For many of us, the possibility of dancing with Hrithik Roshan or acting opposite Priyanka Chopra seems like a distant dream. Some pursue the performing arts career path hoping to be part of a success story, although many fail to be recognised in the industry due to the lack of support. It’s lucky then for those few chosen students in Ealing, West London, who have been given the opportunity to be part of the first ever British Bollywood School.

Bollywood guru Anupam Kher, who starred in the Gurindar Chadha’s hit film Bend it like Beckham, and mentor to fellow actors has broadened his Indian based teaching programme, Actor Prepares, onto UK shores. His past students include the likes of Abhishek Bachchan, Deepika Padukone and Hritikh Roshan.

The school is open to those who are determined to succeed in what is one of the most broadest and competitive TV and Film industries in the world. The plan for the school is to develop skills of potentially talented actors and nurture them towards superstardom.

For three years Actor Prepares was solely an Indian based operation, but 2008 sees it focusing on its global brand, with the UK being its first focus of expansion. The school is currently in the process of auditioning students and hopes to even challenge the roles given to minorities in Britain. Heathrow City Partnerships will provide scholarships worth £6,000 each over a three month intensive course to those successful in the application stage and living in Heathrow, Wembley, Southall and Harrow.

In the schools proposals, it aims to offer the two most talented students a full refund of their fee in an attempt to create a competitive streak among the students - who not only have to win over their teachers but present themselves in a survival of the fittest scenario.

The classes will include exercises, theories, games and filmed practical workshops, with the addition of talks from Bollywood celebrities who will share their experiences and offer tips in order to achieve their full potential.

Even though, this should be an opportunity to mark the beginning of a new adventure for Brit-Desi hopefuls in Bollywood - the school doesn’t unfortunately provide any opportunities for the wider Asian community beyond that of West London.  Perhaps, it may venture and broaden in the future, but for the time being, many of us we still have to wait our turn.

For more information regarding Actor Prepares, you can visit their website on: www.actorprepares.co.uk

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