After their maiden venture, the gritty NH10 (2015), and the recent family entertainer, Phillauri, actress Anushka Sharma and her brother Karnesh Sharma are all set for their next. The film, which will be made under their banner, Clean Slate Films, will be co-produced by KriArj Entertainment. Scheduled to go on floors this summer, the untitled love story will be shot in Mumbai and Kolkata.

Anushka says, “Our endeavour is to tell stories that are not only meaningful and different, but touch hearts as well. This is yet another step in that direction.“ The Sharmas are pushing the envelope in creating relevant, entertaining and engaging cinema across genres with not just diverse stories, but also excellence in all departments of filmmaking.

Meanwhile, KriArj Entertainment, founded by Arjun N Kapoor, is all set for its second outing (after Rustom) with Akshay Kumar, Toilet - Ek Prem Katha. For their first association with Anushka-Karnesh, the production house will also be collaborating with KYTA Productions.

Says Arjun, “My partner Prernaa Arora and I are delighted to start our association with Clean Slate Films. Anushka not only brings on board her talent as an actor, but also astute sense as a producer. Their passion for films is something that we too identify with. We are certain that our partnership will create content that will further the reputation of our young companies and stand out from the crowd.“

Karnesh adds, “Our search for a suitable title is on. This film marks the beginning of our association with people, who share our vision to create engaging, content-led cinema.“ Ajay Kapoor of KYTA Productions, with which Arjun's company is collaborating on multiple ventures, starting with Anushka's new film, says, “It is indeed a pleasure to work with like-minded people, who believe in the power of content and entertainment value.“

Zee Music has also come on board as the music partner on the project. Anurag Bedi of the music label, says, “We are excited about this upcoming venture with Anushka-Karnesh and Arjun-Prernaa.“

Hate begets hate. Positivity spawns positivity and failure is just one more step in our march to success - this is the mantra that Anushka Sharma lives by. She shrugs off slander, laughs away at the evils of social media and confesses that she didn't have a clear vision from the beginning, but says, “I knew what I didn't want to do.“ That's her - feisty and fearless. It reflects in her choices of films, too. Like the upcoming Phillauri, which is also her second production with brother Karnesh. How different can she be? Read on to find out more about what makes Anushka tick...

For NH10, your first film as producer, you chose Navdeep Singh as your director, who was just one-film old. Now, for Phillauri, you are again working with a first-time director, Anshai Lal. You really vest a lot of faith in new talent, right?
I have worked in Band Baaja Baaraat with a new director, Maneesh Sharma, and that was a turning point in my career. In fact, at that point, when I was so new, I needed an established director even more, but I believed in him. I think at some point someone gave me a chance, so there is no reason why I shouldn't do the same. I hadn't seen Manorama Six Feet Under when I decided to work with Navdeep Singh. I judged him on the basis of how he had written the story and the way he narrated the film. Sometimes, your instinct tells you that something is right.

Anshai Lal, on the other hand, has been my brother Karnesh's (producer) friend for years and when he came up with the idea, we all liked it, but there was no story around it. I was intrigued by his take on something like a boy getting married to a tree because he is a manglik.

In Bollywood when a film does well, people rush to adapt, remake and repackage the same concept. Even actors follow suit, and it becomes a vicious cycle...
The industry likes to repeat things that have worked with the audiences. I am completely the opposite of that. I will not do something that I have done before. I have refused a lot of good scripts just on those grounds. The films were good and they did well too, but it didn't work in my scheme of things. After NH10, I was offered a lot of roles to play a strong woman avenging her husband's death, but I wasn't keen on doing them. If something has worked and it's repeated, how will it work again?

If you observe, often when people come to you with scripts, they give you a reference of some other film. Like that, NH10 became a reference film. And I want to create more such reference films. Today, people have access to all kinds of entertainment from around the world, so unless it is a Salman, SRK or Aamir film, which draws audience to the theatres owing to their huge fan following, you have to offer the film goers something different. That is the only way you can get them to the theatres. Even Sultan for that matter, was different for a Salman Khan film. In the same way, Phillauri is dealing with something new, even if it is a commercial family film. In fact, the way the character of the bhoot has been presented visually is something you have never seen before in films.

Do you think that when a film fails, the entire onus is on the actor?
That's not true. It affects everyone. But the thing with actors is that when a film fails, we can quickly move on to another film, but a director finds it harder to come out of a slump. The recovery is quicker for actors, because we can work on many films at the same time.

