Anushka Sharma On JHMS, and Why She Became A Producer

Actor Anushka Sharma on her latest film and why she became a producer.

- Priyanka Bhadani

Anushka Sharma believes in going all out while promoting her films. Recently, during the launch of the trailer of her upcoming film, Jab Harry Met Sejal, Sharma took to the stage as Sejal, the character she plays in the film. She was accompanied by the film’s director Imtiaz Ali. Her costar, Shah Rukh Khan, who was in Los Angeles, joined the team via video conferencing. Sharma was equally hands-on while promoting her home production Phillauri, which came out in March. She interacted extensively with the media and on one occasion she even spoke to a reporter’s mother. She made good use of the digital platform through the campaign #Shashiwasthere.

After being part of the film industry for nine years, Sharma is getting into other aspects of filmmaking. Today, she has a better understanding of how the industry works. “I think the promotions encapsulate what the film [Jab Harry Met Sejal] really is like. It is a happy film with interesting characters,” says Sharma. “Somewhere we are trying to engage the people and help them connect with the characters. The promotions for Phillauri were different in terms of the medium that was used, like augmented reality and creating social media platforms that got really popular. I think every film demands [a different strategy] and as an actor you just follow that. That is what I am doing.”

Sharma is one of the youngest women producers in India, and her first film, NH10, under the banner Clean Slate Films, was highly appreciated. Phillauri was her second outing as producer. Though the film got a lukewarm response at the box-office, its concept and marketing campaign generated a good response.