Britain's first drama school for wannabe Bollywood stars

Call it 'Slumdog Millionaire' effect or pure economics, but Britain's first acting school dedicated to nurturing talents for the popular Indian film industry, Bollywood, began classes with 13 students in the first batch.

The Ealing Institute of Media set up by veteran Indian actor Anupam Kher welcomed its first batch of proteges, most of whom are giving up lucrative careers in law and finance to pursue their'filmi' dreams.

The course has been praised by Slumdog director Danny Boyle, who was invited to take a master class at the west London school.

All the students are of British Asian origin, like 22-year-old Basit Kirmani.The Cambridge pass-out whose parents are from Pakistan, gave up a 25,000 pound a year position to study "Larger than life Acting, Melodrama, and Exaggeration", the Telegraph reported.

"Bollywood is part of who I am, I was 11 when I saw my first Bollywood film, and I've never forgotten it.My parents, who are from Pakistan, have reservations, but accept that I worked very hard at university," said the aspiring actor.

"Bollywood has a magic they can't resist," said Anupam Kher who is known to British audiences for his work in films like 'Bend It Like Beckham' and 'Bride and Prejudice'.