CURRICULUM VITAE – 1999-2015

NAME : Ms. DIVYA ARORA

CURRENT PROFILE : Film actor, writer - copy/ content, web, digital TV , film writer-director, AD,Production coordinator, Line production for TV and Films, casting director and model coordinator.

ADDRESS /CURRENT LOCATION : MUMBAI , India .

PREFERRED LOCATION: IN INDIA: MUMBAI, GOA. ABROAD: UK, USA, EUROPE.

DESIRED INDUSTRY/JOB PROFILE : MEDIA AND ENTERTAINMENT

With a valid passport of Indian nationality and valid documents needed for travel domestic and international. With over 15 years’ experience in the field of Writing , Direction, PR , entertainment and the related industries my zest to learn continues. I’m willing to accept domestic projects as well as global ones, where learning, earning and further exposure is the objective. With technology at hand, working remotely is also an open option, entailing writing: content writing / developing, social media, digital media content, blogging and copy writing for project that involve specific product/ services understanding as well.

E-MAIL : divya1406@gmail.com

MOBILE : (+91 - ) 9810033734

PROFESSION : In the PR and entertainment industry with over 15 years experience, in professional capacities. Most recently won India’s first beauty pageant MISS WHEELCHAIR INDIA   2013 as 1st runner up, and Honored with the presidential award ,the KARMAVEER

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PURUSKAAR   AWARD WINNER  2008 -09 ,Dr. Batra posive health hero award 2012, for media and  National award from Indian Acedamy for Cerebral Palsy 2013 for determination, achievement,   And Confidence For Contributions And Work In Media And  NATIONAL LEVEL, THEATRE DIRECTOR – ACTOR…transitting into films .India’s first and only professional national level director - actor, writer, copywriter, content writer, screenplay writer, lyrisist ,  successfully performing  on a wheelchair, commercially into theatre and performing arts, all for the purpose of  creatively spreading  awareness –  creating sensitivity representing the cause, along other professional actors portraying the unmatched Indian talent at a global level as a winner creating visibility for the deserving talent within a  differently able too .

Also a writer, with abilities to ideate and execute , write in  diverse capacities for scripts, screenplays  along with dialogues for films. Produce and cordinate the different aspects of the project , from  pre-production to post production stages. A team player with the ability to work in a team as well as induvidually and   overview and coordinate the teams between the creative directors and the operations.

PROFESSIONAL OBJECTIVE Only to make the professional progression

in to the larger medium of TV and Films. Hence, desiring to continue to be a part of the media industry with films as my first preference in the creative capacity of a writer for varied mediums : content, web, digital. Scripts for films and TV, writer for dialogues, lyrics and screenplays. Further options remain direction, AD, chief AD, Associate Director ,1st /2nd AD, followed by production in the capacity of associate producer, production coordinator , production assistant - leaving options open for related fields to provide creative opportunities.

EDUCATION

1997 : Class 10th in New Delhi. Marks obtained ; 82.4 % (distinction in all subjects.)

1999 : Class 12th (C.B.S.E )

Academic stream : Humanities

Marks obtained : 86.5 % (distinction in all subjects)

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COLLEGE EDUCATION:

NAME OF COLLEGE ; Lady Shri Ram College For Women, Delhi University.

COURSE ; Sociology Honors.

DEGREE : B.A Honors

YEAR OF PASSING : 2002

MARKS OBTAINED : 56 %

EXTRA QUALIFICATION.1996-2001: Diploma in French (diplome superieur ) (equivalent to M.A

with specialization in literature ,culture, TV AND CINEMA ) from Alliance Française de Delhi. (affiliation with university of Paris, France)

Marks obtained : ‘Sans mention’ outstanding

Remark : Exceptionally outstanding!

1998 : Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT exam) Marks obtained ; 1320/1600 .

2001 : Teachers training conducted by Alliance Française de Paris, France.

2000 : Management training in HR , with the ITC Marriott Hotel, New Delhi.

LANGUAGE FLUENCY : English, French, Hindi, Punjabi, Bengali,

& Nepalese

COMPUTER LITERATE / SAVY: All creative software, MS office, Windows and internet

WORK EXPERIENCE – 1999-2010

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Theatre and events 1999-2006: over 50 successful theatrical productions as a

Director, Writer, Producer, Actress, translator, adaptation, playwright and presenter in the national capital and beyond. Performed under the prestigious banner of India Council for Cultural Relations ICCR, And going to represent India in its affiliate countries abroad in theatre becoming the Indian Cultural Ambassador by ICCR.

Hands on experience in theatrical events, involving creativity in writing, planning, Visualizing, designing, conceptualizing, execution and promotion OF ART, TALENT AND ENTERTAINMENT, with the underlying aim of indirectly creatively spreading awareness on issues such as ‘disability’ along others; Combining creativity with education, Hence, utilizing ‘entertainment’ to it full potential as a tool for communication.

