From Bollywood to Hollywood: 11 Actresses Who Made The Cut

Tabu is an Indian film actress who has primarily worked in Hindi films and has also appeared in English, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, Marathi and Bengali language films. Her international projects include a leading role in Mira Nair's drama "The Namesake" (2007) and a supporting role in Ang Lee's highly successful adventure film "Life of Pi" (2012).

The former Miss World is one of the most sought after actresses of Bollywood who began her Hollywood quest by starring as Alex Parrish in the American network drama series ‘Quantico’. After doing a volley of Bollywood flicks, she has bagged the coveted role of the antagonist in ‘Baywatch’, her first American film which is directed by Seth Gordon.

The "Mastani" of Bollywood and current reigning queen of Hindi cinema, Deepika Padukone is all set to to make a bang on debut in Hollywood with actor Vin Diesel in the latest installment of the Hollywood Film franchise "XXX". One of the most popular and highest-paid Indian celebrities, she has established a career in Hindi films, and is the recipient of several awards, including three Filmfare Awards.

The Indian actress and former model is one the most popular and high-profile celebrities in India. Considered to be one of the most beautiful women in the world, Aishwarya Rai lay her claim on Hollywood with films like "The Pink Panther 2" and "The Last Legion" and put herself in the international map. She played the character of criminology expert Sonia Solandres in Pink Panther 2. Her other Hollywood movies are “The Mistress of Spices” (2005) and “Bride and Prejudice” (2004).

Nargis Fakhri is an American model and actress who made her acting debut with the 2011 Bollywood film "Rockstar" and went on to star in Hindi films "Madras Cafe" (2013), "Main Tera Hero" (2014), and stepped up in the Hollywood film "Spy"(2015). The actress played the role of a special agent in the movie and did all the action sequences by herself without using a body double.

Tina Desai is an Indian actress and model who debuted In Bollywood with the 2011 Hindi thriller film "Yeh Faasley", and went on to star in the action comedy "Sahi Dhandhe Galat Bande" and thriller "Table No. 21" opposite Rajeev Khandelwal, before making her international debut in 2012 in the English comedy-drama "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel".

Mallika Sherawat is a former mode Indian actress. Known for her bold onscreen attitude, she debuted with Bollywood films like "Khwahish" (2003) and "Murder" (2004). She is one of the few Bollywood stars who managed to crossover to Hollywood with films like "Hisss" (2010) and "Politics of Love" (2011).

Lisa Rani Ray is an Indo-Canadian actress, model, television host, philanthropist and social activist. In 2001 , she appeared in the Bollywood film "Kasoor" alongside Aftab Shivdasani. In 2005, she appeared in the film "Water" and has starred alongside Sheetal Sheth in the romance films "I Can't Think Straight" and "The World Unseen".

The daughter of Nobel Laureate Amartya Sen, Nandana Sen is an international actress, screenwriter, children's author and child-rights activist. She has starred in over 20 feature films from multiple countries and in various languages. Her debut in Bollywood was the Rani Mukherjee and Amitabh Bachchan starrer Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Black (2005). In hollywood she did films like "Marigold", "The War Within", "Perfect Mismatch" etc.

Padma Lakshmi is an Indian-born American cookbook author, actress, model, television host and executive producer. In 2001 she did American movie "Glitter" with Mariah Carey and played Geeta in Paul Mayeda Berges' 2005 film "The Mistress of Spices". She starred in the 2003 Bollywood film "Boom" as one of a trio of super models accused of stealing diamonds. She has been the host of the US reality television program Top Chef since season two in 2006, for which she received a nomination for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Host for a Reality or Reality-Competition Program.

The stunning actress was a model as well as author and created waves internationally for her role as Lieutenant Ilia in the 1979 feature film "Star Trek: The Motion Picture". She made her Bollywood début in director K. A. Abbas's "Bambai Raat Ki Bahon Mein" (1967), playing the role of a cabaret singer Lily. Persis Khambatta became the first Indian citizen to present an Academy Award in 1980. She was nominated for Saturn Award for Best Actress for her role in Star Trek which led to roles in Nighthawks (1981), Megaforce (1982), Warrior of the Lost World (1983), and Phoenix the Warrior (1988).