Yousef Sheikh is an up-and-coming Indian-origin Canadian national who has decided to dip his toes in the new-age content creators’ community of Bollywood. This successful entrepreneur comes with a background in the technology and construction sector. Sheikh’s company has had a presence in Canada, Saudi Arabia, and India for more than 15 years now.
Through his company – Synchron Entertainment, Sheikh wishes to make his presence felt in Bollywood through progressive storytelling. The company is all set to release its first feature film ‘Rabia & Olivia’ next month. The film has largely been shot in India and Canada and has won 13 awards at major international film festivals. The film is presented by G. Ashok, director of Bhumi Pednekar starrer horror thriller ‘Durgamati’ and the superhit South Indian saga Bhaagamathie. Directed by Shadab Khan, the story is about Rabia, an illegal immigrant in Canada, and an emotionally strained nine-year-old Canadian child Olivia, who lost her mother to cancer, The film is a human drama revolving around women-empowerment and will see an amalgamation of eastern and western culture. This feature is one for the critics and cinephiles who prefer story-oriented dramas.
Zeba Javed who is the Women Empowerment Ambassador of Saudi Arabia and has been advocating for women’s empowerment has added her touch to the theme of the movie. Zeba is also an associate producer of the ‘Rabia & Olivia’. Tamara Gazzaz, an emerging Saudi Media Businesswoman and the first Saudi positive psychology practitioner coach who has supported the movie with her well-being approach towards child psychology, is the co-producer of the film.
Commenting on the situation Sheikh said "When I decided to produce films, I was looking for content, which is unique; not the regular fare. The vision of our company is to make films of quality which would give the audience a positive message that they can relate to in their everyday lives, especially keeping in mind the youth of today, they are the future. I first hear the synopsis as an audience and if it satisfies me, only then do I go for a script reading session.”
"The plan is to make 5 international films in India, Canada, and Saudi Arabia for 2022-23 in association with the Ministry of Culture and the ministry of Media of Saudi Arabia and Canada. Saudi Arabia has started an enticing incentive program that aims to support, motivate and attract production houses to shoot in the country. I strongly believe that a good and progressive story will grab the audiences’ attention. We plan to go ahead with the release of Rabia and Olivia soon and believe that the content will thrive amongst the releases jostling at the box office” said an excited Yousef Sheikh as he signed off for the moment.