Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Dr. Priyadarshini G. Roy. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Dr. Priyadarshini, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.
I have a theory that every child, at their core, knows what they are meant to do even before family or society begins to alter their views. God sends us all with a PURPOSE, and young children intrinsically know what their purpose is (not talking about fantasy/wishes) because their conscience is still pure.
I always knew what I was meant to do. Every time I deterred from it, I failed, but every failure brought me one step closer to my true potential. It built character and taught the value of persistence and patience. Most importantly, the importance of losing “control” of the results while being accountable for your actions may be the most liberating form of faith exercised.
I was 2 years old when I first saw a movie in theaters in my hometown of New Delhi, India. My mom told me that, I did not sit for the entire duration of the movie and stood on the chair and jumped up and down during the Bollywood film. Movies have mesmerized me ever since then. I knew I wanted to pursue the arts and that my life was meant for the silver screen. In first grade, I told my father while watching an award show, that that’s where I see myself growing up. My parents were very supportive and decided to put me in intro training for extracurricular activities in acting, music, and dance. Looking back at my childhood photos, it was so evident that I innately knew what I wanted to become as I adorned my mother’s jewelry, put on her lipstick, and modeled whatever I was wearing; even my school uniform.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Thank you for this opportunity to share my journey and work. My story begins as a three-year-old immigrant from New Delhi, India, raised in Los Angeles, California, where my upbringing was a fusion of Indian and American cultures. My parents instilled the value of education and creativity in me from a young age. I balanced academic and artistic pursuits, excelling in both fields, which eventually shaped the multifaceted career I have today. While I have had a fulfilling career in Hollywood spanning film, television, and music, my connection to Indian culture and heritage has always been profound. Despite being raised in L.A., I remained closely tied to my roots by speaking Hindi and Bengali fluently and pursuing training in Indian and Western music, dance, and film.
Professionally, I wear many hats: actor, singer, dancer, producer, professor/scholar, four-time pageant queen, and writer. My journey into the entertainment industry began as an extracurricular passion but evolved into a lifelong commitment to storytelling. My curiosity about the mechanics behind the scenes led me to pursue a formal education in media and film. I hold a Ph.D. in Strategic Media and an M.F.A. in Digital Cinema, graduated both with High Distinction, 4.0 GPAs, and a gold medal for my doctoral studies. My recent publications include the U.S. Library of Congress Repositories, Millennium Post, and Voyage LA. These academic milestones underline my dedication to not only understanding storytelling but mastering the mediums through which stories are told.
In Hollywood, my first television appearances were through reality shows like American Idol, The X-Factor, and The Voice. I was also on the first Indian American reality series of its kind, on Zee TV USA’s Made in America. Furthermore, I acted, wrote, and produced commercials with SonyTV USA. I hosted/produced my podcast on Rukus Avenue Radio (iHeartRadio which has over 10 million listeners, where I’ve had the privilege of interviewing legends such as S.S. Rajamouli, Vishal and Rekha Bhardwaj, Anoushka Shankar, and Guneet Monga among many other dignitaries. These experiences honed my ability to navigate diverse narratives and audiences. In Hindi cinema, I worked as a Continuity Supervisor and Assistant Director under the legendary filmmaker Goutam Ghose for the Indo-Italian co-production, Parikrama, staring Marco Leonardi and Chitrangada Singh which premiered at the Giffoni Film Festival earlier this July. I also helped with Location Scouting for Shoojit Sircar’s film, I Want to Talk, starring Abhishek Bachchan.
Through my U.S. production company, Priyadarshini Films and Entertainment LLC, I focus on creating meaningful content, including commercials, podcasts, short films, and documentaries. One of my proudest achievements is my M.F.A. thesis film Colonized—The Largest Genocide, which has won 14 international awards including Best Documentary, Best Female Director, and Best Story which is being developed into a documentary series on a major streaming platform.
Devi Chowdhurani: The Bandit Queen of Bengal produced by ADited Motion Pictures and Lok Arts Collective, marks a pivotal moment in my career, serving as both my pan-India film acting debut and an opportunity to step into the role of Associate Producer under Priyadarshini Pictures and Entertainment. This project is deeply meaningful as it reconnects me with my roots and allows me to bring the character of Diba to life in a way that resonates emotionally and culturally with audiences. During my narration, director, Subhrajit Mitra described Diba as a multi-dimensional character: a resolute and courageous warrior set against the turbulent pre-independence era of late 18th-century Bengal, India. She embodies resilience and empowerment, navigating both internal struggles and external conflicts during a time when women faced significant societal limitations. To portray her authenticity, I immersed myself in rigorous preparation, including acting workshops, weight-loss physical training, horse riding, sword-fighting, and performing my own stunts.
