Ashok Amritraj

{{Infobox person

| name = Ashok Amritraj

| image = Ashok Amritraj (2008).jpg

| caption = Amritraj in March 2008

| nationality = Indian (former)
American

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1956|2|22}}

| birth_place = Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

| death_date =

| death_place =

}}

Ashok Amritraj (born 22 February 1956){{Cite news|url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1090221/jsp/entertainment/story_10566759.jsp|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120919160139/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1090221/jsp/entertainment/story_10566759.jsp|url-status=dead|archive-date=19 September 2012|title=Slumdog will sweep | location=Calcutta, India | work=The Telegraph|first=Amit|last=Roy|date=21 February 2009}} is an Indian-American athlete and film producer. He is chairman and CEO of the Hyde Park Entertainment Group and was formerly CEO of National Geographic Films. He played tennis professionally in his youth, one of the Indians in the top levels of the sport.{{cite web |title=Ashok Amritraj |url=https://www.atptour.com/en/players/ashok-amritraj/a059/overview |access-date=15 May 2008 |website=ATP Tour}}

Career

Ashok Amritraj and his elder brothers, Anand and Vijay, were among the first Indians to play in top-flight international tour tennis.{{cite web |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india-today-insight/story/amritraj-brothers-on-a-winning-streak-2418604-2023-08-09 |title=Amritraj brothers: On a winning streak |date=9 August 2023 |orig-date=31 December 1991 }}

In 1999, Amritraj partnered with film producer David Hoberman to start a film financing and production company Hyde Park Entertainment.{{Cite web |last=Carver |first=Benedict |date=1999-07-26 |title=Amritraj, Hoberman set up shop |url=https://variety.com/1999/film/news/amritraj-hoberman-set-up-shop-1117744153/ |access-date=2024-08-26 |website=Variety |language=en-US}} Hoberman left in 2002 to re-form Mandeville Films and Amritraj ran Hyde Park alone.{{Cite web |last=Dunkley |first=Dana Harris,Cathy |date=2002-08-01 |title=Hyde Park duo split |url=https://variety.com/2002/film/news/hyde-park-duo-split-1117870598/ |access-date=2024-08-26 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}

Amritraj has produced over 100 films during his 35-year career with collective worldwide revenues in excess of US$2 billion.{{Cite news |last1=Alberge |first1=Dalya |date=March 2019 |title=Ashok Amritraj on making the leap from sports star to movie mogul|website=Financial Times|location=London |url=https://www.ft.com/content/bc1dde3e-1f36-11e9-a46f-08f9738d6b2b |access-date=2019-07-03}} He partnered with multiple Hollywood studios and produced films starring Robert De Niro,{{Cite web|url=http://businessworld.in/article/It-Is-The-Time-Of-Disruption-Ashok-Amritraj-/24-08-2018-158465|title=It Is The Time of Disruption: Ashok Amritraj|last=Jha|first=Manish Kumar|website=BW Businessworld|access-date=2019-07-03}} Antonio Banderas, and Jennifer Aniston.{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2013/09/toronto-lionsgateroadside-near-u-s-deal-for-elmore-leonards-life-of-crime-584138/|title=Toronto: Elmore Leonard's 'Life of Crime' Near U.S. Deal With Lionsgate/Roadside|last= Fleming|first=Mike Jr.|date=2013-09-11|website=Deadline|access-date=2019-07-03}} Amritraj has made notable films such as Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance, starring Nicolas Cage,{{Cite news |last=Kaufman |first=Amy |date=2012-02-17 |title=Movie Projector: 'Ghost Rider' sequel to scorch competition |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-xpm-2012-feb-17-la-fi-ct-projector-20120217-story.html |access-date=2019-07-03 |work=Los Angeles Times |issn=0458-3035}} Bringing Down the House, starring Steve Martin,{{Cite web |last=McCarthy |first=Todd |date=2003-02-23 |title=Bringing Down the House |url=https://variety.com/2003/film/reviews/bringing-down-the-house-1200543214/ |access-date=2019-07-03 |website=Variety}} Premonition, starring Sandra Bullock,{{Cite web |date=2005-11-10 |title=McMahon Has 'Premonition' for TriStar |url=https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/mcmahon-premonition-tristar-31081/ |access-date=2019-07-03 |website=backstage.com}} and Walking Tall starring Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson.{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2003/scene/markets-festivals/fox-takes-international-on-hyde-park-shopgirl-1117892612/|title=Fox takes international on Hyde Park 'Shopgirl'|last1=Brodesser|first1=Claude|last2=Dunkley|first2=Cathy|date=2003-09-18|website=Variety|access-date=2019-07-03}}

