Fagun
Fagun at the Annual 64th Cannes Film Festival
Born
Leicester, Leicestershire, England, UK
Alma materUniversity of Cambridge University College London Medical School, Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, London College of Fashion
Occupation(s)Actress, director, writer, producer, global ambassador, activist, fashion designer, philanthropist,
Years activeSince 2011

Fagun Thakrar is an English actress, writer-director, founder, social entrepreneur and activist. Fagun has appeared in several British, American, and Indian cinema.[1] Fagun is the founder and CEO of the Purpose Movie Studio.[2] Fagun is involved in many global non-profit organizations, particularly in initiatives related to global health and holistic well-being. She also established the Creatively Inspired Life Foundation to offer workshops in creative arts.[3][4]

Early life

Fagun was born in Leicester, Leicestershire, England.[5] She studied at Beauchamp College in Oadby.

Fagun has studied five degrees at internationally renowned universities. Initially Fagun moved to London to study medicine at University College London.[6] Later, she diversified her education by training in classical acting at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama (RCSSD) and the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London[6] and pursued film directing studies in the US.[7] She also holds a master's degree from the London College of Fashion.[7] Subsequently, Fagun acquired an MBA to broaden her scope in the business sector. She has further advanced her academic qualifications by earning a fifth degree from the University of Cambridge.[8]

Fagun's educational achievements was chronicled in a special segment for ITV News for maintaining her "straight A" record under a particularly challenging course load in high school and college.[9]

Film career

Acting

Whilst studying, Fagun competed against thousands of contestants and won BBC's Bolly Idol, an adoption of Pop and America idol after which she was offered her first lead stage role. [10]

For her first cinematic role, Fagun starred as Nabeela in the film, Brick Lane,[11] shot on location in London. She then played Mandy Edge for the long running BBC hospital TV series, Holby City.[12] Her acting roles include the title part of Zohra and the lead part of Deepa Verma, in the thriller Blood and Curry.[13] Fagun portrayed Rekha opposite Martin Sheen and Kal Penn in the American film Bhopal: Prayer for Rain.

She attended the Cannes Film festival in 2011.[14] She was hand-picked by internationally acclaimed film director Shekhar Kapur for the premiere of the movie Bollywood, The Greatest Love Story Ever Told.

In addition to her acting credits on film, Fagun has performed in several Shakespeare plays, including as Juliet in Romeo and Juliet.  She has also appeared in commercials representing L'Oréal, IBM and Vodafone.

Writing and directing

As a writer and director Fagun intends to focus on films about social issues.[15]

Fagun is currently directing a documentary How Our Brains Are Affected by Meditation.[16]

Non-profit activities

Global activism

Fagun was appointed as the Global Ambassador for The International Forum Advocating for Women's Brain and Health, which holds an annual meeting in Zurich, Switzerland. The organization unites experts and representatives from various scientific disciplines and practice fields, with the aim of advancing the study and enhancement of brain and mental health.[17]

Fagun founded The Creatively Inspired Life Foundation, a non-profit organization.[18]

Fagun served as the international spokeswoman for SAHARA (South Asian Helpline And Referral Agency), a culturally sensitive organization that supports women in Southern California through personal crisis. Fagun continues to work with The United Nations and Amnesty International, among other global organizations [19]

Awards and Honors

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) honored Fagun on their selective Newcomers Program, awarded to international rising stars.[20][21][22]

Fagun was awarded the Leicester Arts Achievement Award for her contribution and supporting young people in the arts.[23]

Fagun's career achievements were featured alongside those of actors, including Dame Judi Dench, in a historical book on British actors on stage and cinema over the past eight decades. [24]

In March 2023, Fagun was selected as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum, recognizing her as one of the world's most promising leaders.[25]

References

  1. ↑ "Interview With Fagun Thakrar". glamsham.com. Retrieved 19 June 2012.
  2. ↑ "The Purpose Movie Studio". Retrieved 31 October 2023.
  3. ↑ Morgan, Elena (19 April 2021). "Fagun Thakrar expands creativity focused not-for-profit - News & insight". Cambridge Judge Business School. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
  4. ↑ "Creatively Inspired Life – Helping Young People through the Arts". Retrieved 31 October 2023.
  5. ↑ "Fagun Thakrar – One To Watch – movieScope Magazine | movieScope Magazine". Moviescopemag.com. 14 August 2010. Archived from the original on 27 December 2011. Retrieved 19 June 2012.
  6. 1 2 "Fagun Thakrar | HuffPost". www.huffpost.com. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
  7. 1 2 Arif-Fear, Elizabeth (5 February 2019). "Empowering women through the arts: Meet women's NGO the Fagun Foundation, led by actress and activist Fagun Thakrar". Voice of Salam. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
  8. ↑ "Fagun Thakrar expands creativity focused not-for-profit - News & insight". Cambridge Judge Business School. 19 April 2021. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
  9. ↑ "Interview With Brit Star Fagun Thakrar – Anglotopia.net | Anglotopia – For People That Love Britain". 28 September 2010. Retrieved 19 June 2012.
  10. ↑ "Notable Alumni - Beauchamp College". www.beauchamp.org.uk. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  11. ↑ "CINEMA: Hollywood Beckons: Chat with Fagun Thakrar | SEPTEMBER 2010 | Celebrating 11 Years". Siliconeer. Retrieved 19 June 2012.
  12. ↑ "New Indian Express". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 19 June 2012.
  13. ↑ "Celebrity Travel: Fagun Thakrar". Whereandnow.com. Archived from the original on 17 November 2015. Retrieved 19 June 2012.
  14. ↑ "Hindustan Times - Archive News". Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 13 March 2014.
  15. ↑ https://www.jbs.cam.ac.uk/2021/fagun-thakrar-expands-creativity-focused-not-for-profit/
  16. ↑ How Our Brains Are Affected by Meditation, retrieved 18 June 2019
  17. ↑ forum-wbp. "Fagun Thakrar – International Forum on Woman's Brain & Mental Health". Archived from the original on 9 June 2023. Retrieved 18 June 2019.
  18. ↑ "Fagun Thakrar at Women in Film Oscar event". ChennaiPatrika. Retrieved 12 March 2017.
  19. ↑ https://justcelebritymag.com/2010/09/04/introducing-fagun-thakrar/
  20. ↑ Wiseman, Andreas (24 July 2018). "Coming To America: BAFTA LA Expands Newcomers Program To International Talent & Biz". Deadline. Retrieved 14 November 2022.
  21. ↑ "BAFTA Los Angeles Announces the 2017-18 Newcomers Program Participants". www.bafta.org. 28 July 2017. Retrieved 14 November 2022.
  22. ↑ Wyche2017-07-28T19:08:00+01:00, Elbert. "BAFTA LA announces Newcomer Programme participants". Screen. Retrieved 14 November 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  23. ↑ "Fagun Thakrar Becomes First Actor that Leicester Honors with Prestigious Award for Artistic Achievement". PRWeb. Retrieved 14 November 2022.
  24. ↑ https://www.indiablooms.com/showbiz-details/B/5064/fagun-thakrar-chosen-to-be-in-the-book-of-the-history-of-british-actors.html
  25. ↑ "Here are 2023's Young Global Leaders, from macroeconomics to opera". World Economic Forum. 14 March 2023. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
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