1999 -2010: PR activities for high profile events, charity functions, hospitality , corporate and non- governmental organizations. Undertaking activities from planning to the final execution stage. Representing the client/ corporate , handle designing the creative /invitation lists for the events , coordinate media interaction for pre and post event coverage and related tasks to complete the event with success.

Print media

Features writer

2008 -2009 : Editor in chief for special edition of ‘South Delhi Plus’ of TIMES OF INDIA. New Delhi covering social issues and features.

Achievement and honor

2013 : won miss wheelchair India as 1st runner up

2006-2009 ongoing: Empanelled with Indian Council For Cultural Relations ICCR to carry on the presentation and promotion of entertainment and culture.

Television

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As an actor

1990’s : character role in the television series ‘ school days’ and ‘college days’ directed  by Dilip Sood, produced by  DD.

As a writer

2008                         : written scripts for travel shows for NDTV GOOD TIMES. Film – Bollywood as a director2009- 2010 : Research for Sanjay Leela Bhansali for his film ‘Guzaarish’, personal A.D and  Instructor to Hrithik Roshan

2011- 2012 : Research for Anurag Basu for his film ‘Barfi’, for the role of Priyanka Chopra

2013 : story ‘Bhaag Mika Bhaag’

Film as an ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (AD)2004-2006 : Assistant Director -AD , New Film Addicts film ‘ZANG ZANG CLANG ‘ directed by  Col. Raj Kapoor –film   made for Children’s   film  society  India

2000-2003 : New Film Addicts productions: Trained and acquainted with the techniques of film making by Col. Raj Kapoor (the producer –director of the famous T.V serial, “Fauji”).As an Actor

1984-85 : Child artist in the feature film ‘ Shiva ka insaaf’ Directed by Ramesh Sippy and  produced by Sippy films.

2010 : Acting in a feature film ‘ Shaitan’ directed by Bijoy Nambiar and produced by   Anurag Kashyap.

As a film lyricist 2009 - 2010 : lyricist for the Bollywood Commercial film directed by Asit Desai, produced  by light field media. ’ The Money God’. (film In Production)

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Copywriter – advertising 2007 – 2008 : Madison media ,New Delhi, as copy writer. Working on TVC’s, Radio spots, Ad  campaigns. Creative for pamphlets, brochures. Clients handled as listed below.

1. Fly mobile2. Benq 3. Apple computers4. Big bazaar5. Parasnath developers 6. Various public service ads on health, breast cancer,

forest conservation etc. Film – Bollywood as a writer-

2006-ongoing : written the concepts , screen play, dialogues and lyrics for 5 commercial  Bollywood feature film. ‘SUNTE  SUNTE’ , ‘TUM HI TO HO’, ‘ TUM KAHAAN’ , ‘AADAYEIN KISS -KISS KI’, ‘LOVE YOU HAMESHA’,  and ‘PYAARR  ACTUALLY’

2003- 2007 : dialogues, jingles and 1 liners for radio programs – for a RJ as a freelancer.

Writer for Television

2005 onwards : written travel shows (anchor scripts) for NDTV Good Times. Assisting the senior writer for the tv series ‘kirdaar’, for NDTV.

PUBLIC RELATIONS, HR AND EVENTS – HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY.

2002                  : Organized an entertainment charity event (world premier of a theatre performance) at The Goa Marriott Resort,Panjim.

2002 –2004                : Worked as HR associate With ITC Marriott Hotel, New Delhi. Handling tasks  like pre-interview processes, short listing candidates, coordinating training   sessions employee welfare , planning of recreational activities for in-house guests   and guest relations. Promoted to handle the PR of the hotel – promotion of F&B   outlets, media coverage of happenings of the hotel.

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2003- 2004                : ITC Marriott Hotel, New Delhi. Responsible for designing and planning promotional activities for F&B outlets, In house PR and corporate PR for the hotel property .

PROFESSIONAL INTERESTS, SKILLS, STRENGTHS AND OBJECTIVE:

Having hands on experience in various fields connected to creativity, media, entertainment and events. The 16 years of experience in entertainment and media that gives me the skills and good understanding of PR, events from ideating and execution to coordination and managing high profile dignitaries. With experience and knowledge of editing, story writing, concept / script development, conceptualizing.

Interest range from Planning, Budgeting & Laying Project Workflow for New Innovative Programming, my inclination flows also towards skills of being a team player with strong communication in order to both oversee various Programmes & Production Teams and also creatively indulge in the various aspects of the project like Visualizing, Designing & editing.

