Actor Anushka Sharma feels that the more varied voices we have in the industry, the fresher it will become in ideas and attitude

Actor Anushka Sharma was a rank outsider when she debuted in Aditya Chopra’s Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi with Shah Rukh Khan. Now a superstar and a thought leader, she is considered a trailblazer who has carved her destiny with her talent, passion and hard work. The actress-turned-producer at a young age of 25 and her production decisions speak loudly of her inclination to give brilliant fellow outsiders a chance to shine in Bollywood.

Anushka says, “I have had a very interesting journey in Bollywood and I have tried to apply these important learnings from my experiences for my production company with Karnesh. Right from my debut film, I worked really hard so that I could get a chance to collaborate with some of the best filmmakers of our country. My desire was to always try and work with the best writers and directors.”

She adds, “So when I became a producer, I was clear that I will back genuinely talented people who give their everything to make a mark with their pure, raw talent and are looking for a foot into the business of films. Clean Slate Filmz has since then always been home to some really brilliant talents and we have passionately tried to show their raw, unfiltered voice to the world.”

Her brother, Karnesh Sharma says, “When we started our production company, we consciously wanted to work with a lot of fresh talent and we have continuously done so with actors, directors and technicians. The energy and fresh ideas that new talent bring to the project is invigorating and we intend to keep doing the same. We are also very passionate about chasing stories that are off the beaten track and keep searching for such ideas that push the envelope.”

Anushka’s first production NH10 saw her collaborate with outsiders like director Navdeep Singh, actors Neil Bhoopalam, Darshan Kumaar and writer (screenplay) Sudip Sharma, who went on to create this year’s one of the  best Indian digital shows Paatal Lok for her. In Phillauri, Anushka backed director Anshai Lal, launched actor Mehreen Pirzada and also helmed the debut of talented music composer Shashwat Sachdev, who has won a national award now.

In Pari, her third venture, Anushka backed director Prosit Roy. In Paatal Lok, she backed director Avinash Arun and cast powerful actors like Jaideep Ahlawat, Neeraj Kabi, Abhishek Banerjee, Niharika Lyra Dutt, etc. In Bulbbul, she launched director Anvita Dutt, the writer of Phillauri, backed actors like Tripti Dimri, Avinash Tiwary and cinematographer Siddharth Diwan.

“We always wanted to show strong, independent women to audiences through cinema and Bulbbul is our new offering in this regard. Portrayal of women in our cinema has always been skewed and lopsided. I felt that as an actress and I decided that I will correct this as much as I can through my productions,” says she.

The actor is thrilled that Bulbbul is getting great reviews! She says, “We are really proud that it is being loved by audience. The fact that people have called each and every attempt of ours as daring and adventurous is validation enough for us because we have really tried to give something new to people with each attempt.”

She adds, “Along with all the successes that our projects have witnessed which we are very proud of, for us what matters most is that we have tried to discover fresh talent from across the country. We will continue with this endeavour because we feel the more we have varied voices in the industry, the more fresher it will become in ideas and attitude. We will produce more clutter breaking content and artists which is definitely necessary.”