The beginning of 2011 will see a crackerjack Hollywood dhamaka in apna desh. In January, a whole package of high-profile super-glamorous Hollywood stars will visit Mumbai.
Among them are actresses Cameron Diaz and Drew Barrymore, television producer-actor Tom Green, comic superstar Rob Schneider (The Hot Chick, Grown Ups) and producer John Schneider.
Crowe comes later
These H-Town celebrities are making the trip to India to announce their collaboration with Indian production company True Cinema. Russell Crowe will be playing the lead in one of the company's films, Amrit Kumbh.
However, he is expected to arrive later on.
Writer-director Sudipto Sen, who helms True Cinema, has been stationed in Los Angeles for the past two months. He confirms these developments, "In January we are expecting Cameron Diaz, Rob Schneider, John Schneider and Tom Green to announce our collaborative ventures.
They are also expected to be part of two annual Bollywood awards, the IIFA and the Apsara. Russell Crowe will be visiting India later. "
While Diaz will play the lead in a crossover romance with a Bollywood A-lister who's being kept under wraps (apparently Hrithik Roshan), Tom Green (from the TV series Jackass, Charlie's Angels, etc) will do a complete television series in collaboration with Sudipto's company.
Green is also planning a road movie to be shot across the heartland of India from January 2011. Rob Schneider has been finalised to star in two films.
Three-year deal
Confirming these details, Sudipto excitedly adds, "Our company has signed a three-year deal for five films: Indian Autumn, Amrit Kumbh, Gora, Devi and Legend Of Rafailov, with Hollywood-based studio Black Satellite and their production wing Media Distribution Partners.
Noted Hollywood based producer Raj Rahi, Shahrook Omer who produced White Night and Assad Khan have been the architects of this entire deal. "
He also confirms Cameron's visit to India, "Diaz and the entire Hollywood team will be visiting important Indian cities including Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata and Haridwar in January to formally announce the first ever Hollywood-Bollywood long term joint venture. "