‘Send Help’ Producer Zainab Azizi: ‘I’m a Huge Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan and Aishwarya Rai Fan; Want to Produce Film With Preity Zinta’ — EXCLUSIVE

In an era where cross‑cultural storytelling is reshaping global entertainment landscapes, Send Help producer Zainab Azizi is bridging continents with ambition, admiration and cinematic vision. Known for her work with genre powerhouse Ghost House Pictures, Azizi is not only championing bold Hollywood fare but is also publicly expressing her love for Bollywood’s biggest stars — and revealing plans for future collaborations that could bring East and West closer together on the silver screen.

In an exclusive interview, Azizi discussed her latest film Send Help, her deep‑rooted admiration for Bollywood icons like Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan and Aishwarya Rai, and her aspiration to one day produce a project starring Preity Zinta — a name she calls a personal favorite and a symbol of crossover potential in mainstream cinema.

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A Bold New Thriller: Send Help

Scheduled to arrive in theaters shortly, Send Help is a thriller that marks a departure from conventional genre fare. Directed by renowned filmmaker Sam Raimi, the film stars Rachel McAdams and Dylan O’Brien as two coworkers stranded on a deserted island after a catastrophic event. Rather than leaning into typical romantic tropes, the narrative explores darker themes of survival, trust, and psychological conflict — described by Azizi as a “delicious twist” on stranded‑on‑an‑island storytelling.

Azizi’s decision to cast McAdams — known for her “America’s sweetheart” persona — in a grittier, emotionally complex role reflects her broader creative sensibilities: challenge audience expectations, push performers into new territory, and blend genre conventions in unpredictable ways.

As producer, Azizi has played an integral role in shepherding Send Help from concept to production, navigating complex collaborations while maintaining a clear vision for the film’s tone and commercial potential. Her work behind the scenes — from development meetings to casting decisions — highlights her ability to balance artistic risk with audience appeal.

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A Love Letter to Bollywood Icons

While Azizi’s career has been rooted in Hollywood, her heart clearly beats for the glamour and star power of Bollywood. During the interview, she described herself as a “huge fan” of Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan and Aishwarya Rai — three figures whose careers helped define Indian cinema for generations and whose performances have left an indelible mark on international audiences.

Shah Rukh Khan’s magnetic screen presence, emotional depth and ability to effortlessly straddle genres — from intense dramas to romantic classics — have long made him a global cultural ambassador for Indian film. Similarly, Salman Khan’s larger‑than‑life persona and blockbuster appeal have cemented his status as one of Bollywood’s most bankable stars, while Aishwarya Rai’s beauty, grace and cross‑continental recognizability have elevated her to international icon status.

For Azizi, their careers represent the kind of storytelling and star power she admires and hopes to someday harness in her own work. “These actors have shaped cinema in ways that go beyond borders,” she said, underscoring her respect for their enduring legacies.

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Dreaming of a Bollywood–Hollywood Crossover

Perhaps the most compelling revelation from Azizi’s interview was her aspiration to produce a film with Bollywood star Preity Zinta. Known for her charismatic screen presence and memorable roles in films like Kal Ho Naa Ho and Veer‑Zaara, Zinta remains one of Bollywood’s most beloved actresses and a figure with considerable global resonance.

Azizi’s vision for such a collaboration is more than a fan’s dream — it reflects a growing trend of East–West partnerships that seek to blend cinematic traditions, reach wider audiences and tell stories that resonate across cultures. With streaming platforms and international co‑productions becoming more prevalent, the potential for these kinds of collaborations is stronger than ever.

While specifics about any potential project have yet to be announced, Azizi’s public commitment to the idea signals her eagerness to expand her creative footprint and champion films that defy geographic and cultural boundaries.

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The Importance of Global Storytelling

Azizi’s journey — from Hollywood producer to a vocal admirer of Bollywood’s biggest names — speaks to a broader shift in the entertainment industry: the breaking down of traditional barriers between regional cinema and global audiences. As audience tastes become more eclectic and digitally interconnected, films that marry diverse influences are finding unprecedented success.

For example, the international popularity of Bollywood stars like Shah Rukh Khan has only grown in recent years, with their films garnering attention far beyond South Asia. Their work has influenced filmmakers worldwide and opened doors for more cross‑cultural collaboration.

Likewise, the potential for Hollywood and Bollywood co‑productions — whether through shared storytelling, hybrid casts, or joint ventures — is increasingly recognized as a way to reach broader markets and create narratives that reflect the world’s cultural diversity.

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Looking Ahead

As Send Help prepares to debut, the industry will be watching not just for its box office performance but also for what it reveals about Azizi’s evolving role in global cinema. Her appreciation for Bollywood legends and her stated ambition to produce films that bridge continents could signal a new wave of collaborations that blur the lines between Hollywood and Indian cinema.

In the meantime, fans across the globe are likely to celebrate her candid enthusiasm for icons like Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Aishwarya Rai and — one day, hopefully — Preity Zinta. Whether or not these dream projects come to fruition, Azizi’s openness to diverse creative influences highlights the potential for storytelling that transcends borders, resonates across cultures and reflects the increasingly interconnected world of 21st‑century cinema.

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With her ambitions firmly set on collaborative horizons, Zainab Azizi exemplifies a new kind of producer — one who embraces global narratives, respects artistic legacies, and seeks to bring star power from all corners of the world together on the big screen.