Did you know these Bollywood stars were NOT born in India?
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Ever notice how they've taken the entire country by storm but quite a few of Bollywood's reigning stars weren't even born in India. Some, of course, are pretty foreigners trying their fortune in the song and dance filled universe of Hindi films.
Bottom-line: In Bollywood, it hardly matters where you were born or what nationality as long as you are talented or successful.
Here's looking at the born-outside-India stars of the industry.
Deepika Padukone
Daughter of badminton star Prakash Padukone and travel agent Ujjala, Deepika was born in Danish capital, Copenhagen, since her father was undergoing an extensive training session. They moved back to India when she was barely a month short of turning one.
Fortune has favoured the leggy star ever since she made her debut opposite Shah Rukh Khan in Om Shanti Om and looks poised for another money-spinner in the duo's upcoming Chennai Express.
Katrina Kaif
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Born to a Kashmiri father and British mother in Hong Kong (she shares this in common with yesteryear cutie Neelam), Katrina lived in places like Hawaii and London before shifting base to Mumbai and becoming one of the biggest success stories of Bollywood.
Kaif didn't know a word of Hindi when she made an embarrassing debut in Kaizad Gustaad's Boom only to make it to the top league and work with the likes of Yash Chopra, Subhash Ghai, Rajkumar Santoshi, Prakash Jha, Zoya Akhtar, Ram Gopal Varma and Karan Johar.
Imran Khan
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Imran Khan was born in Wisconsin, USA but moved to India after his parents -- Ajit Pal and Nuzhat Khan -- got divorced.
He did revisit the country of his birth to pursue further education but decided to return and began a career as an actor in his mamu Aamir Khan's home production, Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Naa.
Not letting his school boy looks stop him from experimenting, Khan is dabbling with unusual characters in films like Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola and Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai Dobaara.
Sunny Leone
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The Canada-born Sikhni was already a huge name in the adult entertainment sector before her stint in Bigg Boss season five, which memorably caught filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt's eye.
The upshot turned out to be a central role in Jism 2 and the soon-to-release Ragini MMS sequel.
Jacqueline Fernandez
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Bollywood's idea of Athithi Devo Bhav is Sri Lankan beauty Jacqueline Fernandez landing some meaty assignments in franchises like Murder 2, Housefull 2 and Race 2.
The stunner is all set to romance Salman Khan in the superstar's upcoming potboiler, Kick.
Sasheh Aagha
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Pakistani actress and singer Salma Agha may not have made much of an impact in her debut, Aurangzeb despite all that skin show.
But the London-born maiden, original name Zara, fares rather well behind the microphone.
Evelyn Sharma
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The actress, who made debut with a dud like From Sydney With Love, finally has a reason to flash those lovely pearlies. Her last release is one of the biggest blockbusters of the year already, Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani.
Evelyn Sharma, as her name suggests, is half-India and half-German and was born Frankfurt, Germany and completed her education in United Kingdom before finding her true calling in the glamorous world of films.
Sarah Jane Dias
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Interestingly, Sarah Jane Dias, who made her Bollywood debut opposite Abhishek Bachchan in Game and won the Femina Miss India title in 2007, wasn't born here.
Since her father was working in Muscat, Oman at that time, Dias lived there till she was a teenager and returned only to finish college in Mumbai. A beauty pageant and career in movies followed soon enough.
my Jackson
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The light-eyed beauty is as British as they get. But that hasn't dissuaded filmmakers down South and Mumbai from casting her in Hindi, Tamil or Telugu confections.
Linked for long with her Ek Tha Deewana co-star Prateik Babbar, the 22-year old hottie is looking forward to her first Telugu release Yevadu co-starring Ram Charan Teja and Shruti Haasan.
Nargis Fakhri
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The starlet with the most infamous pout played the centre of Ranbir Kapoor's universe in Imtiaz Ali's Rockstar. But did you know the 33 year old is half Czech and half Pakistani and was born in New York City?
Fakhri will be seen next in a special appearance for Shahid Kapoor-starrer Phata Poster Nikla Hero followed by Shoojit Sircar's Madras Cafe co-starring John Abraham.
Monica Dogra
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New York born Monica Dogra made everyone sit up and notice in Kiran Rao's directorial debut Dhobi Ghat. The hip Shaair + Func singer has since made a splash in Bejoy Nambiar's stylish David as Neil Nitin Mukesh's volatile love interest.
Recently, she was in news for Sabal Shekhawat indie Fireflies, screened at her home turf (New York Indian Film Festival) also starring Rahul Khanna and Arjun Mathur.
rediff.com
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