From the start, you seemed to have a clear vision of what you wanted to do, and the pressures of stardom haven't tempted you to do otherwise. Like resisting the need to work with only superstars so that your stock goes higher...
I haven't done it for nine years, why would I do it now? I didn't succumb when I was new, so there is no question of it at this stage. It's not like I had a clear vision, but from the beginning, I knew what I didn't want to do. I don't want to just look glamorous in a film because I believe I have more to offer. And I want chances to express that.

Your brother Karnesh and you seem to be great business partners, but do sibling squabbles ever come in the way?
We have our fights, but the truth is that when you are working with a family member, you forget about being tactful. On the contrary, when you are working with someone else, you are often careful about what you say and do. Karnesh and I had to travel this journey and reach a point where we could comfortably find a balance, which is important for a healthy partnership. The trust factor between us is immense, and our values are the same, as we have been brought up by the same people. We both deal with situations in a similar way. Our parents are proud and happy that we are doing something together, though they don't specifically discuss films, unless it comes up in conversations. They are not film parents who get involved in what we are doing.

A few years ago, you were advised to not get into the production business...
People say things to you depending on the way they understand the world. I don't think that they are doing it out of malice in their heart - that's what they know, so that's what they will tell you. If I was scared of failing as a producer, I wouldn't be in the business. I know that physically, I can't be everywhere, but I am wholly and entirely involved in everything along with my brother. I think responsibility pushes me and I'm not the kind to crack under pressure. There were people from the industry like Mukesh Bhatt who called me up and encouraged me when I turned producer. And there were some who didn't take me seriously. I guess they thought it's a random one-off thing, but now they have realised that I am serious about it. When people deter me, it only makes me stronger. I know being a producer is risky business, but what is not risky? Even when you act in a film its risky because you don't know what its fate will be. I don't work with fear, I work with conviction.

You have expressed you anger against trolls on social media. What is your way of dealing with them?
When my films are releasing, I look up a lot at my mentions, otherwise I don't bother. The best thing to do when someone is being inappropriate is just ignore and block them. Block the trolls - it is the best feeling. I believe that if you don't have anything good to say, don't say any thing at all. We live in a world where hatred is on the rise and people think it is okay to hate. I don't want to encourage it, even if it is on social media. As an actor, I don't need any of those people in my space. After a whole day of hard work, the last thing you need is people talking bulls**t and being nasty. Sometimes, you have to be come thick-skinned as an actor. You begin to understand how these people out there are insecure and unhappy about your life and success. There are a lot of misogynistic men out there, who have an issue with women expressing themselves. They cannot stand it and this is how they express it. They are actually powerless people. The only power they have is the 140-characters online.

Taking off from what you just said, have all these years in the industry made you thick-skinned?
I won't say that nothing bothers me, but I'm logical and practical. Once I understand why someone is saying something, I deal with it better. Yes, there are times when you get very shaky and upset, but you have to let it pass. For me, the most important thing in my life is to make peace with things and move on. Frankly, I have not faced extreme failure ever in my life. Also, given the number of years I've been around, I've done fewer films compared to my contemporaries. I leave no stone unturned to do my best; if it doesn't work, I just accept it. I know that we all like to be control freaks, but trying to control things too much can mess you up. I think it is important to go through failures to change the course of action in your life. Sometimes, failure is a telling sign, and you got to understand it and act on it.

There has been a lot of talk about your supposed engagement (to Virat Kohli). Is marriage on the cards soon?
It's not something I like to talk about. I want all the focus to be on my work and I am giving people enough reasons to talk about my work (smiles).

Anushka Sharma, we hear, had one strict diktat for her production crew during the shoot of her upcoming venture, Phillauri. Since the harvesting period in Punjab was falling during their marathon schedule, the actress-producer had instructed her team to not damage the wheat crop in the fields.

Being the conscious citizen that she is when it comes to nature and animals, Anushka told her team to make narrow pathways so the crops didn't get damaged while they shot there. Even though the owners of the fields permitted them to make broader ways into the fields to facilitate the movement of the team and their equipment, Anushka didn't want to take that freedom for granted. Not only did the production team ensure that the crop didn't suffer any damage but also made sure that the locals were included in the team. Every wish of the villagers was also taken into consideration.

Her brother Karnesh, who's producing the movie with the actress, confirms saying, “The harvest season is the most important time for the farmers. We were well aware of their sentiments while shooting just after Baisakhi last year. So, we had informed everyone from the team not to damage the wheat crop in any way and to use very narrow pathways in the fields.“

Looks like 2017 is going to be the year of joint ventures in Bollywood.After producing Rustom and the upcoming Toilet - Ek Prem Katha, KriArj Entertainment has announced a tie-up with Clean Slate Films, the production banner owned by Anushka Sharma and her brother Karnesh. Their first film together will go on floors this year.

