Anthony Maharaj's journey in the film industry began at a young age, as his parents were pioneers in the Indian film industry in Trinidad, Guyana, and Suriname in the early 1940s. Their notable films include "Mother India", "Aan", and "Sindoor". At 17, Maharaj had the opportunity to work for Paramount Pictures and MGM in Guyana.
Over the years, Maharaj's passion for the film industry was evident. He was Assistant Director on Harbance Kumar's first feature film, "The Right and the Wrong", which won an Atlanta Golden Medal Award. He then worked as Associate Director on the Dutch film, "Operation Makonaima", shot on location in Suriname and Guyana.
In the mid-1970s, Maharaj established his own film distribution company, Anthony Maharaj & Associate Films Limited (AMA Films),distributing films from the Chinese and Hong Kong markets, as well as Morgan Creek, Samuel Goldwyn, Manson International, O'rion Pictures, and other independents from the U.S. and U.K. His distribution covered the Caribbean and part of South America, with notable titles including "Jesus of Nazareth", "Dirty Dancing", "Robin Hood - Prince of Thieves", and "The Last of the Mohicans".
Maharaj's success in film distribution led him to pursue his passion for film as a writer, producer, and director. This led to the formation of Cariphil Pictures based in the Philippines. He completed eighteen feature films, including "Rage" for Cannon Films and 21st Century Film Corporation.
In the Indo-Caribbean communities, AMA Films became a household name for movies out of Bollywood. The company is credited with the resurgence of the Indian cinema industry in Trinidad, with the release of films such as "1942: A Love Story", "Mohra", and others. Maharaj returned to Trinidad with the intention of developing the local film industry.
He worked as Associate Producer on Merchant & Ivory's film adaptation of V.S. Naipaul's award-winning novel, "Mystic Masseur". Maharaj also produced, directed, and wrote three feature films shot entirely on location in Trinidad and Tobago: "Innocent Adultery", "Secrets of the Shell", and "Satan's Daughter". "Secrets of the Shell" received accolades, being selected as the opening feature film at the Belize Film Festival in 2002.
In 2005, Maharaj was approached to co-produce the Bollywood Music Awards ceremony, which was a huge success. He then produced the Bollywood Movie Awards in 2006, featuring Akshay Kumar, Urmila Matondkar, and Manisha Koirala. Both shows were staged in Trinidad, having previously been hosted in Dubai, the U.K., and North America.
In 2007, Maharaj was Executive Producer of the Shah Rukh Khan/Sushmita Sen Bollywood movie, "Dulha Mil Gaya", shot on location in Trinidad and Tobago and India. He has also been involved in the Plymouth Jazz Festival, which was named one of the world's coolest music festivals by Forbes Traveler magazine.
On August 31st, 2012, Maharaj was awarded the National Humming Bird Gold Medal by the President of Trinidad & Tobago for his contribution to local culture. He is currently the Owner, Executive Chairman of Caribbean Lifestyle Communications (2009) Limited, which includes four radio stations, one TV station, VA Films, and Caribbean Lifestyle Productions.
