Elnaaz Norouzi, best known for her role in Sacred Games, is gearing up for her first lead role in the Hollywood film Hotel Tehran, alongside Zachary Levi and Liam Neeson. After making her Hollywood debut in Kandahar (2023) with Gerard Butler, she is now focused on expanding her international career. Hotel Tehran is set for release in 2026, though details about the project remain under wraps.
Bollywood’s Unfair Treatment of Outsiders?
Despite starting her career in Bollywood, Elnaaz believes the Indian film industry is not always welcoming to outsiders. In a recent interview with Hindustan Times, she shared her struggles, highlighting that Bollywood’s casting process is not solely based on auditions or talent.
“Here, the industry isn’t always accepting of outsiders. Getting in is a challenge, along with learning the language and dance. Hindi is my sixth or seventh language, and I started acting in a language that wasn’t my first. That was my biggest challenge and still is,” she said.
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Comparing her experience with Hollywood, she added, “In the West, a good audition is enough for an actor to be recognised. It doesn’t work like that here. In Bollywood, casting decisions aren’t always based on auditions. Over there, it feels fair—whoever fits the role best gets chosen.”
Priyanka Chopra: A Source of Inspiration
Elnaaz also revealed that Priyanka Chopra has been a big inspiration for her Hollywood journey. She recently met Priyanka at her brother’s wedding and praised her for successfully balancing both Bollywood and Hollywood.
With her upcoming Hollywood projects, Elnaaz Norouzi continues to make a mark internationally while reflecting on the challenges faced by newcomers in Bollywood.
