The
Lee Strasberg Theatre And Film Institute to open campuses in
Hyderabad and Mumbai
Hyderabad|India|July'2009: In an exciting new
venture into the development of international acting talent, the New York
headquartered prestigious Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute, home
of Strasberg’s trademarked "Method" acting training process, announces the
Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute India. The Lee Strasberg Theatre
and Film Institute in a partnership with Optimus Management Group, of
Hartford, Connecticut plans to open at two locations in India, Mumbai and
Hyderabad, by early 2010. The institute has trained Hollywood stars like
Marilyn Monroe, Al Pacino, Julia Roberts, Angelina Jolie and many others
including the Bollywood heartthrobs Ranbir Kapoor and Ritesh Deshmukh.
Founder and CEO of Optimus Management Group, Ahmed A. Ahsan, and esteemed
Bollywood director Rahul Rawail have formed an exclusive partnership to
operate the Lee Strasberg Institute in India. In a contract signed with
co-founder Anna Strasberg and CEO David Lee Strasberg, they have entered
into an agreement to develop the first Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film
Institute India which will offer students the only sanctioned "Method"
training facility outside of the US. Currently, there are two Strasberg
Theater and Film Institutes operating in this country; at their
headquarters in New York City and in Los Angeles.
The Strasberg Institute India will be run by veteran Bollywood Director
Rahuul Rawail who has more than 30 films to his credit including some of
the biggest blockbusters of the Indian cinema. Mr. Rawail is also keenly
interested in the development of young talent. As CEO of the Institute in
India, Mr. Rawail hopes to offer the next generation of talented Indian
actors the chance to compete globally as the country continues to export
more of its films and its stars to the international market.
Strasberg Institute India’s co-founder, Ahmed A. Ahsan, has grown the
Optimus Management Group in Hartford, Connecticut into an award-winning
company, which provides management consulting and human resource solutions
throughout the country. Mr. Ahsan was inspired by recent growth in the
Bollywood film industry and decided to apply his business acumen to the
development of a top-notch Acting School in India so that interested and
talented young actors who couldn’t afford the expense of studying abroad
could take advantage of the best actors’ training available. He also
envisions the long-term potential for attracting a stream of production
opportunities to Connecticut and North America. The development of the Lee
Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute India is the first step in that
direction.
Commenting on the Institute opening up in India, David Strasberg said that
now the Strasberg "Method" of training actors would be available closer
home to India and the SAARC countries. He also said "that as of now the
Strasberg family has been extended to include 2 more members Ahmed Ahsan
and Rahul Rawail". Rahul Rawail informs that the faculty in India had
already been identified and approved by David Strasberg. The India Faculty
members would soon be visiting New York to be trained in the "METHOD"
established by Lee Strasberg.
With the opening of the only International branch, in India, The Lee
Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute at all three locations would work in
tandem with each other providing a wider option for prospective actors.
The Indian Operation will be launched in the first quarter of January and
Anna Strasberg would like to have the alumni of the school, from USA and
India, come together for the launch of the Indian operation which would
also serve as a reunion for the alumni.
Reachout's News Bureau
July' 2009