Karnesh says, “We are happy about this association. Both production houses share a common vision - to provide strong content to discerning cinema viewers.“ Following the success of their maiden production NH10, Karnesh and Anushka are also ready to release their next, Phillauri.

Arjun N Kapoor, the cofounder of KriArj Entertainment along with Virender Arora, adds, “There couldn't be a more fitting partnership. Clean Slate Films has shown consistency in providing quality content. We look forward to a long term collaboration.“

After foraying into film production with Navdeep Singh's gritty slasher-thriller NH10, Anushka Sharma recently revealed in a video chat with Anupama Chopra that she is reuniting with Singh for another thriller that she may act in. She is also to embark on two other productions, debutant director Anshai Lal's romcom, and Delhi Belly writer Akshat Verma's laugh riot, in the new year. Now, Mirror has learnt that the 27-year-old actress-producer has signed Ayushmann Khurrana for Anshai's film. Buzz is, Anushka will also feature in the film.

First-timer Anshai has previously assisted on the 2006 Rahul Bose and Mallika Sherawat-starrer, Pyaar Ke Side Effects, and Sajid Khan's first instalment of the Housefull series in 2010.

Anushka, who is currently filming with Ranbir Kapoor for an upcoming romance-drama in London, had informed (Mirror, December 8) that Anshai's script is a funny, happy romance with loads of humour and is also content and technique-heavy. “A proper feature film with songs, too,“ she had added.

The film will roll in mid-2016. Anushka's brother Karnesh is overseeing the progress closely. Ayushmann, who is currently filming Sameer Sharma's Punjabi romance, Manmarziyan, alongside Bhumi Pednekar, signed up for another rom com, presumably because it's a new director-producer team.

In an interview with Mirror (September 12), the actor, who made his debut with the muchloved Vicky Donor ­ the first production of another actor-turned-producer, John Abraham, had revealed that the combination of a new producer and new director could be a tricky spot, but he has been lucky to have found filmmakers who have “captained the ship with ease“. It looks like he is excited to have found another of the kind in Anushka-Anshai.

Brother-sister relationship has played a pivotal part in Bollywood movies in the past. As this sibling revelry remains the focal point of the upcoming film Dil Dhadakne Do, helmed by Zoya Akhtar and featuring her brother Farhan Akhtar, here's looking at some real bhai-behen jodis of B-Town..

While many a girl's heart goes dhak-dhak for Ranveer Singh, one girl the dashing actor loves the most in the world is his sister Ritika. In a recent interview to Bombay Times, he said, “She is my second mother and is two years older. She pampers me crazily, is my spine, my strength and she is what keeps me centered. She is so sensitive to me, so understanding and always selflessly does so much for me.“

Ditto Ranbir Kapoor, who dotes on his sister Riddhima Kapoor Sahni. A few weeks ago, the two siblings also shared on the internet a photograph with her daughter Samara.


For Anushka Sharma, her brother Karnesh is one of the four most important people in her life. As she admitted in an interview to BT recently, “If my parents or brother or Virat were upset, it would upset me but those are the only people who are important for me and can change my mood. Earlier I would give that power to anybody, but that power is today only with them. Now no one else has the power over me.“


Never mind if Hrithik Roshan has moved out of the family home, sister Sunaina plays an important part in his life. The close bond the brother-sister share is evident in the way he talks of how she's greater than him. In an earlier inter view, he has been quoted saying, “I know she is the one person who will be by my side no matter what. And at the same time, she will never be afraid to tell me that I am wrong. She has integrity as well as the power to love.“


Saif Ali Khan too shares a wonderful bond with his sisters Soha and Saba.While the sisters can talk to their bhai about anything under the sun, he is generous, warm, loving and protective towards them.


Another actor who adores his elder sibling is Abhishek Bachchan. On Shweta Nanda's birthday this year, he posted on a photo-sharing website, “Big sisters are the best...“


Priyanka Chopra, who dotes on her younger brother Siddharth, also shares new developments in his life, on social media. Like when he was starting a pub lounge in Pune, PeeCee had taken time off to launch the place. Also fond of Siddharth is cousin, actress Parineeti Chopra, who inaugurated his café in Mumbai earlier this year.


Tusshar and Ekta Kapoor may have their own spaces in the family home, but they are always there for each other. While she gets him a gift every time she goes out of town, he spends plenty of time in looking for the right gift for her.


Shah Rukh Khan too shares a very close bond with his sister Shehnaz, to whom he means the world. Recently, the superstar shared from his conversation with her over who was cuter, he or his younger son AbRam. He wrote, “Sisters are so cute. I asked mine if she remembers if I looked like lil AbRam. She said, `Noo!! U were very handsome'. Ha ha“ (sic).