010), Saheb, Biwi Aur Gangster (2011), Highway (2014), Main Aur Charles (2015), Sarbjit (2016), and so on.

14. Alia Bhatt

Alia Bhatt has made her Hollywood debut in the 2023 Netflix action spy thriller Heart of Stone. Directed by Tom Harper, she starred in the role of Keya Dhawan along with Gal Gadot, Jamie Dornan, Sophie Okonedo, and many others. In India, she has reached heights of success in booming box office and critical hits, including Highway (2014), Udta Punjab (2016), Raazi (2018), Gully Boy (2019), Gangubai Kathiawadi (2022), etc.

15. Ishaan Khatter

Indian actor Ishaan Khatter has recently made his Hollywood debut in the drama mystery miniseries Perfect Couple (2024) in the role of Shooter Dival. He joined the star-studded cast of Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Eve Hawson, Billy Howle, Meghann Fahy, and several others. He has been part of successful Indian films and TV series, namely Beyond the Clouds (2017), Dhadak (2018), A Suitable Boy (2020), and Pippa (2023).