We recently had the chance to connect with Sanjini Bhakta and have shared our conversation below.
Sanjini, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. Would YOU hire you? Why or why not?
Yes, I would definitely hire MYSELF!!! I would hire myself because I have spent a long time working so hard and putting in the time, dedication, perseverance, effort, patience, creativity and passion into all my creative projects. I continue to learn and develop my skills into becoming an accomplished actress, filmmaker, producer, director, black belt martial artist and writer no matter what obstacles I have faced and continue to face. I make my dreams happen for myself while also providing numerous opportunities for others.
I am an excellent, versatile, visual, creative and talented filmmaker! I have filmed 17 short films all by myself and they vary in genre and style. I have filmed extremely difficult scenes that most independent filmmakers cannot do! I know this because I have seen many of my films with an audience – with other filmmakers and film aficionados – and the quality and level of my productions, story telling and characters in my films are very high! I have filmed many fight scenes which involve martial arts as well a sexy bedroom and hot tub scenes in my action film series, “Eye of the Empress.” I have filmed 13 episodes of “Eye of the Empress” in many different kinds of locations such as a scrap yard with trucks, an alley, boxing and MMA gyms, Mexican restaurants and so many other locations.
I have also filmed comedies such as “Cyber Romance 1 and 2” which are about dating and relationships. I have filmed “Motel Patel” which is about an Indian family who own a fledgling motel in the United States. My film, “Portrait of a Nude Art Model” is very beautiful and artistic. All my films are very provocative, edgy and masculine-oriented.
Besides producing my own films, I have also published 23 children’s books on Amazon and Kindle. My books are extremely creative with interesting stories and stunning illustrations. I am a prolific writer! I publish all my books by myself. Only two of my books are non-fiction. The titles of my books are:
1) My Life as a Dollar Bill 2) The Chocolate Pony 3) Matilda, the Most Expensive Pig in the World 4) Wobbles, the Jellyfish Goes to School 5) Pedro, the Blue Frog 6) The Inquisitive Bear 7) The King Whose Beard Grew so Long 8) Milly, the Lazy Goat 9) Shaka, the Timid Lion 10) The Mischievous Dress 11) A Tale of Two Knights: A Magical Chess Story 12) The Unusual Pie 13) The Unusual Pecan Pie 14) Anthology of Poems and Essays 15) Buck, the Cowboy Teddy Bear 16) Bubbles, the Dolphin 17) Sparkle Spot, the Handsome Ladybug 18) Walter, the Schnauzer 19) Izzy and His Pet Snails 20) Thomas, the T.Rex Escapes onto the Streets of Los Angeles 21) Poppy, the Pumpkin: An American Thanksgiving Story 22) The Blue Whales 23) Come Visit Ancient Rome
I have also dedicated a lot of time, energy and effort into my martial arts training. I have a black belt in Shaolin Kempo Karate and did my test inside the Shaolin Temple in China. I currently train with Shaolin monks from the Shaolin Temple in Shaolin Kung Fu and I have a brown belt. I direct my fight scenes in my movies and have fought over 25 male, martial artists of different styles in “Eye of the Empress.” My on-camera fight scenes involve light contact because most of the fighters in my films have black belts and are highly skilled.
I have spent many years dedicated to volunteering with Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity. I know so many of her sisters or nuns who carry on her legacy. We feed the poor and needy and I also assist them with anything they ask me to do. Mother Teresa’s Catholic nuns and the Shaolin monks I train with provide me with a deep spiritual grounding and I add color to their lives. They are so humble, kind, loving and compassionate – I love with them with all my heart!
I am also an avid proponent of beauty, health and fitness. Working out at the gym, doing martial arts and mediating are essential for my well-being. Sleeping and eating well are as well.
I have traveled to 38 countries and have been exposed to many different kinds of people and cultures. I also have two degrees – a Bachelor’s degree in History with a minor in Mathematics from the University of Texas at Austin and a Master’s degree in Speech Communications from Texas State.
So yes, I would definitely hire myself!!!
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I produce my films and publish my books under the banner, Star Sapphire Media. I plan to finish my action film series, “Eye of the Empress” – I have seven episodes left to film or 3 to 4 days of filming. I want to publish two more books which will make it a total of 25 books I would have published altogether.
