Bollywood in Polish

What connects Poland with the Bollywood films "Cheene Kum" and two other yet unnamed multi-star productions? Dorota Lopatynska de Slepowron - the blond beauty from Vistula. The Polish painter, fashion designer and lately actress, who has begun to steal hearts of the Indian viewers.
Monday the 4th of September. Just after 8am at Speakers Corner of Hyde Park. Film production crew appear in their cars for filming of "Cheeni Kum" (Less sugar). The cameramen, sound engineers and producers leisurely get ready to work. Three hours later, hardly any progress can be seen. But nobody is worried about this. This is typical of Bollywood films. In spite of the fact that about 2.5 million people work in the Bollywood film industry in India and more than 1000 films are produced annually, the Indians are never in a rush. What is interesting that even the most expensive productions rarely have any precise script.
We rarely know what will exactly happen next day at the studio - narrates Dorota Lopatynska de Slepowron, the Polish woman selected by the Bollywood film industry - This kind of films are always wrapped in great secret, even the actors of the film don't know the title."

Although Dorota spends many hours at the sets while having a bite at chocolate bars or sipping coffee from McDonalds provided by the film producer, she does not complain. She treats acting in the great Bollywood films as a distinction. Majority of the actors and actresses are treated in India as divine.
Dorota Lopatynska de Slepowron continues " Only those needed for a particular scene are brought to the set. It is even difficult to speak with some actors because they allow only the selected ones"
However, she is quite lucky. In her portfolio listing professional achievements, one can see her photos with the greatest actors and actresses of Bollywood. For example, Amitabh Bachchan, the Bollywood superstar, who is so much admired in India that when he was unwell, there were special news bulletins few times a day informing about his health conditions. There was a huge crowd outside his hospital praying for his recovery to health.
For the Bollywood actors, it was equally an interesting experience to work with this Polish actress. White actors or actresses rarely appear in Bollywood blockbusters. Even fewer are those who know and understand the Indian culture. In this matter, Dorota is perfectly at home because her husband, Tony, was born in India and she herself was a model in Goa where she lived for three years. Even today, she fondly remembers the beautiful Goan beaches.

Dorota comments " I quickly find a common language with my co-actors." It is mainly her Indian experience that led her to the Bollywood films. It was also important that previously she has already achieved success in London as a fine artist and fashion designer of medieval dresses. For Bollywood films, the casting agencies select those people who are familiar with the artistic world and who can feel at home with the environment not present in the chores of everyday life. It is not at all easy to understand Bollywood films which are like an exotic spicy mixture.
The story line is normally based on traditional melodramatic themes, which are already too familiar in Poland and Europe. For example, love at first sight, hostile parents, return of the beloved after years, dramatic reversal of situations or happy coincidence.
This style does not bother Dorota. Rather opposite. She feels exceptionally well at such sets. Moreover, about two billion people will see every film, which she has acted in. "These are very beautiful films. They are colourful and full of life. Moreover, even the Hollywood films don't have the support of such a massive audience. I am also enchanted by the music and dance," adds Dorota.
And that is true. Dance and songs play pivotal roles in Bollywood films. The film songs - usually five to six - are played in India usually months before the grand opening. The popularity of the songs usually dictates the success of the film. What is interesting is that the actors dance in the film but they don't sing. The songs are sung by famous singers.

Dorota Lopatynska de Slepowron acts in the Bollywood films not only because she loves these films and not only for fame but there is another reason - her acting is a kind of present for her husband, Tony, who is from India and who considers her participation of his wife with distinction.
"The actors are really treated by the people as divine entities and Dorota can not only act with them but also talk," says Tony "I am very proud that she has made it - to act in Bollywood films only thanks to her own, hard work, moreover without help from any acting schools."
It is not out of the question for Dorota to consider such schools because she receives regular proposals to act in films, not only from Bollywood, and the film makers constantly urge her to take this step for furthering her acting career and she is seriously considering return to the school desk days. Neither the casting agencies nor the film makers are bothered by the fact that she is not a professional actress. Most important for them is her readiness for work and she does not complain even after numerous shots taken just to create one perfect shot. Rather just opposite. With her infectious optimism she inspires the remaining actors and extras that are not fortunate enough to have their changing rooms resulting in their getting very tired.
Zoe Jamieson-Smith, Director of XZX Entertaimnent, praises Dorota " She bravely ignores all uncomfortable conditions and is an excellent, talented actress. That is why we eagerly invite her to our films."

Although Dorota has not yet acted in a main role, she considers her work as a success. Acting in one film opens door to another boosting her career. It also opens up door to opportunities like very interesting contacts and new offers.
Thanks to her experience in films, Dorota has achieved success in several TV shows too - namely "40 seconds of fame" in BBC 4 and "How to look good naked" in Channel 4. Dorota Lopatynska de Slepowron comments "Contrary to the title, it has got nothing to do with nakedness. It is a show on how to love your own body irrespective of body statistics. It helps women get rid of their complex and compare with other women that are not too perfect shape wise yet they accept themselves as they are." Although she never had any complex, this program taught her a few things. Dorota says, "Acting is not an easy job. It requires huge courage to appear in lingerie considering the millions of viewers watching Channel 4 primetime shows."
Surely Dorota won't accept any role to appear in similar costumes in Bollywood films. Although kissing in front of cameras has been allowed three years ago, nudity and eroticism are still a taboo in these films. The film makers, however, try to cheat the censors, that is why the actors wear transparent clothing while the actresses perform in heavy rain or sea waves. There is no violence in usual Bollywood films. In line with tradition in India, subtleness is the theme in Bollywood. That is why these films usually show family problems, difficult love situations, which contradict family traditions, bring the usual norms in question and lead to tragic conflicts and choices.
Dorota Lopatynska de Slepowron concludes, " But I love these films."
Bollywood : It is a gigantic world cinema. More than 1000 full-length feature films are produced annually in 20 different languages in India ( in USA about 720 films annually ). About 2 billion people watch every film. Every day 12 million viewers go to the cinemas to watch the films in India. Indian national anthem is played before the start of every film when the viewers stand up to show respect.