“It’s almost impossible to break into Hollywood,” says Dr. Pavan Grover, a well-known minimally-invasive spinal surgeon and pain specialist in Houston. Yet over the past two decades, he’s done just that. Grover has been fascinated with films since the age of six and credits Bollywood as a major influence.
He began writing as a hobby and then professionally with his first screenplay, Unspeakable (2002). Dennis Hopper signed on and turned it into a film, with Grover appearing in the cast. Next, Grover co-produced Odd Thomas (2013) and wrote, co-produced, and acted in 97 Minutes (2023).
Behind the Scenes of 97 Minutes
The action thriller, set aboard a hijacked 767, was released in theaters in June and launches on Hulu this September.
The movie, directed by Timo Vuorensola, boasts a high-caliber cast, with Alec Baldwin and Jonathan Rhys-Meyers in two leading roles. Baldwin and Grover met coincidentally at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival and formed a connection. Despite the controversy of the Rust movie incident and pressure to drop Baldwin, Grover stuck with the actor. “I don’t believe in abandoning people at their lowest times, and I think this is one of Alec’s best performances in the past few years,” he says.
Despite Covid and the logistics of filming in London, working on set was an incredible experience. Grover appears in the cast alongside Baldwin and Rhys-Myers, and states, “I loved Jonathan’s acting. He was amazing in that role, came on set so prepared, and threw himself completely into it."
The Red Carpet Event
On June 11, an invitation-only crowd of 300 appeared at Star Cinema Grill in Richmond for a red-carpet event and movie screening. Attendees from The Woodlands, Houston, and the Fort Bend area mingled in a mix of Bollywood and Hollywood apparel and were photographed in front of an amazing step and repeat backdrop featuring the 767.
All celebrated Grover for envisioning 97 Minutes and ushering his dream onto the big screen.