Los Angeles, CA, October 15, 2013 -- Actor, Writer and Producer Jaswant Shrestha's dreams of working in television and film began when he was just four years old. As a boy growing up in his home country of Nepal, Jaswant was captivated by the American movies he would see on television. "I remember watching Hollywood movies when I very small, and I just knew that I wanted to be an actor," he explains. His love of movies and desire to perform grew over the years, and as a teen he was always the first in his school to sign up for school play auditions. At sixteen, Jaswant decided to move to Mumbai in order to more fully pursue his goal of becoming an actor. However, it wasn't long before homesickness took its toll, and Jaswant returned to his home in Nepal.

Three years later, in 1998, Jaswant was ready to try his luck again in Bollywood, and this time he was prepared! He soon began landing small commercial acting roles and got more involved in the filmmaking side of the industry. During his time in Bollywood Mumbai, Jaswant honed his skills as an actor and learned a great deal about the film industry. He worked not only in front of the camera, but gained experience as an AD. Equipped with a wealth of knowledge and hands on experience, he moved back to Nepal in 2000 and started his own production company, Team Works Film Production. The company produced music videos, commercials, documentaries and television programs including the wildly popular travel show Pokhara.com which Jaswant hosted and produced. The program aired over 100 episodes on Nepal 1 television. In 2005, Jaswant produced the critically acclaimed documentary, Heavenly Place Manang. "This feature documentary was a huge success for us," explains Jaswant. "The film, which captures the scenic beauty of some of Nepal's most secluded locations, was accepted to a number of film festivals around the world, and we also secured a theatrical release for it." The international success of the documentary was just the catalyst Jaswant had been working towards since his teen years, and when it was accepted to the 2008 New York International Film Festival, the biggest door of his career was opened...his entre into the U.S. film market!

"I was so happy when the documentary was accepted to the NYIFF," exclaims Jaswant! "I can't even express it. I was completely over the top. It made me feel very empowered. I had always wanted to come to the US and study acting, but my request for a Visa was denied time and time again, but when my film got accepted into the film festival and I was invited to attend, the embassy said I could travel to the US." In 2008, a friend of Jaswant's living in Colorado, who was also a filmmaker, asked him to return to the US and work with him on a project as an actor and producer, and he eagerly accepted the invitation. By this time, he was qualified to receive a green card Visa based on the extraordinary ability classification for filmmakers living outside the US.

Upon obtaining his green card, Jaswant moved to Los Angeles in 2011. Although well established in Nepal, the move to LA proved to be a daunting one. "Getting an agent was very tough. So many things come into play in the states that weren't a factor back home," explains Jaswant. "My accent was a huge hurdle that I have worked very hard to overcome. In Nepal, if you need an American accent for a film, we dub it in, but here that is not the case. While I was in Colorado I read a wonderful book, Acting Class, by Milton Katselas who was the founding teacher of the Beverly Hills Playhouse; so, as soon as I moved to LA, I joined the BH Playhouse and became totally immersed in perfecting my craft." The hard work ultimately paid off! Jaswant eventually secured an agent and manager and began building his credits in Hollywood landing several co-starring television roles and a voice character role in the Disney animated film Planes.

Jaswant still wasn't being cast in the kind of substantial film and television roles the seasoned actor knew he was capable of portraying. So, like any true vanguard of the arts, he decided to showcase his talents by writing and producing his own short film. Jaswant explains, "In LA, I hadn't done anything significant as a producer or writer. I had done a lot of that in Mumbai and Nepal, but not here. I wanted something concrete to show people, and that's why I decided to write and produce The Treason." He elaborates on the passion he had for the project, "I really wanted to tell this story. Even though, this is a classic story, I just had this vision of that betrayal in my mind for the past year and a half. I had to tell this story no matter what." Jaswant plays the lead character in this gripping 26 minutes short about love and the ultimate betrayal. The lines between right, wrong and revenge are blurred beyond recognition in the thriller. The Treason, which was also accepted into the New York International Film Festival LA edition and was screened in LA on Sep 19th 2013, has proven to be a successful vehicle for Jaswant in furthering his acting career. The film won the Audience Award for Best Short Film in the festival. "Since The Treason, I have gotten cast in really terrific roles in some upcoming projects including Tie the Knot starring Tara Reid. I'm guest starring in the film as a mob enforcer from Bollywood. I've also been attached to another film shooting in the US and Mumbai called Namastay LA starring Nasserudin Shah and Om Puri, who are big Bollywood stars, along with Allen Rosenberg," says Jaswant. "The development for The Treason into a feature length film is in full swing. Some big names will be attached to the project. I am hopeful that the success of the film on the festival circuit will result in the needed funding to complete the project," he continues.

It is clear that Jaswant is making a name for himself in Hollywood and working hard to make his dreams of becoming a successful actor a reality, but it is not by chance or coincidence. His dedication to perfecting his craft, creating opportunities and being ready to seize the moment have defined him, his career and his ascension amongst the ranks in Tinseltown. "I'm so charged up, and I'm not waiting on anything. I'm committed to joining together with like minded individuals to create and tell the stories we want to tell." He concludes, "LA is treating me well. When you do this from the heart, people will love it. I think everyone in this business has to believe in yourself 100 percent and follow your heart." With his performance in The Treason garnering rave reviews for the actor and a slate of upcoming film projects in the works, one thing is certain, Jaswant's journey from Bollywood to Hollywood is gaining momentum every day!

To find out more about Jaswant Shrestha, check him out at www.imdb.com.
Watch The Treason Trailer and reviews at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2x_18T9cnyk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jue9e6e877U.

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