After sharing screen space with Gerard Butler in Kandahar (2023), Elnaaz Norouzi is now set to headline her first Hollywood film, Hotel Tehran, opposite Zachary Levi. The project also features legendary actor Liam Neeson. Confirming the news, Elnaaz shares, “The film revolves around an ex-CIA agent who travels to Tehran to uncover government secrets. Playing the lead alongside Zachary Levi, with my childhood favourite Liam Neeson in the film, is a huge deal for me. It still feels surreal.”

The 28-year-old describes the filming experience as one of the most fulfilling moments of her career. “The director, producers, and even Zachary were amazing to work with. I kept wondering if Hollywood is always like this or if I just got lucky! The film has turned out even better than we imagined,” she says, adding that Hotel Tehran is currently in the VFX stage and is slated for a late 2025 or early 2026 release.

Beyond work, the camaraderie on set made the experience even more memorable. “After shoots, we’d get together and play poker. I had never played before and Zachary, being a great poker player, actually taught me the game on set,” she reveals.

However, sharing screen space with Neeson was the real dream come true. “As a little girl, I dreamt of working with Shah Rukh Khan. But watching Liam Neeson, I never even imagined I’d one day be the female lead in a film he’s a part of. That, for me, is surreal,” she ends.