'Iconic' only because of Stallone - the scene had nothing else to offer!
Not too long ago, it was rare to see stars from different film industries sharing screen space in Indian cinema. But today, it’s almost a formula. If the hero is from Bollywood, the villain or at least the heroine must be from the South. Yet, way before this trend took off, there was 'Kambakkht Ishq' in 2009, which went even further. It brought in Hollywood. And not just anyone, but Sylvester Stallone himself! Yes, Rocky and Rambo made a surprise cameo in a flashy Bollywood rom-com, rescuing Kareena Kapoor and throwing punches on the streets. It was slightly bizarre, but undoubtedly fun.
As the Hollywood legend celebrates his 79th birthday today, let's revisit that wild crossover when Stallone entered Bollywood.
In 2009, 'Kambakkht Ishq' hit the screens with Akshay Kumar and Kareena Kapoor in the lead. The film was a flashy romantic comedy packed with over-the-top drama and action, and unsurprisingly, failed to impress audiences. But it did something no Bollywood film had done at the time: it brought Sylvester Stallone.
Yes, the legendary action hero of Rocky and Rambo fame made a brief yet unforgettable appearance in this Bollywood masala flick. He shows up in a fight sequence to rescue Kareena Kapoor's character, Simrita, from a gang of goons on a street. Dressed in his signature tough-guy look, Stallone punches and kicks his way through the baddies, and the scene ends with him uttering the film’s name (Kambakkht Ishq) in his classic accent. The moment is pure Bollywood meets Hollywood madness.
(Credit: Eros Now Music)
Directed by Sabbir Khan and produced by Sajid Nadiadwala, 'Kambakkht Ishq' was adapted from the Tamil film 'Pammal K. Sambandam', which itself was loosely based on the 1999 American rom-com 'The Bachelor'. The film starred Akshay Kumar as a stuntman and Kareena Kapoor as a fiery model-surgeon. It also featured Aftab Shivdasani, Amrita Arora, Jaaved Jaaferi, and Kirron Kher.
The movie was all about style over substance. While critics panned it for its lack of plot and over-the-top antics (Rajeev Masand called it "loud, vulgar, and seriously offensive"), audiences still remember it for the sheer novelty of watching Hollywood stars show up in a mainstream Bollywood film.
Stallone wasn’t the only Hollywood face in the film. 'Kambakkht Ishq' also featured cameos by Denise Richards, Brandon Routh, and Holly Valance. They played themselves in quick appearances that added to the movie’s global appeal. For Indian audiences, seeing these stars in a Bollywood setting was both bizarre and thrilling.
According to a report by The Guardian, Stallone was paid around £347,000 (roughly Rs 3.6 crores at the time) for his short appearance here. The move was clearly a PR strategy to elevate the film’s global visibility, and it worked to some extent. The scene went viral, and to this day, it’s one of the most searched moments from the film.
Interestingly, Stallone has always had a soft spot for Bollywood. He has often expressed admiration for Indian stars, especially Salman Khan. In 2018, he even promoted Khan’s film 'Race 3' with a humorous social media post: “OK, EVERYBODY let’s try this AGAIN, good luck to the very talented SALMAN KHAN on his upcoming new film RACE 3! (if this is wrong I give up!) LOL.”
His gesture was widely appreciated by fans on both sides of the globe.
While Stallone’s cameo created a buzz, he is not the only international celebrity to make an appearance in Indian cinema. Others include:
Elizabeth Russell in 'Lagaan'
Bárbara Mori in 'Kites'
Ali Larter in 'Marigold'
Kylie Minogue in 'Blue'
Akon, who sang and appeared in the music video for Ra.One's hit song "Chammak Challo"
Happy Birthday, Sly! Thanks for that unforgettable Bollywood moment.
