Showbiz Women’s Day: Alia Bhatt Only Indian Actress in Variety’s ‘Most Impactful International Women’ List
- Also included is Samreen Ghani, President of the U.K.-based Moonbug Studio, and Shivani Pandya of the United Arab Emirates, managing director of the Red Sea International Film Festival.
Alia Bhatt is the only Indian actress to be included as Variety’s Most Impactful International Women of 2023. Coinciding with the celebration of International Women’s Day on March 8, the annual list highlights the accomplishments of global women of show business.
“From starring in some of this past year’s most impressive films and television series to executing major deals and expanding content coverage, “impactful” doesn’t even begin to capture their contribution to international entertainment,” the magazine says.
Also included is Samreen Ghani, President of the U.K.-based Moonbug Studio, and Shivani Pandya of the United Arab Emirates, managing director of the Red Sea International Film Festival.
Variety says Bhatt started last year off with the Berlin premiere of “Gangubhai Kathiawadi” and included the smash hit “RRR,” as well as “Brahmāstra: Part One — Shiva,” in which she co-stars with husband Ranbir Kapoor. The pair also welcomed a daughter, Raha.
“There’s always that one film that’ll transcend language and leave its mark in people’s hearts,” Bhatt told Variety. She acted with Gal Gadot in Netflix’s “Heart of Stone.” Next she reunites with director Karan Johar and stars opposite Ranveer Singh in “Rocky aur Rani ki Prem Kahani,” out in July. “I am so excited about this one because it’s giving quintessential Bollywood and I’m finally wearing sarees in the snow [so it’s a dream come true from every angle].”
Bhatt reunites with director Karan Johar and stars opposite Ranveer Singh in “Rocky aur Rani ki Prem Kahani,” out in July. “I am so excited about this one because it’s giving quintessential Bollywood and I’m finally wearing sarees in the snow.”
She made her debut with Karan Johar’s “Student of the Year” in 2012. “After that, she has come a long way and now she is one of the most talented actresses in the Indian film industry,” Variety says. Netflix’s film “Darlings was also got appreciated by both fans and critics.”
Pandya Malhotra oversees the Red Sea International Film Festival, held in the ancient Saudi city of Jeddah. Last year, it “made an impressive showing with its second edition drawing nearly 40,000,” Variety says. In December 2021, Pandya Malhotra faced challenges with the inaugural edition of the festival, “including the last-minute cancellation of artistic director Edouard Waintrop due to illness and the surging omicron variant.”
It was the first festival to be held in Saudi Arabia, “following the lifting of a 35-year ban on cinema in 2018,” the magazine added. “Still, overall it was judged a success,” Variety said. Highlights included the world premiere of “83,” and Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar.
Ghani, president of the U.K.-based Moonbug Studio is skilled in Corporate Development, Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), Corporate Finance, Valuation, and Due Diligence, according to her LinkedIn profile. “It’s an honor to be recognized amongst such accomplished women,” she posted on LinkedIn.
She told Variety the company currently produces content in over 15 countries with 20-plus partner studios. “Not all of them can scale at the same pace, so we need to keep scoping out new avenues for producing content and continuing to grow and develop talent internally, whilst also maintaining the brand and creative integrity.”