Today we’d like to introduce you to Nupur Mehrotra.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Nupur. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I started out working in a big talent agency in the UK – (previously known as ICM UK). I was fresh out of Law School and finding a way to pay off my student loans. It was there I learnt alot about the industry and how everything works. I wanted to explore the film and television industry more so I interned at various places including Enlightenment Productions and Act Productions. I eventually moved to India and started working as a casting director after being in the casting department for big Bollywood film ‘Agent Vinod’ (an Illuminati Films/Maddock Films production). I loved casting but eventually realized I wanted to do more and I felt I wasn’t getting that fulfillment in casting I was looking for. I moved to LA some years back where I wanted to go to film school and explore other creative avenues which is where I eventually ended up in producing. After each project, I was learning more and more and was being challenged in different ways. Since I am a more of a creative producer I would get involved in the script and creative processes as well as just the paperwork.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has certainly been an eventful journey with its equal share of highs and lows- and as you know no good story comes without its obstacles, rising action and midpoint. I was never the type of person meant for a routined 9-5pm job. I need every day and every project to be different and excite me. I started out trying to navigate my way, learning about the industry, interning and adjusting to people’s expectations. I spent alot of time figuring out what exactly I wanted to do. I was lost for the longest time. When I got into casting, I worked endless hours trying to make ends meet under immense pressure constantly finding new talent. There were times I would hit roadblocks and I was still adjusting to a new country and a completely different working culture. It was a tough transition overall but I adjusted. Finding my calling has been the biggest challenge and sometimes you hit lows when you feel your efforts and work is not appreciated. That being said, there are different directors and heads of departments I have worked with have made me feel ’empowered’. These are the projects I have definitely done my best in because of that feeling of not wanting to let somebody down. This field requires alot of time and persistence and sometimes you find yourself not having time for others or even yourself and its good to get a balance. Its hard for me to find that balance at times. When I work Im super focused but that means other parts of my life end up taking a backseat. But these struggles have made me the person I am and I have learnt alot on the way and the journey has been nothing short of a thrilling roller coaster ride. This industry can be very seasonal and unpredictable – so sometimes you have months on end without work and other times you have an overflow of work. Also, you find yourself dealing with a multitude of egos and temperament and you learn patience, problem solving and alot of people skills. I was naturally very introverted so I have had to really come out of my shell and develop a sense of self confidence and conviction in my work.
What have been your biggest achievements / projects so far?
I was part of a hit show called ‘Fear Files’ on Zee TV channel that did very well. I worked in the casting department of a Bollywood blockbuster, ‘Agent Vinod’. I have produced a short film called ‘Fenced’ that has won 7 awards so far in prestigious film festivals and I have been doing the festival rounds representing the film. I did a q&a session in LA Shorts. More recently, I have been involved in the Hindi promo of Disney’s Frozen 2, working with Priyanka Chopra. I was responsible for the LA leg of the shoot. It was a career high to have worked with Disney India and Priyanka Chopra. I am currently working on several music videos and the release of an LGBTQIA short I produced (with Rupika Grover) in India, executive produced by Prince Manvendra Singh Gohil (the world’s first gay Prince who appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show and the Kardashians) directed by Shivin & Sunny Grover.
Whats next for you?
The show must go on!! Lets see whats in store post Covid – I have a few potential foreign projects coming up and I will be working on pitching a web series on an ott platform (fingers crossed!) I am also hoping to work on more music videos – I have my own team now and I plan to officially launch my production house, ‘The Angel Films’.
Contact Info:
- Phone: 949 531 2545
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @nupsmehra
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nups.mehra
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