From Cannes to Comic Con: Hemwant Tiwari taking global strides with Hollywood

Actor Hemwant Tiwari, who is currently working on the international TV series Medinah, recently visited Comic Con San Diego 2017 with the show.

His first film Zindagi Bahut Khoobsurat was screened at Cannes and now, with his first international venture, Medinah, Hemwant Tiwari visited the recently concluded Comic Con San Diego 2017. Hemwant, who was born in Bihar (now Jhakhand), is currently working with Eric Roberts and Natasha Henstridge in the international TV series Medinah. 

Hemwant Tiwari poses infront of the crowd at the screening of Medinah at Comic Con San Diego.

Medinah was screened in front of 4,000 people at the Comic Con and the response after the premiere was impressive.  “It was heartwarming and emotional. I was really happy after watching the episode as the team had done a good job. After the premiere, we were called on stage for a Q&A session. I am glad that I stepped on that stage as the same platform was later shared by Will Smith, Halle Berry, Colin Firth, Chaning Tatum and many more,” the actor told Hindustan Times.

“My bhaiya and bhabhi kept calling me to Dubai to visit them but I always said that my first trip outside India will be for work. I didn’t know when will that happen but it did,” he added.

When a rocket launch goes awry, a group of strangers get stuck in a cave in the desert trying to survive, while the corporation that launched the rocket attempts to figure out what went wrong. This is what Medinah is all about. Tiwari plays a bus driver in the series who wants to earn money and take care of his family back in india . Directed by Wayne Rose and Jason Bourque, the series was shot in Qatar. Hemwant said they have finished shooting for season one which has seven episodes. Ahmed al Baker is the creator of the show and is known for the zombie movie Lockdown: Red Moon Escape and The Package Vol. 1. The makers claim it is the first sci-fi Arab series and first 3D movie from the Middle East.

Hemwant Tiwari told IANS, “While working on this project (Medinah), the thing that really excited me was the diversity of people I was working with. Almost 17 countries, including the cast and the crew, were working like a family and understood different cultures. We used to have breakfast together, talk about their countries, families and their cultures. The film scenarios in their country are very well organised and I loved shooting every bit of it,” he added.

Does he aspire to work in Bollywood as well? “I would love to play all the roles in Bollywood as an actor and I want to do everything from masala, dance, entertainment, thriller, romance to biopics as well. Every role excites me as I really enjoy the process of working on my character as that’s the best part as an actor and comedy is one thing I find difficult but would see what will happen when it comes my way. I am ready to face all challenges which will come on my way whether it’s Bollywood or Hollywood,” he added.

With his record of international projects, Hemwant may soon join the ranks of Priyanka Chopra (Baywatch, Quantico), Nimrat Kaur (Homeland, Wayward Pines) and the likes.

“Who doesn’t want to join the league of Priyanka Chopra and Deepika Padukone? It is their stardom that opens up space for me to the world. We get known first by them and then when they see our work they get impressed. I am definitely looking forward to be part of many other Hollywood projects,” he said.

His first film Zindagi Bahut Khoobsurat was screened at the Court Metrage, the short film corner of the 66th edition of Cannes Film Festival, in 2013. Also his short film Panaah was very well received by the critics and the audiences.  He has also directed and acted in a short film called Salaam.

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