My professional orientation that will satisfy and fulfill my quench providing an outlet to the creative bonein me will be the premier options as WRITING FOR TV AND FILMS , PUBLIC RELATIONS, celebrity management that brings both communication and interpersonal skills along with undertaking the management and planning aspect .my skills and experience draws me towards opting to be a production coordinator, scriptwriter and supervisor for screen, production and TV AND FILM DIRECTION . Having the writer’s bent of mind, my inclination rests boundless towards the field, aiming to provide services as a freelancer and otherwise for the organization whereas a fulltime job is ideally aimed.

Being confident, positive and possessing extreme degrees of creative and communication skills, my area of professional interests only include ANYTHING and everything related to TV, FILM AND MEDIA , Bollywood and all fields related to creativity and coordination along with managing the celebrities as media / celebrity managers.

Unlike most who sought for the above industry for the fame and glamour attached once finding one’s identity. I would be determined to embark upon

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the plethora of creative opportunities it offers. Hence I’m open to extensive travel and sporadic movements for projects within and beyond India . Finding my professional identity through anything and everything concerned and related to ‘creative’ work; media /entertainment, the larger industry occupies the passion for my existence providing the zest to life. Communication skills, spontaneity, wit and humor being synonyms to my character supported by close association with the radio, music and keeping myself aware of the city’s pulse of music, entertainment, happenings and the experience in the entertainment industry at various levels.

My career interest strongly remains within media and entertainment industry with first option as being WRITING FOR TV AND FILMS, DIRECTION AND PRODUCTION. However with the hands on experience of over 10 years in - Other options remain as celebrity managers/ management, writer for various media modes – films, writing concepts , dialogues , screenplays, lyrics . With the years of experience in diverse capacities in the media industry, my preferred job profile will also be of a producer as well. My professional preference ranges from writing, TV and film direction and production, conceptualization, visualization are parallel options, along the primary ones that I would be contented to undertake proving my creative capabilities. Aware of strict competition, I’m all geared up to accept the challenge, face it only to be sure of making a mark by finding my professional identity in the industry and its related fields.

LAST EMPLOYER Bluelotus communications, PR FirmColaba, Mumbai.

JOB PROFILE Online PR Associate

CURRENT EMPLOYERCineyug Entertainment and media, Pvt. Ltd Juhu, Mumbai

JOB PROFILECreative Associate

PROJECTS AS A FREELANCER Currently working on a book with Penguin Publishers on a book as a co- writer and with Content Travels as a web content developer

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1. EMPLOYER/ INDIVIDUAL

JOB PROFILE INDUSTRY

2. BLUELOTUS PR AND COMMUNICATIONS

Online PR associate/Copywriter

PR/ ENTERTAINMENT

3. LIMELIGHT ENTERPRISES PVT LTD

Film concept developer ,Story writer .

Film

4. Light Field Media, Pvt. Ltd.

Lyrist for a feature film.

Film

5. Skylim entertainment, Pvt.Ltd.

Concept development and story with screenplay for TV Series

Television

Expectations from the job :

With over 15 years of experience with PR, writing – Copy, screen, creative and having worked in the media and entertainment industry, in various capacities. The justified expected remuneration is a challenge to quote as each sub industry varies depending upon the capacity of the individual found best suited and whether the vocation is full time or project based. As earning is less a criteria than learning, the remuneration is an amount that is directly in proportion to my abilities considered over my challenges and physical short comings and the amount offered with dignity ,not pity or sympathy..

Financial independence is equally important in today’s time and age. My physical disability is not a limitation but my strength to prove myself as any ‘able’, because I can do all that each one of you can. Travel and mobility inter and intra cities/ country is not a constraint.

The main concern being, getting the opportunity and an outlet to the creativity inherent in abundance within me. No remuneration cost can be attached to creativity, or the creative mind, as one cannot define the creative person, but only accept the talent, acknowledge its worth and promote it. However, in a professional world charges and salaries are the key concepts, in today’s economic exchange society.If as a freelancer, it would be project/assignment based depending upon the content of the same. If as a contractual basis / full time, the same is open to discussion and will be negotiable in accordance with my ability and market trends.

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Current location : Mumbai, India Joining period; Immediately . Future Goals:With the already experience that enriches me to continue to remain in the industry of entertainment and media. I strive myself to be a successful creative plethora of talent that position me within the industry ,in diverse capacities , with my premier preference being writing and directing for TV and FILMS that enables the lending of thought and words to stories, plots, dialogues and screenplays. Other inclinations further range from assistant /associate producer and Assistant /associate director for feature films, to production ;as assistant producer, production coordinator , direction ; assistant / associate director, to artist management and coordination , a copywriter / writer Professionally my aim is to pursue my abilities creatively as conceptualizing, ideating, developing the concept of the content for films and also be the producer in the industry for the same. However, I wish to remain and grow in the media and entertainment industry, and premier preference remain films in any capacity and acting always remains the first love.

