The idea to capture the Chinese movie market by casting native actors is something that appeals to filmmakers in both Hollywood and Bollywood. With China accounting for 20 per cent of the world population, the idea is gaining steam as more global projects make their way across. While Vin Diesel has assembled a global cast for his upcoming film XXX: The Return of Xander Cage, which includes Hong Kong actor Donnie Yen and Indian superstar Deepika Padukone, similar moves are also being made in India as well.
The idea to capture the Chinese movie market by casting native actors is something that appeals to filmmakers in both Hollywood and Bollywood. With China accounting for 20 per cent of the world population, the idea is gaining steam as more global projects make their way across. While Vin Diesel has assembled a global cast for his upcoming film XXX: The Return of Xander Cage, which includes Hong Kong actor Donnie Yen and Indian superstar Deepika Padukone, similar moves are also being made in India as well.
One prime example is the third collaboration between Salman Khan and controversial director Kabir Khan, tentatively titled Tubelight which will take this idea forward by having cast Chinese actress Zhu Zhu as Khan’s leading lady in the film.
The film has created a lot hype since it was announced not just because Khan will be essaying the role of a man-child with special needs but also because it was rumoured that the film will finally lead to the never-before-seen pairing of Salman Khan with one Deepika Padukone. However, it’s now been confirmed that Zhu Zhu will star in the film. And the actress, on her part, is thrilled by the prospect. Taking to Twitter, she shared a picture with Khan and tweeted, “On top of the palace with Mr Salman khan @ Leh Ladakh”.
To play the part, the Chinese star took classes in Hindi before joining Khan for shooting in Ladakh. The title of the film meanwhile refers to Salman’s character in the film. Dubbed as a cross-border love story between an Indian man and a Chinese woman, Tubelight is set against the backdrop of the Indo-China 1962 war and is slated to release on Eid, next year.
