Aditya Bhattacharya

Biography

Aditya Bhattacharya is a Barcelona, Bombay and Los Angeles based independent writer/director/producer. He recently completed his 4th feature, BMW (Bombay’s Most Wanted,) lensed by Lisa Rinzler and starring Sarita Choudhry (Homeland) and Indian Star, Jaaved Jafferi. Aditya is presently on his LA-based 5Th, co-starring Kunal Nayyar (The Big Bang Theory) and is in development on a slate of films including Kalaghoda, a Bombay based adaptation of Johnny To’s Cult Hong Kong based hit, PTU starring Kunaal Roy Kapur (Delhi Belly.) Bhattacharya’s award winning films have played internationally including at: The Rotterdam Film Festival, SXSW, The Cairo Int’l Film Festival, Seattle and Goa Film Festivals. He has been an actor, renowned chef of Indian cuisine in Rome, Italy and a prolific photojournalist. In 1989, his directorial debut Raakh (Ashes to Ashes,) was Indian superstar, Aamir Khan’s (Three Idiots, Lagaan) first starring role and the first Hindi feature for acclaimed cinematographer Santosh Sivan (Before The rains) and for India’s top Editor, Sreekar Prasad. Senso Unico, his sophomore feature is the only Italian film ever made by an Indian. Following that Aditya made Dubai Return, the first Indian film to star Irrfan Khan, (Slumdog Millionaire, The Lunchbox.) Aditya was recently the Chief Creative Officer of the Los Angeles and Mumbai based, Tulsea Pictures. Since 2007, Aditya is a founding member of the Indian Independent Filmmakers – a not for profit organisation with more than 200 filmmakers, writers, actors and producers as its members. IIFW provided a platform for new talent to find their voice and succeed in the Film industry. Was also the ‘umbrella” organisation at Cannes for Indian independents. Recently rejuvenated, the IIFW has organised various landmark events and Masterclasses with globally renowned filmmakers like Danny Boyle, Mira Nair, Shekhar Kapur and most recently Raju Hirani. He has served on the Entertainment Committee of the 115 year old, Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) and twice on the script committee of the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC). He has been an advisor to the Italian Culture Ministry and on the Juries of the Arcipelago Festival in Rome and on the 50th anniversary Indian Documentary Producer’s Association (IDPA) awards. He has earlier been Head of International Business for Varma Corp. and an International Business consultant for Mid-day Multimedia Ltd. and Seven Entertainment. (Along with ex-Prime Minister, Romano Prodi,) Aditya is an honorary member of The Italy India Association. He earlier was a company director in Rossellini & Associates, which brought Life Is beautiful and subsequently two other Miramax classics Chocolat and A hard Day’s Night to India. He is the grandson of Bimal Roy (Devdas, Madhumati), one of the pioneers of Indian cinema, and the son of Basu Bhattacharya (Teesri Kasam, Anubhav) a noted independent filmmaker.