The US production American Warrior, which had been featured and awarded at multiple international film festivals, had its Asia premiere at the 55th IFFI in Goa on November 24 at 12:30 pm at INOX, Panjim. This heartfelt story of an Indian immigrant set in the world of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) centers on the universal themes of redemption and second chances. Peruvian American director Gustavo Martin Benites makes his debut with American Warrior.
The film follows “Jai Kumar” (played by Indian-American actor Vishy Ayyar), a former convict and amateur MMA fighter who rises from obscurity to local fame after thwarting a convenience store robbery. As Jai navigates newfound and unwelcome attention, he is forced to confront his past demons. Against all odds, he seizes the opportunity for a comeback and enters a local MMA tournament for one last shot at redemption.
In a historic first, American Warrior brings together Indian, American, and Latin-American stars in a Hollywood production. The dynamic and star-studded cast includes acclaimed actors such as Omi Vaidya, best known for his performance as “Chatur Ramalingam” in the Indian film 3 Idiots. Danny Trejo, globally known for his iconic roles in action movies like Machete, plays “Dennis,” a seasoned MMA coach. Veronica Falcón, famed for Ozark, plays “Marcella,” the tenacious owner of a local gym, while Andrew Gray, known for his role as the Red Ranger in Power Rangers Megaforce, portrays “Marcus,” Jai’s fierce opponent in the ring.
Each actor brings depth to their roles, embodying characters marked by resilience and the message that it is never too late to pick yourself up and move forward with the life you truly want. Vishy Ayyar, the protagonist, is one of the few Indian-American actors dedicated to pushing boundaries in leading roles within Hollywood’s action genre. He is also the story’s creator and shines in the lead role of Jai Kumar, drawing on his real-life experience as an MMA fighter and his personal journey as an immigrant. Speaking about his character, Ayyar shared, “Jai’s journey mirrors my own experiences in many ways, and I’m grateful to bring a piece of my own life story to such an impactful role. American Warrior is about finding strength in vulnerability. It’s a raw portrayal of identity and what it means to grapple with one’s past. It was an honor to share that message with audiences, and I hope they see themselves in it.”
Verónica Falcón describes her role as Jai’s unlikely mentor, saying, “Marcella’s grit is unmatched, and she sees something in Jai that others have overlooked. American Warrior is about second chances, and it was a privilege to bring Marcella’s unapologetic strength to the screen.” Veronica is one of Mexico’s most celebrated actresses and was the first Mexican-born actress to land a leading role in U.S. television. Her most recognizable U.S. productions include Jungle Cruise, Voyagers, Queen of The South, Ozark, Perry Mason, and Why Women Kill.
Taylor Treadwell plays “Melissa,” a character that requires navigating complex human relationships as a single mother in recovery and the love interest of Jai. She becomes not only his love interest but also his emotional anchor. “Melissa’s journey is about healing and understanding. Working on this film reminded me of the importance of resilience and forgiveness—qualities that resonate with all of us,” says Taylor. She is known for her roles in Big Little Lies, Knight & Day, Ray Donovan, and Vampire Diaries.
American Warrior was shot in the vibrant, atmospheric city of Chicago in real old-school boxing gyms and features real MMA fighters. The film is visually spectacular, using a strong singular point of view and an elevated-documentary approach.
The film’s producers, Naveen A. Chathapuram, Cristy Coors Beasley, and Rashaana Shah, have more than two dozen feature films, shorts, and digital series to their credit in Hollywood. Cristy Coors Beasley, one of the producers, shared her thoughts on bringing American Warrior to life: “Producing it has been an incredible journey. This film is about finding purpose—a subject that feels deeply personal to all. We wanted to show the intense, gritty heart of MMA, while also portraying the vulnerability and strength of the human spirit. The immensely talented cast and crew were committed to telling that story, and the result was as powerful emotionally as it was visually. I couldn’t be prouder of what we’ve achieved together.”
This is the first co-production between Immortal Thoughts, Mulberry Films, and Fabled Frames. The film is expected to be released worldwide around April 2025.
American Warrior was showcased at numerous festivals, including the 33rd Heartland Film Festival, Tallgrass Film Festival, Tasveer Film Festival, San Antonio Film Festival, and the Santa Fe Film Festival in 2024. The film and its stars were honored with four awards, including Best Actress for Veronica Falcón and Best Cinematographer for Derek Fisher.
