“I was clear that I will back genuinely talented people” – says Anushka Sharma

June 27, 2020 - 11:47 AM IST

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, Anushka 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 at 25, I was clear that I will back genuinely talented people who give their everything to make a mark with their pure, raw talent and who 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 Clean Slate Filmz 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 brings to the project are 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 talented outsiders like director Navdeep Singh, actors Neil Bhoopalam, Darshan Kumaar, and writer (screenplay) Sudip Sharma, who went on to create this year’s best Indian digital show Paatal Lok for her. In Phillauri, Anushka backed director Anshai Lal, launched actress 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 superb actors like Tripti Dimri, Avinash Tiwary, and cinematographer Siddharth Diwan.

Anushka says, “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 been that studio that has tried to constantly 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 fresher it will become in ideas and attitude and we will produce more clutter-breaking content and artists which is definitely necessary.”