Disha Patani Opens Up On Working With Kevin Spacey In Hollywood Debut, Says Auditions Matter More Than Stardom

Actor Disha Patani has spoken about her experience of working on her Hollywood debut, Holiguards Saga – The Portal of Force, saying the project gave her a first-hand understanding of how the Western film industry places significant emphasis on auditions and casting, regardless of an actor’s popularity. The actor also reflected on collaborating with director and actor Kevin Spacey, describing the experience as an important learning opportunity in her career.

In an interview with PTI, Disha said one of the biggest differences she observed between the Indian and Western film industries was the casting process. According to the actor, auditions remain central to securing roles in Hollywood, with filmmakers placing greater importance on an actor’s suitability for a character than on their existing fame or commercial success. She said the process encourages performers to constantly prove themselves through their craft.

Disha said she underwent multiple rounds of auditions before being selected for Holiguards Saga – The Portal of Force. She noted that the experience challenged her as an actor because she had to prepare extensively for each stage of the selection process. The actor added that she appreciated the merit-based approach followed by the production team and described it as an important aspect of working in Hollywood.

The actor also shared her experience of working with Kevin Spacey, who has directed the film while also featuring in a prominent role. Disha said collaborating with the Academy Award-winning actor-director was a valuable experience, adding that she had the opportunity to observe his approach to filmmaking and performance during the production. She described the environment on set as one that encouraged actors to explore their characters in detail.

Holiguards Saga – The Portal of Force marks Disha’s first English-language feature film. The supernatural action thriller also stars Dolph Lundgren, Tyrese Gibson, Brianna Hildebrand and Eric Roberts. The film is the opening instalment of the Statiguards vs Holiguards franchise and centres on a conflict between two ancient factions fighting for humanity’s future.

Speaking about her role, Disha said the project gave her an opportunity to explore a completely different style of filmmaking and performance. She added that working with an international cast and crew helped broaden her understanding of cinema and exposed her to new methods of preparing for a role. According to the actor, every day on set became a learning experience because of the diverse backgrounds of those involved in the production.

Disha’s Hollywood debut comes after establishing herself in the Indian film industry through films including M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story, Baaghi 2, Malang, Yodha, Kalki 2898 AD and Kanguva. Over the years, she has worked across Hindi, Telugu, Tamil and international productions, gradually expanding her presence beyond Bollywood.

The actor recently appeared in Welcome To The Jungle and has several projects lined up across different film industries. With Holiguards Saga – The Portal of Force, she joins a growing list of Indian actors taking on international projects and collaborating with global filmmakers.

The film also marks Kevin Spacey’s return to directing after more than two decades. Spacey resumed his filmmaking career following his acquittal in a UK sexual assault trial in 2023, and Holiguards Saga – The Portal of Force is among his major projects since then.

Reflecting on the overall experience, Disha said the project reinforced the importance of preparation and perseverance. She added that the audition process, the collaborative atmosphere and the opportunity to work with an international team made the film a significant milestone in her career. According to the actor, the experience strengthened her belief that talent, discipline and continuous learning remain essential regardless of the film industry an actor works in.