Sweta Rai said – My story is the strength of this film: Journey from small town to Hollywood, shoot in Bhopal, new talent will get a big opportunity.

The film ‘From Bollywood to Hollywood’, which is being made with the aim of reducing the distance between Hollywood and Bollywood, is in the news these days. Actress-producer Sweta Rai, who is associated with this project, spoke openly about the film’s concept, casting, locations and her personal struggles in a daily conversation. The film is an inspiring story of an ordinary girl’s struggle and her rise to Hollywood, which will also have a glimpse of Indian culture. The special thing is that through this film, preparations are being made to present the beauty of Madhya Pradesh, especially Bhopal, on the global stage, and new talent will also get a big opportunity. Question: What is the concept of your current project ‘From Bollywood to Hollywood’? At what level is it being built? Answer: This is a Hollywood feature film, about 25 percent of which will be shot in Madhya Pradesh. The story is based on the struggles of a lower middle class girl and her journey to Hollywood. It is largely inspired by my personal life and experiences from growing up in a small town to producing films in Hollywood over the last 10 years. Golden Globe nominated Hollywood actors and well-known Bollywood actors will be seen together in this project. Our aim is to promote Indian culture, especially the locales and art of Bhopal, at the global level. Our team includes Hollywood veterans, like cinematographer Derek Bauer, who has worked on over 80 Hollywood films. Question: Which big names of Bollywood and Hollywood are associated with this film? Answer: We have NDA agreements with big names in Hollywood, so it is not possible to share names right now without the permission of their team. Although some information is available on IMDb. Talking about Bollywood, Sameer Soni is a part of this film. Talks are going on with Manisha Koirala and Neelam as actresses, one of whom will be seen in the role of a parent. I myself am playing the lead role in this film, because I feel that I can realize this story in the best way. Question: Which locations have you selected for shooting in Madhya Pradesh? Answer: We are mainly looking at locations in Bhopal, like Marine Drive and Bhopal Airport. Apart from this, there is a search for an authentic house in Bawadia Kalan area. Apart from Bhopal, our team is also exploring the places around Jabalpur and Indore, so that the beauty of Madhya Pradesh can be completely shown in the film. Q: What opportunities and process do you have for local artists? Answer: We started ‘Fresh Face Talent Hunt’ in 2025, in which about 2 lakh people applied. In this, opportunities were given to housewives and even those who had never acted. We are selecting actors from among these participants for second lead and supporting roles in the film. I believe that being a part of a Hollywood film can be a big turning point in any artist’s career. We are especially giving priority to artists and theater artists of Madhya Pradesh. Question: How can new artists or talent join you? Answer: There are two ways to join – first, through my Instagram post, where the link to the talent hunt is given; Second, through Bhopal-based ‘Hollywood Dreams Entertainment’. I myself respond to people personally. Apart from this, I am soon going to start online workshops to teach actors the right way to audition for Hollywood films. Question: How was the experience of working with veteran actors like Jon Voight (Anaconda fame)? Answer: I have been working with Jon Voight for the last 10 years. He is not only a great actor but also a brand ambassador of Hollywood. My experience was wonderful. He appreciates Indian talent very much. When I started, I was often the only Indian in the team. Veterans like Jon Voight and James Caan are extremely disciplined on the sets and always encourage new talent. Even today John teaches me the nuances of acting and helps me in dialogue delivery. Question: Are you creating any platform for new writers and visionary youth? Answer: Yes, apart from our US-based company ‘Indo Holly Films’, ‘Hollywood Dreams Entertainment’ is an active platform in Bhopal. Through this, we will organize Hollywood level courses and workshops, so that even people without professional training can learn global level skills. We have also launched ‘Hollywood India Global Film Festival’, where new artists and films will be given a platform. Question: As an Indian actor, what were your initial struggles in Hollywood? Answer: My journey was quite challenging. The biggest problem was financial. When I left my job in Singapore to go to Hollywood for film school, I was short of funds. Banks in India refused to give loans because they did not consider film making as job oriented. During this time my father also suffered a heart attack. But I did not give up and worked 18–20 hours every day. Eventually I wrote letters to big producers and got a 100 percent scholarship, which enabled me to complete my studies. Question: What is the process for new writers to share scripts? Answer: The legal process in case of scripts is very strict. In Hollywood, scripts are not read without the advice of a lawyer. I would advise writers to register their scripts first. We will also soon decide some terms and conditions for this in India, after which scripts will be invited. At present, the doors of our platform are always open for acting, dancing and singing talent.



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