When Amar Sidhu graduated from Tulane Medical School in 1999 at the top of his class, his focus was on medicine, and his acting aspirations were put on hold.

Film is something I wanted to do as a high school student, but I grew up in Seattle as a practical thinker, Sidhu said. I have a great love for science and I decided to pursue medicine. By the time I got into medical school, I had a goal to be the best doctor I could be.

Now, 14 years later, Sidhu balances his time between two full-time jobs, one as a doctor and one as an actor and producer.

In 2008, Sidhu founded Ancient Arrow Films, his independent production company, and in 2009, he produced and starred in Aakhari Decision, a Bollywood action film. The movie was released in India and North America in 2010.

In an autobiographical article he wrote for Filmmaker Magazine, Sidhu said he used the profits from Aakhari Decision to finance his second film, The Black Russian, which is being submitted to the Los Angeles Film Festival and Toronto International Film Festival this year. His next project will be Winters Dream, a post-apocalyptic story set in 2177.

Sidhu said he did not expect his side job to be so successful.

Acting is my passion and why I jumped into the film production world in the first place, Sidhu wrote in his article. Yes, I want to make the best films possible, but I also want to create quality films I can act in. Eventually, other directors and producers will see my work and other doors will open.

In addition to pursuing his passion for film, he also practices as a prominent dermasurgeon at his private practice in southern California, Foothill Dermatology.

Ive learned to juggle my schedule, and its very rewarding, Sidhu said. It boils down to time management. You get to be really good at it in medical school.

Sidhu was the president of the Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society, an organization that invites the top 10 percent of medical students.

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Medical School graduate Amar Sidhu produces and stars in upcoming film