Evening gowns worn with hiking sandals and awkward dance movements. A field report from a European in a Bollywood studio

Anja Wasserbäech (THE TIMES OF INDIA; March 27, 2011) It is often said that the life of an actor or model is very boring, because they spend most of their time sitting around and waiting. It’s true. If you’ve ever worked as an extra on a Bollywood film, you’ll know they are right. Each of the 23 tourists standing in front of the McDonalds in Colaba was asked, “Do you wanna be in a Bollywood movie?”

We were told there would be money and food. Some were promised that they’d have their hair styled and face made up. So, there we sat sweating in a bus. We are the globetrotters and seekers of truth, the Indiainspired and Goa tourists.

For most, Mumbai is merely away station; for many the offer is tempting — not because of the meals or the 500 rupees, but for the chance to have a new experience, an experience that’s not listed in any of the tourist guides. “It’s an amusement,” as a Scot remarks. Little did I know that this was so common here. Over the next week, I was asked four more times to become an extra in a Bollywood movie.

The morning began with what we would be doing the most over the next thirteen hours: waiting. Poles, Swedes, Germans, Dutch, English and Scots, all waiting. Once we arrived at the studios in Bandra, we waited again — for our costumes. I refused to put on the very short, red frock, while the English More >