Ashok Amritraj, the internationally acclaimed Indian-American film producer was honoured with the Global Indian Cinematic Icon Award at the India International Film Tourism Conclave in Mumbai today. The award recognised his contributions to the global entertainment industry. The high-profile event was attended by Ambassadors, High Commissioners, Consul Generals and Film Commissioners from over 50 countries including Norway, Sweden, the Canary Islands, Indonesia, Spain, Ecuador, Chile, Slovakia, Jordan, Morocco, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, Kazakhstan, Serbia, Kyrgyzstan and Azerbaijan.
Amritraj speaking to a packed audience thanked the India International Film Tourism Conclave saying, “Over the past four decades, my journey has taken me from India to the the tennis courts of Wimbledon and on to Hollywood. While the reality of my two wonderful careers I’ve been blessed with has far exceeded my dreams, for me the global image of India and building bridges between India and other nations has always
been uppermost in my mind. I am thrilled & humbled to receive this singular honour from such an eminent group and all I would like to say is, thank you and stay tuned – much more to come.”
With a career spanning over four decades, Amritraj has produced more than 100 films across various genres, earning both commercial success and critical acclaim. His global media company, Hyde Park Entertainment Group has delivered hits such as Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance starring Nicholas Cage, Bringing Down the House with Steve Martin, Walking Tall featuring Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson, Machete with Robert De Niro, 99 Homes starring Andrew Garfield, Bandits with Bruce Willis and Cate Blanchett, Original Sin featuring Angelina Jolie and Antonio Banderas, Premonition with Sandra Bullock and Get Carter with Sylvester Stallone.
In addition, Amritraj produced the box office hit Jeans (in Hindi and Tamil), starring Aishwarya Rai and featuring music by A.R. Rahman. His films have grossed over $2 billion globally. Through Hyde Park, Amritraj has also spearheaded numerous international co-productions, reflecting his global outlook and his unique ability to unite talent and stories from both Hollywood and India.
Amritraj's journey from a Wimbledon tennis player to a billion-dollar Hollywood producer as detailed in his autobiography Advantage Hollywood, highlights the challenges he faced as an outsider navigating the film industry. Beyond his cinematic achievements, Amritraj is known for his global philanthropic efforts.
In 2016, he was appointed a United Nations India Goodwill Ambassador. In recognition of his contributions to the arts, he was named Chevalier (Knight) of the Ordre National du Merite by French President Emmanuel Macron. He has also been awarded an Honorary Doctorate of the Arts by the University of East London and serves on the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Producers A2025 Committee, focused on promoting inclusion and equitable opportunities in the industry.
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