Recession-hit British showbiz makes actors turn to India for roles

Melbourne, June 29: With recession hitting showbiz in the UK, British actresses and models are looking at India for livelihood. In the past three years, an estimated 1000 British actors and dancers have moved to Mumbai, The Age reports.

Hazel from Kent, who has been in the glamour industry of India for five years now, says: "You can lead such a great lifestyle in India. There is the constant begging, pollution and sleazy casting directors that you have to be careful of, but it`s all worthwhile … I`m almost famous! "I first did adverts for Ponds, Nokia and Samsung and then got my first proper role in a film in MP3." British actresses normally earn 1000 pounds a day in Mumbai while they never find themselves running out of new projects in Bollywood. Apart from recession, the other reason British talent is lured to India is the success of `Slumdog Millionaire`. Also to add is the India’s fascination with white skin. Debjoy Ray, of Globosport Modelling agency, said: "Ten years ago there were hardly any white girls working in Bollywood. Now they are everywhere. Indians have a liking for white skin and equate it with beauty.” ANI