As I look ahead, I aim to balance roles across the American and Indian film industries in Hindi, Bengali, English, and beyond. Cinema’s universal appeal lies in its ability to bring diverse narratives to life, and I remain committed to contributing to stories that bridge cultures and celebrate human experiences. What sets me apart is the breadth of my experience and my commitment to representing underrepresented voices. As an Indian American, I’ve navigated stereotypes in the industry and challenged narratives that fail to reflect the authentic immigrant and native experience. Indian cinema, in particular, brings an intellectual depth rooted in literature and regional storytelling traditions, making my work in this space deeply personal. Looking ahead, I’m committed to projects that highlight strong female protagonists and empower diverse voices across the world. Through acting, producing, music, and dance, I aim to bridge cultural gaps and bring untold stories to global audiences. My work with Devi Chowdhurani symbolizes this mission, connecting my roots with audiences worldwide.
Beyond entertainment, I’m passionate about advocacy and education. As a professor, I teach at various universities in the U.S. on media, communication, art, and AI. I’ve moderated global panel discussions hosted by the Power of Women (C20/G20 2023 Summit and United Nation’s Commission on the Status of Women) and digital conferences with the Los Angeles Tribune. I’ve been recognized by the U.S. Congress-House of Representatives, the City of Los Angeles, the National Federation of Indian Americans, and other institutions for my leadership. I plan to continue working in the media and academia by expanding my efforts to mentor the next generation of media professionals. What I hope people take away from my story is that success is built on perseverance, patience, and purpose. I am most proud of the resilience my family and I have shown in overcoming personal and professional challenges. Through my journey, I strive to inspire others to embrace their passions, give back to their communities, and stay true to their identities.
In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?
To best support artists and creatives, society must move beyond superficial metrics like follower counts and superficial popularity. Too often, the industry becomes obsessed with numbers and influence, leading to the rise of individuals who may have millions of followers but lack genuine opportunities. Instead of relying on hype, society should foster an environment of mutual support, where artists are valued for their unique craft, regardless of the platform they occupy. Encouraging collaboration over competition, mentorship over gatekeeping, and creating spaces for honest, unfiltered work would help to build a truly thriving ecosystem. Most importantly, society needs to understand that success is deeply personal and doesn’t always fit into predefined molds.
Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?
Non-creatives often struggle to grasp the continuous learning and effort required in a creative journey. Success in the arts isn’t linear, and it goes far beyond talent or inspiration. I encourage everyone, creative or not, to prioritize education in their field, whether through formal degrees, workshops, books, podcasts, or seminars. Skills such as storytelling, production, or marketing are invaluable for creating and sustaining one’s content. Creativity thrives on curiosity and self-improvement, and the journey requires resilience, adaptability, and a commitment to personal and professional growth. One of the biggest misconceptions about the creative journey is that it’s easy, or that it’s only about being seen and looking “pretty.” For non-creatives, it can be hard to understand that the entertainment industry demands much more than surface-level engagement. It’s a 24/7 lifestyle that involves long hours, constant training, and preparation. Unlike a traditional 9-to-5 job, we don’t have the luxury of sick leave or set work hours. Behind every project are grueling 12-hour shoots, hair, makeup, travel time, and ongoing mental and physical demands. Creatives are constantly learning, adapting, and honing their skills—whether through formal education, podcasts, or workshops. So, it’s essential to keep learning, no matter where you are in your journey, and develop skills that allow you to create content and bring your own voice to the world. While the perks of entertainment may include digital fame and recognition, the flip side of being in the public eye can be emotionally exhausting since we are cognizant of how our mood affects others, we can’t show our bad days and as they say, “the show must go on”.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.priyadarshinigroy.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.priyadarshinig.roy/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PriyadarshiniG.RoyOfficial/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drpriyadarshinigroy/
- Twitter: https://x.com/DrPriyaGRoy
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@DrPriyadarshiniGRoy
- Other: https://www.priyadarshinifilmsandentertainment.com/
Image Credits
Gene Lewis-Virtu Imagery
Arjun Rajan Photography