New movie Lion, with Nicole Kidman, has northern beaches duo as executive producers

VIDEO: As Nicole Kidman and Dev Patel walked the red carpet for movie, Lion, it was a special night for the two beaches men who took on Hollywood and won.

• Sydney dads strike gold with Oscar hopeful movie, Lion

WALKING the red carpet at Sydney’s State Theatre as fans screamed for stars ­Nicole Kidman and Dev Patel, was the culmination of four years of work for northern beaches businessmen Andrew Fraser and Shahen Mekertichian.

They finally saw the movie they made happen, Lion , hit the big screen in Australia.

Executive producers Andrew Fraser and Shahen Mekertichian at the Australian premiere of Lion held at The State Theatre in Sydney. Picture: Christian Gilles

Mr Mekertichian, from Manly said: “It’s the best experience because it’s on our home turf.”

Collaroy’s Mr Fraser added: “It’s great to be able to share it with family as well. We’ve got all the kids and our partners.

“We just had a quick drink with Dev Patel, and Nicole Kidman’s coming later to the small unofficial after-party and David Wenham’s also here, too, and the director, Garth Davis.”

Actors Dev Patel, Nicole Kidman and David Wenham arrive for the Australian premiere of Lion in Sydney. Picture: AAP Image/Paul Miller

As reported in the Manly Daily, the film is based on the real-life story of Indian boy Saroo Brierley who was adopted by a Tasmanian couple from an orphanage after getting lost aged five.

Mr Brierley found his birth mother 25 years later after tracking down his village using vague memories and Google Earth.

Dev Patel in the movie, Lion.

Saroo Brierley's book A Long Way Home inspired the movie.

Mr Mekertichian and Mr Fraser bought the rights to the remarkable story, written by Mr Brierley, after meeting him in Tasmania.

Through their Brookvale firm Sunstar Entertainment, they navigated the fierce Hollywood movie industry to get the film made — including resisting offers from companies wanting to move the story to the US.

Dev Patel as Saroo Brierley in Lion.

It has been nominated for four Golden Globes and is expected to win Oscars.

Director Garth Davis told the Manly Daily: “They’re kind of like the protectors of the family. They had to hear my take, and feel comfortable with it.”

LION’S TALE

Collaroy’s Andrew Fraser is a sports agent who manages round-the-world sailor Jessica Watson.

He was with her in Tasmania when he met Saroo Brierley, who wrote a book about how he found his family after being lost for 25 years.

Mr Fraser and friend Shahen Mekertichian bought the rights to the book and set about getting filmmakers on board.

Movie heavyweight Harvey Weinstein got involved at the Cannes Film Festival, and the filmmaking process began with See Saw Films which won Oscars for The King’s Speech.

Lion is out on January 19.