The success story of Shailesh Singh, an independent producer in Bollywood, is nothing less than a movie script. He kick-started his career as an apprentice and followed his dream to present content that not only entertains viewers but also prompts them to think. Over the years, he has backed films like Bas Ek Pal, Tanu Weds Manu, Shahid, Aligarh and Madaari. Shailesh, who completes a decade in the Hindi film industry this year, says, “I try to choose subjects that have an interesting storyline and touch the audience's hearts.“

However, the entrepreneur's journey has been replete with trials and tribulations. Hailing from a small town in Jaunpur, he came from an academically-inclined family as his father and grandfather were school principals. But Shailesh wasn't too keen on studies and divided his time between his twin passions - cricket and movies. A fan of Amitabh Bachchan and Mithun Chakraborty, he says, “I'd travel 12 to 15 kilometres to watch a film.“ He adds, “When I got home, my parents would be angry with me.“ One day, he finally decided to take a leap of faith. With a sports magazine in hand and Rs 400 in his pocket, he ran away from home when he was 15 and came to Mumbai to pursue a career in cricket. He headed straight to Shivaji Park and started training in cricket for more than two years.

A young Shailesh soon realised that he had to earn money to survive and cricket wasn't a feasible option. So he went back home and after another few years, returned to Mumbai to work as an apprentice with director Mansoor Khan on Akele Hum Akele Tum. Later, he also assisted Joy Augustine on Tere Mere Sapne and tried his hand at television by writing a few episodes of shows like Mehndi Tere Naam Ki, Rishtey and Choodiyan. Unhappy with the remuneration, he decided to become a television producer. “I wrote and produced my own show in 2001 and followed it up with a few other serials until 2005,“ he adds. In 2005, he met Onir and decided to produce his first venture, Bas Ek Pal, under his banner Paramhans Entertainment. He explains, “Onir and I instantly connected. I loved his idea and decided to produce it. He showed a lot of faith in me.“ Shailesh's fortune changed after he decided to present director Aanand L Rai's Tanu Weds Manu in 2011. He continues, “No one wanted to back that film. I decided to produce it. Since then it has been a wonderful journey.“

Praising the producer, produce it Aanand says, “Shailesh is like my brother and we often bounce off ideas to each other. He is focused about the kind of films he wants to make.“ Hansal Mehta, who collaborated with him on Shahid and Aligarh, states, “He is passionate about cinema. I've been privy to his amazing journey and filmmakers like me owe their freedom to producers like him.“

Nishikant Kamat, who helmed Madaari, couldn't agree more. He adds, “Shailesh has the instincts to back content-oriented films. He listens to the narration and makes his decision instantly.“

Meanwhile, Shailesh has already started working on a handful of eclectic projects. Besides teaming up with Hansal on Praful Patel, starring Kangana Ranaut in the lead, he's working with Aanand on Manmarziyan. “I'm excited to collaborate with Mira Nair on a film that marks her nephew Ishaan Nair's directorial debut. I'm also producing Bejoy Nambiar's next with Dhanush in the lead,“ he signs off.