India, March 15 -- Alia Bhatt in Hollywood: For decades now, the notion of "crossing over" to Hollywood has loomed over Indian actors like a particularly alluring mirage. Every few years, it seems like there's another actor on the cusp of making it happen. The industry is abuzz with excitement, the press announces another star of global potential, and then... well, not much happens. On paper, at least, the world is more connected than ever and the entertainment world more globalised than it used to be. In reality? Well, let's just say that Hollywood remains as difficult to crack as ever for actors who dominate at home.

This is why Alia Bhatt's Hollywood aspirations have are an interesting case study. Not many young actors from her genera...