Big in Bollywood (2011)

A feature documentary about a struggling American actor becoming famous in India.

In the Fall of 2009, my friends Tyler and Kenny met me for a burrito near my house and told me about our mutual friend Omi... and how he had landed a part in an upcoming Bollywood movie. The three of us ate dinner, and joked that we should go to India to accompany him at the film premiere. That night we bought the domain www.biginbollywood.com, and the concept for the documentary was born.

So in December of 2009, I went to Mumbai with three of my best friends and fellow filmmakers to follow the exploits of our friend Omi as he dipped into the exotic world of Bollywood fame. The film premiered on the 25th, and within a week, our previously unknown buddy from Palm Springs was the latest and greatest Indian celebrity. He spoke to audiences of thousands, his lines became catch phrases and ring-tones, and he became a household name in a matter of weeks. We followed his adventure, and the documentary offers a rare glimpse into the strange world of over-night success.

I had always heard that India was an amazing place to travel... but I was honestly never interested. In the process of filming the documentary, the four of us spent 8 weeks in India, and I came to understand what a magical place it is. Its a place of amazing contradictions; where everyone is simultaneously in a huge rush AND relaxed about never arriving at their destination. Its a deeply spiritual country obsessed with progress, a place where you'll see some of the most beautiful as well as some of the most painful visions of humanity that you'll ever see. I loved it.

links:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_mNDXTKS-U
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJiMiyQSPVY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g237jD-Tczk