In 2015, Amritraj was given an honorary Doctorate of the Arts from the University of East London.{{Cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/sports/ashok-amritraj-awarded-honorary-doctorate-by-a-london-varsity/articleshow/49842998.cms|title=Ashok Amritraj awarded honorary doctorate by a London Varsity|date=2015-11-19|work=The Economic Times|access-date=2019-07-03}} In 2016, he was appointed as the first United Nations India Goodwill Ambassador for the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals.{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2017/biz/news/hyde-park-ashok-amritraj-un-india-1201974655/|title=Hyde Park Entertainment's Ashok Amritraj on His New Role as India Goodwill Ambassador|last=Frater|first=Patrick|date=2017-02-02|website=Variety|access-date=2019-07-03}} In December 2018, by decree of the President of the Republic of France, Amritraj was appointed a Chevalier of the Ordre National du Merité.{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2018/film/asia/ashok-amritraj-decorated-french-government-1203089843/|title=Ashok Amritraj Decorated by French Government|last=Frater|first=Patrick|date=2018-12-14|website=Variety|access-date=2019-07-03}}

In 2022, Hyde Park and Warner Music Entertainment launched the Hyde Park Entertainment and Warner Music Entertainment Asian Women Fellowship, in partnership with Film Independent, which will showcase women-identifying writers and writer-directors who are Asian or part of the Asian Diaspora.{{Cite web |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |date=2022-03-10 |title=Hyde Park, Warner Music & Film Independent Name Sari Arambulo Inaugural Winner of Asian Women Fellowship |url=https://deadline.com/2022/03/hyde-park-warner-music-film-independent-sari-arambulo-asian-women-fellowship-1234975186/ |access-date=2022-04-22 |website=Deadline}} Amritraj serves on the Producer's A2025 committee to advance inclusion & equitable opportunities at the Academy of Motion Pictures & Arts,{{Cite web |title=ASHOK AMRITRAJ – Hollywood Film Producer |url=https://www.indiawest.com/online_features/ashok-amritraj---hollywood-film-producer/article_f071eed0-db90-11e3-b969-0019bb2963f4.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190628231106/https://www.indiawest.com/online_features/ashok-amritraj---hollywood-film-producer/article_f071eed0-db90-11e3-b969-0019bb2963f4.html |archive-date=28 June 2019 |access-date=2019-07-03 |website=India West}} and on the advisory board for the Dodge Film School at Chapman University.{{Cite web |title=Dodge College Moves Up to #6 Spot in The Hollywood Reporter's Annual Ranking of Top 25 Film Schools – Maintains 'Top 10' Status for fifth Consecutive Year |url=https://blogs.chapman.edu/dodge/2017/08/16/dodge-college-moves-up-to-6-spot-in-the-hollywood-reporters-annual-ranking-of-top-25-film-schools/ |access-date=2019-07-03 |website=Dodge College of Film and Media Arts}}

As of 2021, Amritraj's projects included a biopic about Arthur Ashe with Warner Music Group;{{Cite web |last1=D'Alessandro |first1=Anthony |date=16 June 2020 |title=Hyde Park & Warner Music Group Team For Biopic About Tennis Legend Arthur Ashe |url=https://deadline.com/2020/06/hyde-park-warner-music-group-team-for-biopic-about-legendary-wimbledon-pro-arthur-ashe-1202960304/ |access-date=2024-08-28 |website=Deadline}} The Man Who Lived Underground,{{Cite web |last=Rose |first=Lacey |date=23 June 2021 |title=Kenya Barris Adapting 'The Man Who Lives Underground' for Paramount (Exclusive) |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/kenya-barris-adapting-the-man-who-lives-underground-for-paramount-exclusive-1234972655/ |access-date=2024-08-28 |website=The Hollywood Reporter}} in partnership with Kenya Barris' Khalabo Ink Society and Paramount Pictures; Amnesty for Netflix;{{Cite web |last=Kroll |first=Justin |date=2 February 2021 |title='White Tiger' Director Ramin Bahrani Tapped to Direct 'Amnesty' Adaptation for Netflix |url=https://deadline.com/2021/02/white-tiger-ramin-bahrani-amnesty-netflix-1234685113/ |access-date=2024-08-28 |website=Deadline}} Rubik's Cube, based on the toy with Endeavor Content;{{Cite web |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |date=3 January 2021 |title=Rubik's Cube Movie in the Works from Hyde Park & Endeavor Content |url=https://deadline.com/2021/01/rubiks-cube-movie-in-the-works-from-hyde-park-endeavor-content-1234664098/ |access-date=2024-08-28 |website=Deadline}} Remote Control with STX Films;{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2020/02/gerard-butler-remote-control-leonine-germany-stx-efm-1202866026/|title=EFM Big Deal: Leonine Picks Up German Rights To Gerard Butler Action-Thriller 'Remote Control'|first1=Andreas|last1=Wiseman|date=22 February 2020}} and the remake of the Blake Edwards' film 10 with Warner Bros. Pictures.{{Cite web |last1=D'Alessandro |first1=Anthony |date=15 May 2020 |title=Warner Bros & Remaking Blake Edwards Classic '10' With 'Legally Blonde' Scribes; Julie Andrews Exec Producing |url=https://deadline.com/2020/05/10-remake-warner-bros-blake-edwards-julie-andrews-legally-blonde-screenwriters-1202936196/ |access-date=2024-08-28 |website=Deadline}}

Selected filmography

He was a producer in all the films listed below.