I would like to turn many of my creative books into animated tv series or films and sell toys based on the characters in my children’s books. I also have an animated script to produce which is entitled “Beverly Hills Skunk” about a misplaced skunk on the most wanted list in Beverly Hills.
I would also like to produce big feature films to complete my “Eye of the Empress” trilogy – The Dragon Pearl (to be filmed in the Shaolin Temple with the Shaolin monks) and “The Diamond Skull.” I would like to act in and produce three other big motion pictures – “Aphrodite”, “Nefretiti” and “Indira Gandhi.’ I plan to win many Oscars!
I would like to film my own commercials and sell my own products. I have written provocative commercials for mascara, lotion, pearls, hair products and I would also like to have my own perfume line! I want Star Sapphire Media to be bigger than Oprah’s media company with my own films, books and products! I also want to own real estate around the world!
Every creative project of mine under Star Sapphire Media is unique, very creative, very progressive and edgy! I am a maverick and I like to SHINE!
Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who taught you the most about work?
My father taught me the most about working hard with tenacity, patience and determination. Even though my father and I have always clashed about my career path as I am an artist and he was an accomplished businessman with great business acumen – seeing him work tirelessly for so many years to provide for his family and my extended family influenced me to always work very hard, put my heart and soul into my work and always strive for the best! My father influenced me to be frugal, to pay attention to details, to be organized and make lots of to-do-lists, to focus and spend a lot of time on all my projects and to never give up! I also get my sense of adventure and spice from my father which shows through in all my work. Right now, my father has been struggling with the daily complications of having Parkinson’s disease so I am even more determined to succeed and make him proud of me!
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Actually, I almost want to give up now but I cannot! I feel so stuck because I have been searching for a new lead actor for sooooooo long and I have been waiting for so long to find this absolutely, handsome actor! I have tried everything to find this actor – posted numerous castings on professional casting sites, searched at acting schools and the gym, searched on social media and in-person! The only thing I can do right now is MEDIATE! I feel like I have been spiritually blocked from finding my lead actor (Max Stone) and I do not understand why and people tell me that I will find that actor in God’s timing or in divine timing but when? Without this lead actor, I cannot finish my film! I cannot do the next sexy bedroom scene by myself! I also need to film two big outside fight scenes. I am so passionate about filming and acting and to spend years in search of one actor is ridiculous! In my action film series, “Eye of the Empress”, my character Skylar’s main motto is to “KEEP MY EYE ON THE PRIZE!” So I have to keep my “eye on the prize” and never give up!
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes, the public version of me is the real me! That is because I am an extrovert and I wear my heart on my sleeves! I am not afraid to express myself, to be naked as I was in my film “Portrait of a Nude Art Model” since I used to be an art model in real life – all my films are based on my life so they are my stories and spiritual journey. I am not afraid to express my feelings, thoughts, ideas and stories! I am spicy, temperamental, confident, emotional, creative, alpha, dominant, rebellious, provocative, sexy and colorful! But I am also very kind, compassionate, caring, considerate and I will always support the under dog and help the poor and the needy.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I would like people to say that I always showed my authentic self to the world even if it was different from the norm. That I always lived my life to the beat of my own drum and lived my life to the fullest. That I inspired women to not be afraid to own their sexuality and be in roles that are not traditionally for women and to do it all better! That I lived my life as a free-spirit with rebellion, adventure, a sense of freedom and excitement. That I never conformed to traditional ways of living and life! That I gave my time and life to help people, inspire them, bring joy, color, fun, self-expression and entertainment to the world! That I was always a kid at heart and I always had youthful energy! That I always had fun and love in my life and that is the purpose of living! And that all of these attributes can be seen in my films and story-telling.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sanjini-actress.
com - Instagram: @sanjiniactress
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/
sanjini-b-35055316/ - Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/
SANJINIACTRESS - Other: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=
sanjini&ref=nb_sb_noss_1https: //www.imdb.com/name/nm4215028/ ?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_6_nm_2_ in_0_q_sanjini
Image Credits
Main profile image credit – Dr. Brian King
All other image credits – Sanjini Bhakta
