Danny DeVito Eyes Bollywood: A Dream Yet to Be Realised
Danny DeVito, famed for his role in It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, shares his enthusiasm for starring in a Bollywood film, though he admits he has no concrete plans to make it happen just yet.
It’s difficult to picture the same man who once shared a screen with Jack Nicholson in a psychiatric ward now causing chaos with the cast of a long-running sitcom, but Danny DeVito has managed just that. His career, stretching over five decades, has seen him morph from the troubled Martini in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest to the utterly unhinged Frank Reynolds in the much-loved comedy series that refuses to lose its edge, even after nearly two decades on air.
For those who’ve only recently stumbled upon the show, it’s worth noting that DeVito’s arrival marked a turning point. The series, already sharp and darkly comic, took a nosedive into even more outrageous territory once he joined. Frank’s antics—whether it’s emerging starkers from a sofa, orchestrating bizarre boat trips, or falling for a rum-soaked ham—have become the stuff of legend. At 81, DeVito’s energy and willingness to throw himself into the most ludicrous scenarios remain undiminished, a fact not lost on fans who still marvel at his commitment to the bit.
Unfinished Business: A Bollywood Ambition
Despite a CV that would make most actors green with envy, DeVito admits there’s one genre he’s yet to conquer. When asked if there’s anything left on his professional bucket list, he didn’t hesitate:
“You know what I want to do?… I want to do a Bollywood movie. (Starts dancing) Oh baby, now we’re talking!”
The prospect of DeVito in a full-blown Indian musical number is, frankly, irresistible. Anyone who recalls his memorable turn as a hapless stripper in Friends can probably imagine the spectacle, though he’s quick to clarify that, for now, it’s just a dream rather than a plan.
There’s no word yet on whether he’ll be packing his bags for Mumbai, but the enthusiasm is genuine. The idea of DeVito navigating the vibrant chaos of a Bollywood set, complete with elaborate dance routines and over-the-top drama, is enough to make even the most jaded filmgoer smile.
On Set and Onward: What’s Next for DeVito
While the Bollywood fantasy remains on the back burner, DeVito isn’t exactly short of work. He’s currently involved in the third instalment of the Jumanji reboot, sharing the screen with the likes of Jack Black and Dwayne Johnson. The previous two films, despite their mixed critical reception, raked in nearly $2 billion at the box office, so a final chapter was always likely.
Meanwhile, production is about to kick off for the eighteenth series of the sitcom that’s become his second home. This run is the last one under the current contract, and some cast members have hinted it could be the swan song. DeVito, for his part, seems content to see where things go, remarking,
“It’s something that you look forward to because it really is so much fun…And they know anything they want to do to Frank, they can.”
Legacy of Laughter
DeVito’s willingness to embrace the absurd has kept audiences coming back year after year. Whether he’s getting stuck in playground equipment or shaving his head for a laugh, there’s a sense that he’s game for just about anything. The prospect of him bringing that same spirit to a Bollywood production is tantalising, even if it remains, for now, a delightful what-if.