Not only is the actress competing with three other hotties in the film, but also she is also not doing any Bollywood films!
When Deepika Padukone signed up for Vin Diesel’s xXx: The Return of Xander Cage, her fans and everyone who liked her films were ecstatic for her. And so were we!
After all, very few Indian actresses get to be the female lead in a mainstream Hollywood production. In the past, there was Aishwarya Rai Bachchan who went that step and was a part of couple of Hollywood projects like Bride and Prejudice and The Pink Panther 2. And of course, there is Priyanka Chopra who headlines a TV series of her own, and will also be playing a very important role in Baywatch.
So what is this xXx all about? It’s an actioner where Vin Diesel plays a daredevil secret agent (aren’t they all?) who is out to catch the bad guys, while coordinating with a mentor of sorts, played by Samuel L Jackson. The first part was a huge success and also established Vin as an action star. He didn’t return for the sequel, which replaced him with rapper Ice Cube, and the result was a disaster! Now Diesel, having tasted franchise success with Fast and the Furious, wants to revive the series with The Return of Xander Cage.
We understand why Deepika wants to be a part of this film, since it a huge project that will get her noticed in the West, and also she is acting opposite an A-lister. Again, while we are happy with Deepika’s decision to be a part of this sure-shot blockbuster, (and not to mention…she looks smoking hot in the released stills!) we still are concerned if this is the right career move for her. Perhaps we may be overthinking stuff, but here are 5 reasons, why we feel Deepika is taking a huge RISK with her debut Hollywood flick!
Hollywood has not been too kind to our desi girls in the past!
Sure, Hollywood has been looking to diversify its viewing audiences, especially when it comes to blockbusters, and India is in their area of interest. We get to see films like the Avengers even before it releases there. But when it comes to promoting Indian talent, the Western studios have been somewhat scroogy. I mentioned how Aishwarya Rai was a part of a couple of Hollywood flicks, but none helped in making a huge career for her there. Pink Panther 2 was critically drubbed, despite being a moderate success, killing the franchise there and then, while her film with Colin Firth, The Last Legion, was released straight to DVD. Mallika Sherawat, despite her boisterous claims, also barely lasted there with her ‘huge’ movie Hisss tanking big time! So Deepika, History wants us to be concerned about your move!
The previous xXx films aren’t exactly promoting their heroine’s talents!
Sure, you might not be expecting Deepika to deliver Oscar-worthy performance in a Vin Diesel film that’s all about cars and explosions, but how far can looking ravicious help your Hollywood career? In the first xXx, Asia Argento was Vin’s heroine, and she didn’t make it huge in Hollywood, despite having quite a following being a Scream Queen in her dad’s horror films. All she has to do is look hot and be a damsel in distress…but she still has the credit of being a sole heroine in the flick! Which brings us to…
Deepika has to compete with three other bombshells!
When Deepika was announced as the heroine of xXx, we were glad that she is going to be an important part of a blockbuster. However, the makers roped in Nina Dobrev (Vampire Diaries) and Ruby Rose (Orange is the New Black) also in the cast. Both the actresses have their huge loyal set of fan following and are also competent actresses. Deepika now has to compete with them in standing out, be it looks, role as well as impact. Just when we thought the competition was settled, they went on signed former Miss Colombia, Ariadna Gutiérrez, to play Vin Diesel’s love interest! Too much hotness in one film that we are beginning to sweat!
Deepika hasn’t signed any Bollywood films yet!
Yes, Karan Johar had announced that Deepika will be a part of one of his productions in the near future, but no other details including the other cast and crew were revealed. Therefore, this could take some time to launch. In the meantime, Deepika hasn’t signed any other Bollywood flicks, and not a single film of hers in releasing this year. xXx itself will release next, and God forbids, if the film bombs and she goes unnoticed, it will be a huge waste of time and potential for the actress!
Face it, xXx is no Fast and Furious!
Sure, the first xXx was a hit, but the second was a huge disaster that killed the franchise. Yes, Vin Diesel was not a part of the film, but the damage was done. Now he is trying to revive the dead franchise through his box office appeal, which he got thanks to the Fast and the Furious franchise (which got a shot of adrenaline thanks to Dwayne Johnson’s presence from the fifth film!). However, an important fact to notice is that most of his films outside F&F franchise have not been huge hits, including the Riddick trilogy. So there’s there…
Do you think Deepika is taking a huge risk with her Hollywood debut? Let us know in the comments section below…
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