Kher's 'Actor Prepares' operational NOW

Submitted by pervaizalam on Thu, 09/11/2008 - 11:03. --> Asians living in Britain can dream about becoming Bollywood stars. India's respected school 'Actor Prepares' became operational in the UK from September 10, 2008 after selecting its first batch of eight students for a three months course in acting. The school is the brain child of India's ace actor Anupam Kher who has acted in more than 350 films, including a number of English films such as 'Bend It Beckham'. Actor Prepares UK and Europe is a joint partnership between Actor Prepares Mumbai, Heathrow City Partnership and Ealing Institute of Media. "Dreams do come true," says Ash Verma, the man behind making it possible in the UK.

Ash Verma, the Chief Executive Officer of Heathrow City Partnership, a business-led, private and public sector organisation, initially thought about Bollywood Connect, an initiative to create an arena for people from all backgrounds to access the growing jobs and business opportunities in the creative/media industry. 

"Film-making in India will multiply manifold in the coming months and years. India’s media and entertainment industry is one of the fastest growing industries in the world, according to PricewaterhouseCoopers, the world's largest accounting firm. Its revenues grew 20% in 2006, about 19% in 2007, and they will reach $22.5 billion by 2011. If right steps are taken now, London could emerge as Bollywood's international capital and Heathrow City could be its gateway," says Verma in an interview with India-EU Film Initiative.  

He says 'Actor Prepares' is just the beginning in a direction to provide opportunities to those in the UK who aspire to be a part of such a talented and rewarding industry.

Ash Verma adds he found an ideal partner in Anupam Kher who is widely respected for his sincerity and multitude of talent in the Indian film industry.

When students become top stars

'Actor Prepares' was established in India over three years ago and is now one of the country’s prestigious acting schools for students wishing to pursue careers in the entertainment industry. Its website says Kher’s students include actors such as Abhishek Bachchan, Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone.

From September 2008, the UK and Europe Actor Prepares School will start to mould the best of the UK’s acting talent in an effort to meet the growing demand from the film and TV industry for skilled actors around the world.

The course and fee

The first course starts in Sep 2008 followed by Jan 2009 and May 2009 courses. The three month intensive course is designed for those students who are serious about breaking into acting for TV and Film.

According to Verma the students will benefit from a range of training and mentoring opportunities delivered by industry experts from the UK and Bollywood. They will be charged a fee of £6,000 with an audition fee of £25