Anushka Sharma - A Woman Of Many Parts

When Sharma started a film production company at 25, critics said it was too early. But three films and an apparel line later, she says its only the beginning.

- Jui Mukherjee And Aveek Datta

It isn't uncommon for film actors to use their skills to enthral audiences and build a legion of fans that give them currency in the form of brand value. But few actors, in the initial part of their careers, learn the ropes of the trade, including how a film is distributed and marketed as a consumer product, and seek to build a business based on such knowledge. Yet that is exactly what Anushka Sharma, 30, has sought to do, as she juggles her acting career, brand endorsements, production house, and fashion label.

Sharma, who completes a decade in the Hindi film industry in 2018, calls herself an “accidental actor”. The star of blockbuster films like PK and Sultan says she had never planned to become an actor, let alone start producing films. But she has not only made a mark as a top actress, but also carved a niche for herself as a producer of films with offbeat stories, in a short span of time.

With three films from her production house, Clean Slate Films, clocking impressive returns and a popular apparel line under her belt, Sharma makes her debut in Fortune India’s Most Powerful Women in business list for 2018 at rank 26. Sharma has already tasted success as an actress; some media reports peg her annual income at over 26 crore and her net worth at over 220 crore. Fortune India couldn’t independently verify these figures. But it is her focus on bringing to life stories that are far from being run-of-the-mill that sets her apart in Bollywood.