Movie Lion premieres in Australia with Nicole Kidman and Dev Patel to walk the red carpet- alongside beaches men who got it made

The beaches business men who took on the film industry and won, will walk the red carpet with Nicole Kidman on Monday, as movie Lion hits Australia — and it’s even tipped for Oscar glory

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ON Monday they’ll walk the red carpet at Sydney’s State Theatre alongside movie queen, Nicole Kidman and acclaimed actor, Dev Patel.

But two northern beaches businessmen could be heading for another red carpet if predictions are anything to go by — at the Oscars.

Andrew Fraser and Shahen Mekertichian, the northern beaches men who took the movie Lion from book to screen

The long-awaited Lion starring Dev Patel and Nicole Kidman

Collaroy’s Andrew Fraser and Shahen Mekertichian from Manly, executive produced, Lion, which is up for four Golden Globes and two Screen Actors Guild awards, with both ceremonies seen as a precursor for the Oscars.

The pair of dads were executive producers on the film with Andrew’s Brookvale-based company Sunstar Entertainment co-producing the movie with See-Saw Films, the firm behind mega hit, The King’s Speech.

But Mr Fraser refused to be drawn on the possibility a golden statue or two could be on the cards. Oscar nominates are revealed on January 24.

Shahen Mekertichian and Andrew Fraser were Executive Producers on Lion which will, premiere in Sydney on Monday.

“We won’t get too far ahead of ourselves — we’re hoping it will get nominated and if it does we’ll probably do a sneaky little trip over,” he said.

The film has already won at film festivals around the world, and is out in the USA.

As reported in the Manly Daily, talent agent Mr Fraser, and friend, Mr Mekertichian, who has a banking background, had their idea for a film picked up by Hollywood giant Harvey Weinstein- who injected $12m — and it’s finally about to hit the big screen in Australia.

Andrew Fraser and Shahen Mekertichian, who got the film Lion, from book to screen, with star Rooney Mara

Dev Patel plays Saroo Brierley who lost his family in India, and was adopted to Tasmania. Incredibly, 25 years later he tracked them down using Google Earth and Facebook.

Mr Fraser, a dad of three, admits its been a steep learning curve — but they’re planning their next movie, about round-the-world sailor, Jessica Watson, called True Spirit.

Dev Patel in Lion.

“Five years ago I didn’t know the thing about the film industry now I can tell you every little detail.” he said.

“We both got told from everybody it’s a really brutal industry but we’ve navigated through it.”

Mr Fraser and Mr Mekertichian’s partners, Sonia and Mandie, will eventually get to share some of the glamour at the Australian premiere at the State Theatre on Monday, ahead of a January 19 release.

“They’ll all be frocked up- it’s nice to be able to share it with them- they’ve seen how hard we’ve worked,” said Mr Fraser, who said the pair will share in the movie’s royalties.

“It’s exciting but almost be a relief when it’s over- things have really cranked up.

“It’s a beautiful film I don’t think we’d change a thing.”

Nicole Kidman and Sunny Pawar in Lion.

And while Dev Patel is best known for another hit movie set in India, Mr Fraser said director Garth Davis declared that’s soon set to change.

“He said ‘Everybody knows Dev from Slumdog Millionaire. After this I think everyone will know Dev from Lion.”