MEFCC 2017: Pooja Batra on the challenges of making the move from Bollywood to Hollywood April 11, 2017
Bollywood actress Pooja Batra poses at Middle East Film Comic Con 2017. Courtesy MEFCC
Pooja Batra, a Bollywood star and former beauty queen, moved to Los Angeles 10 years ago to be with her American husband.
The effect this had on her career turned out not to be as straightfoward as she hoped.
"Initially I thought I could still work in Bollywood from LA, but that didn’t happen so I had to totally restart my career," she says. "I had no contacts in Hollywood and, at that time, nobody there had really heard of Bollywood – or diversity for that matter – so for me, I was paving the path for future generations."
It is not easy being a trailblazer, as Batra was to discover.
"It was just ridiculous," she says. "How can you cast a show like ER without Indian doctors? America was so focused on its own actors and they weren’t interested in other cultures at all."
Batra, who we spoke to when she was a guest at the 2017 Middle East Film and Comic Con, says things have improved, as evidenced by her first Holywood lead role in Vincent Tran and Riyaana Hartleys’ One Under the Sun, which was released in the United States last month.
"In my last film in Hollywood I played a female astronaut, she says. "How many Indian actresses can say that. To be honest, I do prefer Hollywood to Bollywood. The scripts are less cliched, they have depth and there’s more substance in the female characters. We all need to make more movies like that."
It is perhaps nottoo surprising that Batra eventually succeeded in making the switch from Bollywood to Hollywood. She has worked in a number of regional Indian movie industries, and says Malayalam cinema was a particular challenge.
"It’s hard to make a film in a language that isn’t your own," she says. "To this day I don’t speak Malayalam, it’s one of the hardest languages to learn.
"Sometimes the director will sit there and tell you you have to learn your lines and they’ll tell you what it means and be really strict that you say it like you know what it means. Other times they’re like, ‘Well if it’s a long shot then just say it in Hindi – we’ll just do Malayalam for the close up.’"
Batra did find the experience rewarding, however.
"Malayalam is known for its stories," she says. "It’s more gritty and less glossy than Bollywood, and they tend to be picked up and made into films in different languages.
"A lot of other countries drive towards Malayalam films for their own stories.
"But it really is like when you watch Game of Thrones and they have a whole village speaking a made up language. It’s not easy."
Pooja Batra on ‘One Under the Sun’ April 8, 2017
Pooja Batra, former Miss India and Bollywood actress, was in Dubai attending Middle East Film and Comic Con for the Middle East premiere of her first Hollywood project, One Under the Sun. A science-fiction drama, the films sees Batra play astronaut Kathryn Voss, the sole survivor of a disastrous space mission, who is desperate to reunite with her terminally ill daughter but becomes a fugitive when the government discovers she’s returned to earth with an extraordinary gift.
“It was the script that drew me to the project and I loved my role. How many actresses get to say that they played an astronaut? Those roles don’t come easy. I did it primarily to channel my creativity,” said Batra.
Batra says that having now worked in Bollywood and Hollywood, she finds the strict schedules and the scripts of independent films in the US very refreshing. “We shot the entire film in 11 days. That was very intense for me as an actor. They work on tight schedules. I’m waiting to work next on a studio film, where they actually train you, and you shoot on big, complex sets,” she said.
In preparation for the role, Batra studied the lives of astronauts Kalpana Chawla and Sunita Williams. “I was also watching all these sci-fi films, like Interstellar, the Martian,” she said
Batra, who has now been living in Los Angeles for more than 10 years, said she is also not averse to acting in Bollywood films. “I would love to return to Bollywood. But I definitely need a good script,” she said. “I’d like to act in movies like Baahubali. Who woundn’t?”
Batra will next be seen in Mirror Game, an Indian independent film, produced in the US. She will play a police psychiatrist in the psychological thriller, releasing in the US this June.
Shahida Parides Fall 2017 Runway Show @ STYLE Fashion Week
Los Angeles Mar 12, 2017
Pooja Batra
(C) Shahida Clayton
Caroline D'amore
(Los Angeles) On March 10th of 2017, fashion designer Shahida Clayton, of women’s luxury resort and ready to wear clothing brand Shahida Parides, debuted her Fall/Winter 2017 collection on the runway during STYLE Fashion Week LA. As an immigrant to our country from India, as well as a Muslim woman, Shahida chose to utilize her runway as a platform to not only showcase the beauty and richness of cultural diversity, and celebrate the grace of all women despite their race, religion or gender identity, but also to manifest our need to unify as a people against injustice, intolerance and oppression.
