One of Bollywood's biggest stars, Amitabh Bachchan, has said he is ready to act in a Hollywood film after years of turning down offers.
"If such an opportunity were to come my way, I'd be happy to do it," he said.
He said he had previously only been offered stereotyped roles such as a Hindu beggar or turban-wearing soldier.
He said the success of films such as Bend it Like Beckham and Monsoon Wedding meant directors were becoming more aware of Indian acting talent.
Bachchan is in Singapore to promote the International Indian Film Academy Awards, on 22 May, which are held in a different country each year.
The 60-year-old actor has appeared in more than 140 Bollywood films, making him one of the industry's most influential figures, but he has so far resisted English-language movies.
Among his recent movie credits are Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham and Armaan.
Trend
"The offers have not been entirely satisfactory to me creatively, so I have not done them," he said of Hollywood scripts sent to him.
He added that he had recently discussed working with British director Sir Ridley Scott when they both attended an awards ceremony in Marrakech in Morocco but nothing was finalised.
The Bollywood industry produces about 1,000 films a year, with an increasing number breaking into mainstream cinema.
"I'm sure that with the success of films like Monsoon
Wedding and Bend it Like Beckham and a few others this
trend will catch on," said Bachchan.
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