The Life of an Impact Advisor: Creating Social Change Through the Film Industry, Government, Technology and More
“It was an exhilarating experience working on films as an Impact advisor. Seeing the concept that I created coming to fruition and the credit title on the silver screen was very fulfilling. As an impact advisor to a movie, the goal is to educate the global audience, raise awareness, and bring the film to the attention of global leaders” Today’s woman dreamer, Priya Parulekar, has led a dynamic life, working as an advisor in the film industry, government, social justice space, and more. She shares the story behind her favorite projects, and her favorite celebrities and public figures she has worked with. An inspiring story for all change-makers.
1) Tell us about your journey. How did you build your career?
I was born in Goregaon, a suburb of Mumbai in a loving family that cared about social causes. Goregaon is also home to the well known “Film City”. From an early age, I was especially impressed by my uncle’s work treating and rehabilitating patients of leprosy. My extended family was also active in politics, so it had left a deep impression on me as a child. During my school years, I participated in drama and other extracurricular activities and in college days I represented my college for multiple intercollegiate festivals in the singing category.
After completing my education, I started working for ICICI bank in their technology group. My career started on a very high note, however I wanted more. My young mind wanted to explore and travel to different parts of the world. In the late 90’s there was the Y2K boom and many tech professionals were hired from India to work in the US. I saw that as an opportunity to challenge myself, leave behind a very sheltered life and experience a new world. In the year 2000, I took that leap of faith and came to Boston. It was the month of April and it had snowed. I had seen snow only in movies. when I experienced it for the very first time it felt magical. Coming from a big city, adjusting in a foreign land was very easy for me however the reality of being a young immigrant on a visa struck when the economy tanked during the dot.com bust. I learned some valuable life lessons during that time. From starting work in the corporate technology world to founding and advising social enterprises to help startups in the tech and innovation, it has been an enjoyable ride. Along the way, I have always been actively involved in furthering social and political causes. Such as being an advisor member on tech and innovation policy on the 2016 Presidential Election for Hillary Clinton, 2020 US Presidential election for Joe Biden, hosting head of states and film celebrities worldwide and promoting and advising cause based films, I did it all in the cradle of modern America.
2) What was it like being an Impact Advisor on Film? What did your role entail/most exciting project you got to work on?
It was an exhilarating experience working on films as an Impact advisor as I am very passionate about social impact and films. Seeing the concept that I created coming to fruition and the credit title on the silver screen was very fulfilling. As an impact advisor to a movie, the goal is to educate the global audience, raise awareness about the issue that the film is trying to showcase, bring the film to the attention of global leaders and high level stakeholders, inspire change and create ambassadors for the film while opening innovative partnerships and collaborations to drive the ROI and open new and/or grow the existing markets for the film. Currently there are a lot of commercial, independent and documentary films made under Cinema for Social Change. These films address some of the pressing political and social issues facing all of us today, representing a range of critical topics. Every project I worked on was exciting and unique as I got to work with some of the best directors and production houses in Bollywood. My first film was “Jhalki” directed by two times national award winner Bhramanand Singh. The film focused on the issues of child labor and human trafficking. Second film was presented by PEN Studios and directed by H.E Amjad Khan and focused on the early life of Nobel peace prize laureate Malala Yousafzai before she became a global phenomenon. The third film, a documentary by Anjali Bhushan was a story of Kira Banasinska on her efforts to provide WWVII polish refugees a home in India and India's warmth and acceptance of the refugees who settled in Maharashtra and Gujarat, India. The film was listed and reviewed for Oscars 2020.
3) This is a fun question: You have met with and worked with so many wonderful celebrities. Tell us about some of your experiences/a favorite celebrity encounter you had!
All the celebrities I have worked with are extremely humble human beings. It has been an honor working with them on the films or on the panels I have chaired. To name a few are Mr Brahmanad Singh, Mr Boman Irani, Mr Madhu Bhandarkar , Rajeshree Deshpande, A R Rahman, Ashutosh Gowariker, Mr Subhash Ghai, Siddharth Roy Kapur, Danish Renzu, Ali Sethi, Nitesh Tiwari, Majid Majidi and many others. I would like to share this experience on how I got Gulmakai. I was visiting India and was on my flight back to Mumbai from Delhi after my meeting with the Nobel Laureate Mr Kailash Satyarathiji and his team. On reaching Mumbai, I saw multiple missed calls from Dr Gada, Founder of PEN studios and on calling him back he asked me if I could come to meet him as he wanted to offer me Gulmakai, a film on Nobel Peace Laureate Malala Yosufzai. I thanked him by saying I cannot believe the day I met with one Nobel laureate in person, I was offered a film on another. Kailashji and Malala both shared the 2014 Nobel peace prize.
4) As #Dreamcatchers, we have to ask, what is your next big dream?
My next big dream is to use tech innovation and films as a platform to drive social change.
Bio: Priya is a changemaker and has experience working on the US Presidential campaigns and with thought leaders globally. She has immersed herself and amassed deep experience in the areas of Technology and Innovation, Social Entrepreneurship, Films, Government and Politics. She has excelled in many leadership roles for multiple technology organizations and social cause groups. She has a unique passion for elevating society using innovation and brings a special set of skills that meld technology with the ability to identify the most significant societal needs. Thus, she finds herself at the forefront of solving very distinctive problems and delivering equally innovative solutions. She is also the creator of the title “Impact Advisor '' which is given as a credit title in Bollywood. Priya is an international speaker and has moderated panels for the Caspian Week at the World Economic Forum and conceptualized and chaired the launch of the “Films” panels at the 2020 Horasis meetings. She has been appointed to the Horasis organizing committee to deliver the 2021 US Extraordinary meeting in March. Priya is also involved in acting through SETU theatre group in Boston.