Hollywood is opening up to Indian origin actors: Rizwan Manji

Indo-Canadian actor Rizwan Manji,who will be seen sharing the screen space with Leonardo DiCaprio in Martin Scorsese's film 'The Wolf of Wall Street', feels a space is opening up for Indian characters in Hollywood.

 

Manji, best known for his roles in 'American Desi', 'Charlie Wilson's War', 'Morning Glory', 'Transformers', 'Don Jon' and TV shows 'Outsourced', 'Glee' and '24', had one of

the busiest year in 2013.

 

"The market is definitely opening up and the parts are getting better as well. It is moving in the right direction though there are still lot of stereotypes. I remember when we did 'American Desi', the market was completely unexplored and the film surprised everyone by doing good business," Manji told PTI over phone from Los Angeles.

 

"In the beginning it was a struggle to get an audition 

for parts but 2013 was the busiest year I had. It was not just me, my actor friends in the Indian community here were all working. I hope it continues," Manji added.

 

The actor said he jumped at the chance to work with directing legend Scorsese though he has a small role in 'The Wolf of Wall Street'. Manji plays Khalil in the movie, releasing in India tomorrow.

 

The film, based on the true story of Jordan Belfort, depicts the rise of a stockbroker, his decadent life and subsequent fall. Leonardo DiCaprio plays Belfort in the movie.