= Film =

class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%;" ! style="background:#B0C4DE;" \| Year ! style="background:#B0C4DE;" \| Film ! style="background:#B0C4DE;" \| Credit ! style="background:#B0C4DE;" \| Notes
1984	Fleshburn	executive producer
rowspan=2\| 1985	Nine Deaths of the Ninja
School Spirit
1986	Smart Alec	executive producer
1988	Bloodstone	co-producer
rowspan=2\| 1989	The Jigsaw Murders	executive producer
Eyewitness to Murder
rowspan=2\| 1990	Night Eyes
Schweitzer
rowspan=5\| 1991	Popcorn
Last Call	executive producer
Double Impact
Legal Tender
Night Eyes 2		cameo
rowspan=2\| 1992	Invasion of Privacy		direct-to-video
Illicit Behavior
rowspan=5\| 1993	Betrayal of the Dove
Tropical Heat
Night Eyes 3
Snapdragon
Scorned	executive producer
rowspan=4\| 1994	Last Resort	executive producer	direct-to-video
Red Sun Rising	executive producer
Illicit Dreams
The Killing Machine	executive producer
rowspan=5\| 1995	Victim of Desire	executive producer	cameo
Street Law	executive producer
Virtual Combat		direct-to-video; cameo
The Donor	executive producer
No Exit	executive producer	direct-to-video
rowspan=6\| 1996	Invisible Mom	executive producer	direct-to-video
Night Hunter
Electra	executive producer
Virus	executive producer
Crash Dive		direct-to-video; cameo
Alone in the Woods
rowspan=7\| 1997	Strategic Command
Inferno
The Shooter
Time Under Fire
Inner Action	executive producer
Scorned 2	executive producer	cameo
Steel Sharks
rowspan=15\| 1998	Scorpio One
Invisible Dad		direct-to-video
Surface to Air
Freedom Strike
Counter Measures		direct-to-video
Jeans
Jungle Boy	executive producer	also writer
Evasive Action
Black Thunder
The Last Siege: Never Surrender
A Murder of Crows
The White Raven
The Boy Who Saved Christmas
Dear Santa
Billy Frankenstein
rowspan=15\| 1999	Tycus		direct-to-video
The Confession	executive producer
Prophet		direct-to-video
Fallout
Fugitive Mind	executive producer	direct-to-video
Angel in Training
Entropy	executive producer
Restraining Order
Five Aces	executive producer
The Boondock Saints	executive producer
Invisible Mom II		direct-to-video
Storm Catcher	executive producer
If... Dog... Rabbit...
The Third Miracle	executive producer
The White River Kid	executive producer
rowspan="4" \|2000 \| Mercy	executive producer
Battlefield Earth	executive producer
The Elf Who Didn't Believe
Get Carter	executive producer
rowspan=4\| 2001	Antitrust	executive producer
What's the Worst That Could Happen?
Original Sin	executive producer
Bandits
2002	Moonlight Mile	executive producer
2003	Bringing Down the House
rowspan=2\| 2004	Walking Tall
Raising Helen
rowspan=2\| 2005	Shopgirl
Dreamer	executive producer
rowspan=5\| 2007	Trade	executive producer
Premonition
Death Sentence
Battle in Seattle	executive producer
Trick 'r Treat	executive producer
rowspan=3\| 2008	Asylum
Traitor	executive producer
The Other End of the Line
rowspan=3\| 2009	Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li
The City of Your Final Destination	executive producer
Dark Country
rowspan=3\| 2010	Machete	executive producer
Leonie
Dylan Dog: Dead of Night	executive producer
rowspan=2\| 2011	The Double
Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance
2013	Life of Crime
rowspan=3\| 2014	Every Secret Thing	executive producer
99 Homes
The Journey Home	executive producer
2015	Careful What You Wish For
rowspan=2\| 2016	The Young Messiah	executive producer
Term Life	executive producer
rowspan=2\| 2017	Killing Hasselhoff
Louder Together	executive producer
rowspan=3\| 2019	Deadcon
Prey
The Global Citizen Concert Film: Louder Together
2021	It Takes Three
rowspan=7\| 2023	Arthur Ashe
The Man Who Lived Underground
Bury The Lede
The Light We Lost
Marianne
Proxy
Wedding Season	executive producer

= Television =

class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%;" ! style="background:#B0C4DE;" \| Year ! style="background:#B0C4DE;" \| Title ! style="background:#B0C4DE;" \| Credit ! style="background:#B0C4DE;" \| Notes
1992	Sexual Response		television film
rowspan=2\| 1996	Blackout		television film
Night Eyes 4: Fatal Passion	executive producer	television film
1997	My Ghost Dog		television film
2011	Lost Christmas	executive producer	television film