In most of Europe, Bollywood films are living in the shadows and frequently have to deal with stereotypes. I have met quite a few people that say they do not like Indian films due to the 'interrupting' song and dance sequences. However, on enquiry most of them had to admit that they have actually never seen a Bollywood film. One result of this generalisation is the neglect of a variety of very well produced mainstream and independent films from the subcontinent.
At least for Germany, things might change soon. This autumn, Shahrukh Khan, Priyanka Chopra and other well known Indian actors came to Berlin to shoot the sequel for the 2006 blockbuster "Don – The Chase Begins Again". After this was announced last summer, it did not take me long to find the local casting agency and eventually, I got booked as an extra for "Don 2".
It is no coincidence that the producers decided to shoot in Germany. The local market for Bollywood film is flourishing: in the last five to 10 years, more and more Indian films were released on DVDs. They are shown on TV and Bollywood blockbuster premieres at the Berlin International Film Festivals. There are Bollywood parties, magazines, dance classes, film festivals and fan clubs. And when Shahrukh Khan comes to Berlin, for film premieres or, as recently, for shooting, fans wait for him at the airport, scream at the red carpet and camp in front of the hotel.
However, Bollywood films hardly make it into cinema for regular releases. It will be different with "Don 2" which is expected to be released in German cinemas, not least because the project was partially initiated and funded by Berlin's city marketing and film funding agencies.
Something special about the Bollywood phenomenon in Germany is the binary fragmentation of the audience. On one hand, there are the highbrow film festivals, newspaper features and an intellectual examination of Indian popular culture. Films are shown on cultural TV channels in between opera recordings and documentary features. On the other hand, films are shown on popular channels as well, in between American drama and reality TV. Fans are mostly female and celebrate the rather simple elements of Bollywood films: their colourfulness and romance.
Similar motives could be found among the large group of extras on the set for "Don 2". After I received the short notice to attend the shoot, I went to sleep early as I had to get myself out of bed at 4.30am. First lesson, the film business is not for late risers. I made it in time and found myself amongst almost 100 other extras.
There were people for whom the job provided an additional income. These were mostly pensioners or housewives, some students and artists as well. Then there was a small group of amateur and professional actors that had been booked as extras. I was amused at how they tried to distinguish themselves from the others. A third group consisted of people who participated for curiosity and excitement, who have everyday jobs and wanted to know what a film set is like. Interestingly, most of these extras had never heard of Shahrukh Khan, quite opposite to the last group – the Bollywood fans!
Second lesson, to be an extra means waiting for long periods of time. This, it seems, is unavoidable in a production of this size. People would sit and lie in the lounge, chat, read, do puzzles, eat, watch films, smoke, sleep. Some even brought camping armchairs and blankets. But then, all of a sudden, a few of us were needed. We were curious as much as we were tired. For our scene, we had to look frightened and shocked. I tried to visualise what would happen and to get a certain expression onto my face. Although, my only acting experience stems from a school play 20 years ago. Ironically, on the way to the set we got stuck in an elevator. After these fierce minutes, looking frightened was a bit easier to accomplish.
So finally we went into operation. It was a huge outdoor set involving Sharukh Khan and a crew of several dozen people. As one might imagine, a film like "Don" includes lots of cars, pyrotechnics and weaponry. It was a thrill worth the wait. Unfortunately, I can't reveal any more details, which brings me to my third lesson: as an extra you have to keep secrets to yourself.
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