SEATS OF HONOUR AND DIFFERENT PORTFOLIOS

Board Member Disable Rights India(DPI) (From 90s) Board member and media spokes person national Centre for

Promotion of Employment for Disabled People (NCPEDP) CHAIRED BY SONIA GANDHI,FUNDED BY RAJIV GANDHI FOUNDATION (imbibing the Gandhian values)

Jury Member for ‘We Care’ Film Festival (India’s ONLY Film festival dealing with Mainstreaming cinema including disability as an issue) Funded by the National Trust (NT), a body of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.

EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES/ HOBBIES AND INTERESTS:

Dramatics, creative writing, script writing, arts, cinematography, film analysis, music, Composing lyrics , dialogue, reading and debating…

National level theater performer , worked with eminent theater directors like Anamika Haksar (National   School of Drama, New Delhi.) and Performed at the national theatre festival 2000.

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Performed under the banner of the leading production company in Delhi,’ Stage Lights’ for the winter production for the year 2000 Play,’Sister Act’

Participated in the “Old theatre festival” 2002 at India Habitat Centre in September 2002 with the  Play,  ‘Romance by chance’ which she  translated (from  French to English) adapted, directed and  carried out  the protagonist role. The play was announced as the best play of  the festival.

Writes and directs plays conveying a social message - awareness raising regarding disability.

Completed writing the concepts , screen play, dialogues and lyrics for 2 commercial Bollywood feature  films.

Work towards the cause of the disabled through the medium of theatre and entertainment

Part of the United Nations Development Programme( UNDP) year for Volunteerism (year 2001) for their  project “ We For Yamuna”

Work towards an egalitarian society ensuring full exercise of human rights.

AWARDS AND CITATIONS :

International award for excellence in arts and Media 2012 given by international cerebral palsy organization, in Mumbai Positive health hero award 2012 for excellence in entertainment – writer, director and actor given by Dr. Batra’s facilitated by Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt. The highest civilian presidential award ‘The Karmaveer Puruskaar’ 2008- 2009, for contribution towards society  and causes           through theatre – writing ,directing and acting. Directed and performed ‘ The Melody Of Love’ (theatre play) under the banner of Indian  Council for  Cultural              Relations  ICCR 2006. Made India’s cultural ambassador selected by Indian Council for Cultural Relations ICCR   in  June  2007, after  successfully being empanelled with the organization. Kalpataru -(An NGO) 2003 award for active contribution in Theatre (state

level)

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Golden jubilee Outstanding lifetime Alumna of Lady Shri Ram College Delhi University -2007 The Hindustan Times all India ‘Hall of fame’ life time award in 2003-2004

for theatre – acting and directing. Rotary inner wheel Club Award for theatre ( National level ) ‘Best emotion and expression’ for the play, ‘Riders to the sea’ during

‘Abhimanch’ the National School of Drama NSD annual theatre festival 2000 (university /national level) kept at college

India Habitat Centre, ‘Old world theatre festival 2002’ best appreciated play ‘Romance by chance.’ (produced, translated , directed and the lead role by Divya Arora)

Lady Shri Ram College ,’Women of substance’ LIFETIME AWARD 2002(university level)

Lady Shri Ram College ,’Indomitable courage award’ LIFETIME AWARD 2002 (university level)

Tarang’ Lady Shri Ram College ,inter college festival , Hindi creative Writing competition award 2001 (university level)

‘Tarang’ Lady Shri Ram College ,inter college festival, glass Painting Award 2001(university level)

Special award for inter college theatre production ,for the play ‘Woman - Man  Wars’ for

   St. Stephens inter college festival ‘ Virasat’ 1999-2000. (university level)

Informal dramatics competition special award 1999- 2000 (university level) Special award for HIVE arts workshop / competition 1999- 2000 (university

level) 3rd prize ‘Tarang’ Lady Shri Ram College festival, inter college festival

‘Expressions’ English creative writing competition award 2001 (university level)

References :

1. Boman IraniCelebrated Bollywood Actor

2. Lilette DubeyCelebrated Bollywood / Theatre Actress

3. Tom Alter

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Known Bollywood personality

4. Niranjan Khatri, Heading CSR, Welcomenviron Initiatives, ITC WelcomGroup

5. Col. Raj . K. KapoorDirector, Film Addicts film.Director –producer , TV series ‘Fauji’

6. Sohaila Kapur (sister of Shekher Kapur)TV and theatre personality

7. Subodh Lal Author, poet, theatre person, TV producer-director, creativity trainer, media educator. Formerly top official in TV companies. Now devoted to writing and media education.

8. Cyrus Dastoor Artist and theatre personality, (Mumbai)

References made possible over telephone / letters on request.

SIGNATURE:Divya Arora

DATE:

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