Lakshmi
Tess Joseph cast in Nepal and India auditioning over 1,000 girls to find Lakshmi. This is Niyar’s first featured role. She’s incredible. She acts, sings, and dances so well she’s earned an acting scholarship from the Indian government. Niyar has a bright future ahead of her.
Mumtaz
Dostana, Golmaal, King Uncle. Sushmita is well known as a TV star. She brought so much dimensionality and color to her role of Mumtaz. You hate and pity her in equal measure. Mumtaz is larger than life and yet terrifying and completely authentic.
Auntie Bimla
Monsoon Wedding, The Waiting City, Gangor. Tilly is filled with creativity and nuance, tireless and passionate. She helped audition all the other actors. She is fierce as Auntie Bimla.
Sophia
X-Files. Last King of Scotland. House of Mirth. Bleak House. Gillian is a powerhouse. Her role is inspired by photographer Lisa Kristine who has photographed slaves all over the world. They met on set and Lisa showed Gillian how she works in the field—quickly.
Sam
Never Been Kissed, Scream, Dream with the Fishes. David’s amazing! He got right off a 23 hour plane ride with a twelve and a half hour time difference and went straight to set. SOLD made David a committed abolitionist.
Vikram
Kahaani, Baishe Srabon, Bhooter Bhabishvat. To research his role, Parambrata met with undercover police who do rescues. He is beloved throughout India and especially in Kolkata where he comes from.
Harish
Saptarshi, the smallest and youngest actor in our cast is also one of the most experienced. With two TV series and 3 features under his belt already. At the wrap party he danced like Michael Jackson. We love Saptarshi!
Shahanna
Once we cast Aratrika, we had to convince her principal to let her out of exams at school. After many cups of chai, she let her do our film to help the many girls forced into sexual slavery. Aratrika is a talented actress. We couldn’t imagine anyone else in this role.
Monica
Johnny Gaddaar, Gangor, Gulab Gang, Sorry Bhai. Priyanka claimed the role of Monica with an amazing audition. Before acting, she danced. She has great instincts and natural charisma. She breaks hearts as Monica.
Bandit Queen, Water, Midnight’s Children
Seema did an amazing job transforming into a Nepali Villager. She’s won most of the major acting awards in India for her many distinguished roles. We were lucky to work with her.
Pushpa
Mumbai Calling, All that Glitters, Offshore. Ratnabali is a serious stage and film actress. When Pushpa screams for her daughter, it is primal!
Anita
Life Goes On, Hackney’s Finest, Olivia Twist
Neerja is based in London. SOLD brought her to India for the first time and she loved it. She’s credited as an associate producer for helping in many ways.
Mrs. Tripathi
Seirah grew up in America, but her parents are from Southern India. She learned her Bengali accent from Urmi Basu, founder of New Light. Seirah is also an associate producer working as an integral member of our team.
Ganesh
Je Bho Ramrai Bho. Madan always made us all laugh with his great sense of humor. He and Hari have worked together for years. Nepalis love these two men for their humor and philanthropic work.
Varun
Slumdog Millionnaire. Maqbool. Striker. 24 Hours.
Against to character, Ankur is one of the sweetest and kindest people you could meet.
Karkar
Je Bho Ramrai Bho. Hari not only sang the Tihar song when Bimla meets Lakshmi, he also wrote both the lyrics and music. Hari and Madan have acted together in Nepal for 30 years. They are cherished and loved by all of the Nepali people.
Police Chief
Zoolander, One Dollar Curry, Ek Ajnabee. Vikram plays the fearless police chief who leads the second raid. He is credited as an associate producer and will help us raise funds for survivors in NY.
Diya
My Son the Fanatic. Mission Kashmir. 1942 A Love Story. Gopi is a writer/director as well as an accomplished actress. She brought so much authority to her role as Diya, the tough cook with a heart of gold.
Suren
Himanshu’s dream of playing a bad guy was finally realized with his role in SOLD. He was so happy getting beaten up, punched and kicked by four stunt men in his final scene. In India bad guys are called negative characters. We are sure Himanshu will have many more negative and positive characters to play in his future.
Tanak
Saksham was terrifying as Tanak. He inhabited the goonda (thug) role with great ease. Luckily, he is also a wonderful person. This is a talented young actor we know we will see a great deal more of.