Will Smith Wants a Bollywood Break: From Salman Khan Talks to a Direct Call-Out to Shah Rukh Khan

In Dubai, the Oscar winner opens up about past Bollywood conversations and says he’s still waiting for the right Indian film to happen.

Oscar-winning actor Will Smith recently reignited excitement around a possible Bollywood crossover during his visit to Dubai for the premiere of Pole to Pole with Will Smith, a National Geographic series that documents his globe-spanning journey across extreme terrains and cultures. While speaking on the red carpet, Smith revealed that working in Indian cinema has long been on his wish list and that he has had multiple conversations over the years with some of Bollywood’s biggest names.

Reflecting on those discussions, Smith shared that he had explored potential projects with Salman Khan and also held talks with Amitabh Bachchan. Recalling a humorous exchange, Smith said Bachchan jokingly suggested that while he is “Big B,” Smith could be “Big W,” highlighting the friendly rapport they shared. Despite these interactions and ideas being floated, none of the collaborations ultimately moved forward. Still, Smith made it clear that the lack of follow-through hasn’t dimmed his enthusiasm for Bollywood.

The Hollywood star then turned his attention to Shah Rukh Khan, openly expressing his desire to work with the global superstar. In a lighthearted moment, Smith publicly invited Shah Rukh to cast him in a Hindi film, a statement that quickly caught fans’ attention and fueled speculation about a potential East-meets-West collaboration. While Indian actors such as Priyanka Chopra, Deepika Padukone, and Aishwarya Rai have successfully transitioned to Hollywood, major Hollywood stars appearing in mainstream Bollywood films remain a rarity—making Smith’s interest particularly noteworthy.

Meanwhile, Shah Rukh Khan is currently busy with King, an upcoming Siddharth Anand directorial that reportedly presents the actor in a darker, action-driven avatar and features Suhana Khan, Deepika Padukone, Abhishek Bachchan, and Jaideep Ahlawat in key roles. As for Smith, Pole to Pole with Will Smith marks his return to large-scale non-fiction storytelling, reinforcing his global appeal and curiosity-driven approach to projects—qualities that could one day find a natural home in Indian cinema as well.

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