‏Ashok Amritraj‏

An internationally renowned Award winning Producer, Ashok Amritraj has produced over 100 films during the span of his 30-year career, with a worldwide gross in excess of $2 billion. He has partnered with every major studio in Hollywood, and produced films starring the likes of Bruce Willis, Sandra Bullock, Sylvester Stallone, Angelina Jolie, Cate Blanchett, Dustin Hoffman, Steve Martin, Antonio Banderas, Robert DeNiro, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, Kate Hudson, Kurt Russell, Jennifer Aniston, Nicolas Cage and many more.As Chairman and CEO of the Hyde Park Entertainment Group, Amritraj has grown the company into a cutting-edge independent alternative to the traditional Hollywood studio system, fully realizing his vision of a progressive global company that incorporates the most essential elements of a full-fledged studio. Hyde Park's offerings encompass live-action, animation and cross-cultural cinema, and is capable of developing, producing and financing projects, as well as handling international sales and marketing.Amritraj's projects currently in production include Life of Crime starring Jennifer Aniston, Tim Robbins, John Hawkes, Mos Def, Isla Fisher and Will Forte, which was selected as the 2013 Toronto Film Festival's Closing Night Film, the family adventure Midnight Sun, from Award Winning Director Roger Spottiswoode and Every Secret Thing, starring Diane Lane, Elizabeth Banks and Dakota Fanning is currently in production.Hyde Park's recent releases include Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance, in partnership with Sony Pictures Entertainment, starring Nicolas Cage, grossing over $140 million worldwide, and Robert Rodriguez's Machete, starring Robert DeNiro, Jessica Alba and Danny Trejo, as well as the award-winning drama Blue Valentine, starring Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams.Hyde Park and Imagenation Abu Dhabi partnered in November 2008 on a $250 million financing deal to develop, produce, and distribute up to 20 feature films over seven years - they extended their partnership to create a strategic alliance with Singapore's Media Development Authority (MDA) and launched Hyde Park Imagenation Singapore.Amritraj's box office hits include such films as BRINGING DOWN THE HOUSE, starring Steve Martin and Academy Award-nominee Queen Latifah, PREMONITION, starring Oscar Winner Sandra Bullock, Barry Levinson's Golden Globe-nominated comedy BANDITS, starring Cate Blanchett, Bruce Willis and Billy Bob Thornton, WALKING TALL, starring The Rock, and many more. Additionally, Amritraj has produced several critically acclaimed films, including TRAITOR, starring Don Cheadle and Guy Pearce, SHOPGIRL, with Steve Martin and Claire Danes, and MOONLIGHT MILE, starring Dustin Hoffman, Susan Sarandon and Jake Gyllenhaal.Amritraj is as comfortable in front of the camera as behind. He is currently hosting "Chance of a Lifetime" in collaboration with the United Nations and Variety magazine which will air on National Geographic in March 2014. He has hosted various critically acclaimed television shows in Asia, including "Gateway to Hollywood" for the Sony Entertainment network in Asia, which discovered a young Indian filmmaker who has gone on to a successful career and "Hollywood Heroes" for the History Channel.Amritraj's various awards include a Certificate of Special Recognition from the United States Congress for Exemplary Public Service to the People of the United States of America, followed by the prestigious Producer of Vision Award from the Hollywood community, and a special award from the American Indian Foundation (chaired by President Bill Clinton) for "making India and Indians proud". Amritraj was named "Producer of the Decade" by the Spirit of India Foundation, and the Indian International Film Festival awarded Amritraj for his "extraordinary contribution by an Indian in international cinema." Amritraj was recently honored with the "Soul of India Award" by the Indian Journalists' Association of Great Britain. The California Trade and Tourism Council awarded Amritraj a star on their "Walk of Fame" for bridging "the relationship between California and India."Amritraj served on the Foreign Film Board of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, was a member of Los Angeles Board for the British Academy of Film and Television Arts and the International Council for the Emmy Awards.Amritraj serves as CEO of National Geographic Films and has pioneered the crossover cinema between India, Asia and Hollywood through film and cultural exchanges. He currently serves on the advisory board for the Dodge Film School at Chapman University.In addition to his work in the entertainment business, Amritraj spends much of his time on his philanthropic endeavors worldwide. He and his wife Chitra were honored at a private ceremony held at The Motion Picture and Television Foundation's Wasserman Campus for their sponsorship of a residence at the Ray and Linda Stark Villa.Amritraj recently launched his autobiography "Advantage Hollywood", published by Harper Collins, and the book is currently in its second printing. Amritraj was a former tennis professional, having played in every major tennis event including Wimbledon and the U.S. Open.