The hottest Bollywood exports

No, we aren't talking about item numbers.

Our actresses have always dabbled in international cinema, but things are beginning to come to a head now as more and more of our beauties are being snapped up by foreign filmmakers.

Here's a look at the best of the bunch:

Freida Pinto

The biggest Hollywood splash so far was by Freida Pinto, the Mumbai girl catapulting to international superstardom with Danny Boyle's Slumdog Millionaire.

Pinto's going from strength to strength as she works with directors like Woody Allen and Julian Schnabel, and now there's the Planet of the Apes prequel.

The striking looking actress has had her share of high-profile cinema, from Santosh Sivan's The Terrorist to George Lucas' Star Wars Episode 2, and the powerful actress has consistently impressed many a critic.

The bodacious Mallika crossed over with The Myth, co-starring Jackie Chan and, after wowing onlookers at Cannes, has wrapped shooting on Hissss, a snakewoman saga directed by Jennifer Lynch.

Ash went international with Gurinder Chadha's Bride & Prejudice, and since then has starred in every manner of international project, some vaguer than others.

Her most recent project was The Pink Panther 2, where she filled out a cast headlined by Steve Martin.

Canadian-born Ray was always better suited for English cinema, what with that accent.

Highlights from her career include the disastrous Bollywood/Hollywood, the well-reviewed Water, and her lesbian film, I Can't Think Straight.

Miss Universe made an attempt at going international with Karma, Confessions And Holi, an extremely amateurish film also starring supermodel Naomi Campbell.

The ladies best stick to strutting their stuff on the ramp.

Zinta did well in Deepa Mehta's ambitious but misguided Heaven On Earth, but no other international projects seem to be calling her just yet.

Not that she really needs it, doing well enough with Indian films and the IPL.

Celina might not have made any waves out here, but clearly she's doing enough to impress Western casting directors.

The actress will play the title role in The Adventures Of Sheherzade, a story about the telling of the Arabian Nights.

She's an interesting looking woman without question, and while Masumeh's failed to click domestically, it is reported that she has signed on an international film for Warner Brothers.

Everything is hush-hush about the project thus far, but it could sure be a big break.