Bollywood movie extra, film tour, how to thread

IMs Bollywood movie extra, and film set tour, how to thread... (not sure to post this in Mumbai, or Movies forum?)

Every few months or so someone asks the same questions about the possibility of going on a Bollywood Movie Tour, or stuff about Bollywood, Mumbai, Film City, or the ins and outs of being a Bollywood movie extra. And of course the million dollar question, How do I meet Shahrukh Khan or Sridevi?

So I have compiled here some general threads on India Mike that in the past have already gone over all of these questions and have given answers and direct insight into the Mumbai Bollywood scene. These threads and the links in them are I think some of the best resources on the web on the travel Bollywood experience.

If anyone has anymore links to add please do post them. This thread is meant to be a resource for the potential Mumbai traveler, on how to see and do things Bollywood there. Also links or personal experiences with being a Bollywood extra, having gone on a film set tour, or meeting a Bollywood star, are welcome on this thread.

Please refrain from posting questions about Bollywood already answered in the links on this thread. Please refrain from posting off topic conversations on this thread.

thread=5700 "[how do I do it?] Anyone been in a Bollywood movie?"
Anyone been in a Bollywood movie?

thread=11541"[are there] Bollywood Back-lot tours?"
Bollywood backlot tours?

thread=12654 "[So how do I become a star in Bollywood?] Working in Mumbai (Bollywood)?"
Working in Mumbai (Bollywood)?

thread=22867 "[what a Bollywood casting call looks like] extras needed, aamir khan's the rising, mumbai Feb/Mar "
http://www.indiamike.com/india/books-music-and-movies-f4/extras-needed-aamir-khans-the-rising-mumbai-feb-mar-t3677/#post22867

thread=12040 "[Seeing DDLJ in Mumbai] Bollywood movie runs 500 weeks in same theater ! "
Bollywood movie runs 500 weeks in same theater !

thread=3914 "[Bollywood movie sighting] filming bollywood movie in jaisalmer "
filming bollywood movie in jaisalmer

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Good work, Byronic. Now everyone can direct all movie querries to this post.

Hello,

My girl friend and me, we re heading to india in october, she is a dancer and she would like to know if it would be possibel to get a job acting/dancing in a bollywood movie. Where is the best place to go, where to ask? How much pay can we expect? is it easy to find? etc....
Has anyone worked as a dancer before? how was it? etc...

Thanks a lot
felix

You could try this - on the movie forum at Bollywhat.com, look for posts by someone called Bombay Gora, a nice British guy who's been living in Bombay, working in films, and writing about it - and PM him. I think he might be able to offer helpful advice.

I was staying at the Salvation Army hotel in Mumbai. Some guy kept coming around the hotel in the morning looking for film extras. I had a free day and went with another couple of tourists. After an hour long taxi ride, we arrived at an empty hanger near the airport with a TV movie set inside. It kinda sucked. Although I was called to really ACT: a speaking roll, looking surprised, running around in a police uniform, we spent most of the time in a small room with air conditioning and no window. Very low budget. They didn't give us any drinkable water, especially after sweating profusely, there were no Pepsi stands nearby and I got deathly ill on the food they served (I should have taken the hint when the Indians wouldn't even eat it!) I even went home early! Besides this, it was fascinating!

Getting work on this informal basis is possible, but not lucrative.

Be smart, prepare (bring lots of water) and try to get as much info as possible before embarking!

I though having that skill disqualified people from appearing in Bollywood movies!

It sounds like a very disappointingly un-entertaining day. Did you get paid for it?

I've heard of several people getting bit parts or being used as extras - but to get a serious role you need to do the following;

1. Be related to a Bollywood director/actor
2. there is no 2

I know one German guy here in Poona who has done many extra roles (or how do you call it?) in Bollywood, he could be of help .... now wait till I try and remember his name ...

Here's the definitive article:

http://dir.salon.com/story/ent/movie...man/index.html

You can also email the author:

http://www.saja.org/members/profiles/annacara.html

There is a number 2: be beautiful and available.

But it is just as likely to get you only used rather than into a film.

or be willing to be scantily dressed to be used in an item number. Get your portfolio ready and post it here for IM member approval

That article is terrific!!

Just for the record, at least one major Bollywood star has no film business relatives - ShahRukh Khan.

On the other hand, here in New York I have never met anyone from Bombay who did not have a relative in the film business, so you might argue that the opportunities are not as limited as they might appear to be.

I have been an extra on a Bollywood movie that was filmed in New York - several times, actually. I think the best reason to do it is if you like Bollywood and want to get an insider's view; possibly the least good reason, payoff-wise, is to to try to make money.

I think I got paid about USD60/day, plus decent meals.

Some of the movies are really good. Off the top of my head Dor, Chandni Bar, Company, Omkara, Guru Dutt's movies. My friend swears by Teen Deewarein and Satya.

I guess just like any other industry only a few products are very good or excellent.

Thanks for posting all of this information guys! I was recently in a Bollywood film but it was shot in New York. The pay and the conditions were a lot better (due to the fact it was shot in the U.S., no doubt). I just blogged about it here:

http://travelerdiaries.wordpress.com...xtra/#more-482

What about if I want a main role in a film?