Conversations with Junayed Alavi

Today we’d like to introduce you to Junayed Alavi.

Hi Junayed, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I grew up in a small town from West Bengal, India called Rampurhat. Growing up in a small town in India with a big dream was really tough. As a kid, I always wanted to be a filmmaker. I dreamt about Hollywood. I saw Jurassic Park when I was four and totally mesmerized by it. Since that day I loved filmmaking. But when I grew up my parents wanted me to do Engineering as my Hollywood dream seemed silly to them. Not just them but to the whole community itself because till that time nobody from a lower middle-class family with no connection came so far. There was no example in that area. So, my parents were afraid about my future.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
No. Not at all. I still remember classmates, teachers used to laugh at me and my Hollywood dream. But I kept my passion alive inside me. I have started making short amateur films with some of my school friends. But I ended up in an engineering college. I used to bunk my classes to make films during class hours which used to bother my college professors. As a kid, I used to think big scales and visual effects were making them amazing but eventually, I understood it’s all about a powerful story. Even in a grand epic blockbuster, we should have our own voice to make it believable. So, I found the medium very interesting that I can have fun and at the same time I can tell my own story. I had no connection in Hollywood. I got rejected by our own film industry known as Bengali Film Industry.

All the doors of big studios, Production houses were closed for me. I thought that this is the end of my journey. But again, I believed in my dream and kept working independently. Eventually, I received a collaboration offer from a reputed LA-based Hollywood PR agency called “Impact24 PR” and started my own live Podcast show called Late Night Show with Alavi and it changed my entire life. It is the only Indian podcast show where Hollywood A-listers come and share their journey to inspire the next generation of artists. Till now, Many Hollywood A-list Celebrities joined my show including Avengers Endgame actress Lexi Rabe, Back to the future actor Jeffrey Weissman, Marvel Studios Moon Knight writer-producer Peter Cameron, Director of Disney’s Black Beauty Ashley Avis, Narnia and The Martian music composer Harry Gregson-Williams, Oscar-nominated make-up artist Donald Mowat, Oscar-winning Set decorator of Star Wars Roger Christian and many more. Right now, I am working on a short film executive produced by a reputed Hollywood Producer.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am an Independent Filmmaker and Podcast Host from West Bengal, India. I have started my filmmaking journey at the age of thirteen. Since then I have made more than twenty short films, and three web series independently. I am also a podcast show host of India’s only Live Hollywood Podcast called Late Night Show With Alavi where Hollywood A-listers join and share their journey to inspire the next generation of artists. Indian podcast show where Hollywood A-listers come and share their journey to inspire the next generation of artists. Till now, Many Hollywood A-list Celebrities joined my show including Avengers Endgame actress Lexi Rabe, Back to the future actor Jeffrey Weissman, Marvel Studios Moon Knight writer-producer Peter Cameron, Director of Disney’s Black Beauty Ashley Avis, Narnia and The Martian music composer Harry Gregson-Williams, Oscar-nominated make-up artist Donald Mowat, Oscar-winning Set decorator of Star Wars Roger Christian and many more. Right now, I am working on a short film executive produced by a reputed Hollywood Producer. I am a bridge between Bengal and Hollywood.

Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Just having talent is not enough. A good network always helps. Be friendly. I never went to any film school but I see many film students are trying hard to get a right contact. And I have so many friends over there who are dominating the Film Industry such as people from Disney, Marvel Studios, Variety and many more. So, think big and do big.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/junayed_alavi/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@AlaviMotionPictures