“Jungle Cry” is based on a true story that follows the journey of 12 underprivileged children, playing sports barefoot, who went on to win the prestigious U14 Rugby World Cup in England. The team came from the Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences in Orissa, India, which has more than 30,000 children from tribal, underprivileged and orphaned backgrounds, and strives to eradicate poverty through education and sports. During the pre-production of “Jungle Cry,” which is produced Bollywood Hollywood Productions, Emily read through the script and noticed a lack of female roles, so had the role of ‘Roshni Thakkar’ written in, ultimately deciding to take on the part herself. In preparation, Emily extensively researched rugby and shadowed a rugby physiotherapist in order to have a full understanding of the of what her character’s job and significance to a rugby team entailed. Emily and the production team also went to the original Orissa school to select boys for the film who play rugby already. On top of the highly anticipated film premiere, she is creating a global catalogue with diverse stories now that she has joined her father’s production company, Bollywood Hollywood Production.” The film is directed by Sagar Ballary (Bheja Fry”), and also features Abhay Deol (“Hero,” “Line of Decent”), and Atul Kumar (“Manto”), Stewart Wright (“Doc Martin, “Doctor Who”) and Julian Lewis Jones (“Invictus,” “Justice League”). The pic also features cameos by some of the top names in the sport, including referee Nigel Owens, Wales and British Lions fly half Phil Bennett, and Colin Charvis, former captain of Wales.