Celebrities who took to the runway include: actress and celebrity DJ Caroline D’Amore with her two year old daughter Isabella Viking, Bollywood actresses Pooja Batra and Kalpana Pandit, transgender model and America’s Next Top Model contestant Quei Tann and actress and Supermodel Angie Everhart.
Shahida dedicated her Fall 2017 Collection runway show to both Srinivas Kuchibhotla & Alok Madasani, immigrants from India who were recent victims of a violent and racially motivated hate crime in Kansas.
“God does not forbid you from being good to those who have not fought you in the religion or driven you from your homes, or from being just towards them. God loves those who are just.”
- Surat al-Mumtahana, 8. Quran
Gravitas Ventures Acquires Worldwide Rights to “One Under the Sun” April 8th, 2017.
Gravitas Ventures has acquired the worldwide rights to the science fiction drama, “One Under the Sun.” The film made its premiere in the U.S. at Regal LA Live Cinemas on Feb. 25, 2017.
The film features a star-studded cast that includes model, Bollywood actress, and former Miss India, Pooja Batra in her first starring role. The movie co-stars Gene Farber of “Captain America: Civil War” fame in the Marvel Comic franchise; Ava Cantrell, star of “Lights Out”; and awarding-winner actor, Michael Keeley.
Produced by Sunny Vachher (P.G.A.) and directed by Vincent Tran and Riyaana Hartley, the cinematic sensation was filmed entirely in Los Angeles, CA. Marvel Comics legend, Stan Lee, noted that “One Under the Sun brings audiences on an emotional journey and challenges their notions of war.”
Batra plays astronaut and Mars mission commander, Kathryn Voss. Following a catastrophic shuttle accident as the crew returns to Earth, Voss is the only survivor and emerges completely unscathed, with no memory of the event, and with an extraordinary gift. Voss simply wants to be reunited with her husband and terminally ill daughter one last time. Instead, she’s sequestered in a secret government facility, forcing her to become a fugitive from a government that fears her gift, what she represents, and seeks to eliminate the truth no matter what the cost.
Throughout the film, Voss is an agent of change that endeavors to help mankind learn, evolve and reach their full potential, free of world constantly on the brink of war. The movie explores concepts ranging from self-sacrifice and human dynamics to altruistic goals, and encompasses discovery of the Higgs boson that’s been dubbed the “God particle.”
The film issues a thought provoking concept – “Imagine a day without war.”
“One Under the Sun” will be released on all digital, cable and VOD platforms on March 21, 2017 and is available now for pre-order on iTunes. The movie has received critical acclaim at prestigious film festivals around the world and fans can follow the film on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
ABOUT GRAVITAS VENTURES
Gravitas Ventures is a leading all rights distributor of independent cinema. Founded in 2006, Gravitas connects independent filmmakers and producers with distribution opportunities across the globe. Working with more than 500 content partners, Gravitas Ventures has distributed thousands of films into over 100 million homes. Their most recent releases include Jonathan Hock’s “Fastball,” Colin Hanks’ “All Things Must Pass,” “Being Evel” from Academy Award ® winning director Daniel Junge and producer Johnny Knoxville, “Backstreet Boys: Show ‘Em What You’re Made Of,” and “Barney Thomson” starring Robert Carlyle and Emma Thompson. Look for “For The Love of Spock” on September 9 from Director Adam Nimoy.
For more information, please visit gravitasventures.com and follow @GravitasVOD on Twitter and @gravitasventures on Instagram.
Pooja Batra’s First, “One Under the Sun” March 10, 2017
Pooja Batra (Gabor Ekecs)
One Under the Sun features a star-studded cast that includes former Miss India Pooja Batra in her first starring role. – @siliconeer #siliconeer #Hollywood @PoojaBatra #PoojaBatra #OneUndertheSun #GeneFarber #AvaCantrell #MichaelKeeley @gravitasventures @GravitasVOD
Batra plays astronaut and Mars mission commander, ‘Kathryn Voss,’ in One Under the Sun.
Following a catastrophic shuttle accident as the crew returns to Earth, Voss is the only survivor and emerges completely unscathed, with no memory of the event, and with an extraordinary gift. Voss simply wants to be reunited with her husband and terminally ill daughter one last time. Instead, she’s sequestered in a secret government facility, forcing her to become a fugitive from a government that fears her gift, what she represents, and seeks to eliminate the truth no matter what the cost.
Pooja Batra with Ava Cantrell and Gene Farber. (Gabor Ekecs)
Throughout the film, Voss is an agent of change that endeavors to help mankind learn, evolve and reach their full potential, free of world constantly on the brink of war. The movie explores concepts ranging from self-sacrifice and human dynamics to altruistic goals, and encompasses discovery of the Higgs boson that’s been dubbed the “God particle.”
Pooja Batra with Ghalib Shiraz Dhalla. (Gabor Ekecs)
The film issues a thought provoking concept – “Imagine a day without war.”
One Under the Sun has received critical acclaim at prestigious film festivals around the world. The movie co-stars Gene Farber of Captain America: Civil War fame in the Marvel Comic franchise; Ava Cantrell, star of Lights Out; and awarding-winner actor, Michael Keeley.
Produced by Sunny Vachher (P.G.A.) and directed by Vincent Tran and Riyaana Hartley, the cinematic sensation was filmed entirely in Los Angeles, Calif. Marvel Comics legend, Stan Lee, noted that “One Under the Sun brings audiences on an emotional journey and challenges their notions of war.”
Pooja Batra with Gary Churchwell, Angelic Granger, Kashmera Shah and director Vincent Tran. (Gabor Ekecs)
The film premiered in the U.S. at Regal LA Live Cinemas, Feb. 25 and will release digitally March 21 by Gravitas Ventures.
Gravitas Ventures Acquires Worldwide Rights to “One Under the Sun”
Los Angeles, CA – Feb. 1, 2017 – Gravitas Ventures has acquired the worldwide rights to the science fiction drama, “One Under the Sun.” The film will make its premiere in the U.S. at Regal LA Live Cinemas on Feb. 25, 2017.
The film features a star-studded cast that includes model, Bollywood actress, and former Miss India, Pooja Batra in her first starring role. The movie co-stars Gene Farber of “Captain America: Civil War” fame in the Marvel Comic franchise; Ava Cantrell, star of “Lights Out”; and awarding-winner actor, Michael Keeley.
Produced by Sunny Vachher (P.G.A.) and directed by Vincent Tran and Riyaana Hartley, the cinematic sensation was filmed entirely in Los Angeles, CA. Marvel Comics legend, Stan Lee, noted that “One Under the Sun brings audiences on an emotional journey and challenges their notions of war.”
Batra plays astronaut and Mars mission commander, Kathryn Voss. Following a catastrophic shuttle accident as the crew returns to Earth, Voss is the only survivor and emerges completely unscathed, with no memory of the event, and with an extraordinary gift. Voss simply wants to be reunited with her husband and terminally ill daughter one last time. Instead, she’s sequestered in a secret government facility, forcing her to become a fugitive from a government that fears her gift, what she represents, and seeks to eliminate the truth no matter what the cost.
Throughout the film, Voss is an agent of change that endeavors to help mankind learn, evolve and reach their full potential, free of world constantly on the brink of war. The movie explores concepts ranging from self-sacrifice and human dynamics to altruistic goals, and encompasses discovery of the Higgs boson that’s been dubbed the “God particle.”
The film issues a thought provoking concept – “Imagine a day without war.”
“ One Under the Sun ” will be released on all digital, cable and VOD platforms on March 21, 2017 and is available now for pre-order on iTunes . The movie has received critical acclaim at prestigious film festivals around the world and fans can follow the film on Facebook , Twitter , Instagram and YouTube .
ABOUT GRAVITAS VENTURES
Gravitas Ventures is a leading all rights distributor of independent cinema. Founded in 2006, Gravitas connects independent filmmakers and producers with distribution opportunities across the globe. Working with more than 500 content partners, Gravitas Ventures has distributed thousands of films into over 100 million homes. Their most recent releases include Jonathan Hock’s “Fastball,” Colin Hanks’ “All Things Must Pass,” “Being Evel” from Academy Award ® winning director Daniel Junge and producer Johnny Knoxville, “Backstreet Boys: Show ‘Em What You’re Made Of,” and “Barney Thomson” starring Robert Carlyle and Emma Thompson. Look for “For The Love of Spock” on September 9 from Director Adam Nimoy.
For more information, please visit gravitasventures.com and follow @GravitasVOD on Twitter and @gravitasventures on Instagram.
And below is the information on where ‘One under the Sun’ can be watched:
MEFCC 2017: Pooja Batra on the challenges of making the move from Bollywood to Hollywood
Pooja Batra on ‘One Under the Sun’
Shahida Parides Fall 2017 Runway Show @ STYLE Fashion Week
Throughout the film, Voss is an agent of change that endeavors to help mankind learn, evolve and reach their full potential, free of world constantly on the brink of war. The movie explores concepts ranging from self-sacrifice and human dynamics to altruistic goals, and encompasses discovery of the Higgs boson that’s been dubbed the “God particle.”
Los Angeles, CA – Feb. 1, 2017 – 
