Anushka Sharma on Making her Mark on-screen and Behind the Scenes Unapologetic, confident and comfortable - that's what Anushka Sharma stands for.

Anushka doesn't need to wear a power suit to exude power. As a young entrepreneur, she is just comfortable in her own skin, meeting producers, actors, script-writers in sneakers and denims.

Unapologetic, confident and comfortable - that's what Anushka Sharma stands for. When Entrepreneur met her for the cover shoot, unlike other celebs, Anushka came wearing her usual denims, utterly cool about just being herself So, when team Entrepreneur discussed on the styling for her, it was neither a pin-up actress nor the power-struck corporate attire, we decided for funky yet confident self of Anushka Sharma, the person with the brains of a producer and looks and finesse of an actor.

Young, successful, still not happy with where she stood, Anushka went on to change the industry norms. Indian actors usually take on production at the fagend of their career. But, deciding her own rules, she was only 25 when she decided to produce her first film. Born to an Army man, Anushka had a well-rounded upbringing and took to various sports like swimming and horse riding and an open childhood let her to have an evolved attitude towards life.

As every other young girl, she would often stand in front of the mirror wearing her mother's clothes "I never had any inclination to become an actress," says Anushka Sharma. But, by the time she was 12, she knew she wanted to be a model. "There was a girl in my colony, who did an advertisement and I saw her pictures in magazines and everyone would look at it. I thought it to be pretty cool and decided that I should also do something like this," reminisces Anushka.

Anushka started modeling when she was 15 and her first assignment came from renowned photographer, Prasad Bidapa. Talking about her mentor, Anushka says, "I went there when I was very young and he was protective of me and my parents really trusted him. Once, I just went to meet him along with my mom and he said he would be happy to make me walk for the first fashion show, which was scheduled in weeks. This was the same year when I met him." That was the first time, Anushka walked on the ramp and looking back she remembers that she was very nervous that day. She continued modeling in her school and college days.

And, at 19, she auditioned and got selected for SRK starrer, Yash Raj film, Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi. Getting this far wasn't difficult, but for her it was a struggle to get used to stardom and the fame that came with it. As per her she lost the anonymity of being a regular girl to embrace the fame of an actor. Talking about the changed life, she says, "It was really a big film, so there were a lot of hype around that and I got instant recognition after it. It was a lot for me to take in because I wasn't prepared for all that and it took about six months for the feeling to sink in. Now, I feel more at ease with what I am doing and I am doing things which I believe in and want to do."

There are actors, who are just happy sticking to their work onscreen, and there are people like Anushka Sharma, who even after fetching the best roles are pushing themselves further. Not feeling fulfilled with the kind of work that was being offered to her, Anushka co-founded Clean Slate Films in 2014 with her brother, Karnesh Sharma, and went on to produce and act in NH 10, which was declared a sleeper hit. Released in 2015, on a budget of about US $2.1 million, NH10 raked in approximately US $5.1 million worldwide at the Box Office.

"There was a need of certain kind of movies and I wanted to make them," shares Anushka on her turning a producer. Besides starring in her own productions, Anushka went on to deliver hits like Sultan and Ae Dil Hai Mushkil.Post the success of NH10, Anushka is now all set with her second production, Phillauri, which is due for release on March 24, 2017. Anushka would often sit with her brother and discuss the excitement and passion of various ideas. Production was always there at the back of her mind, but she never wanted to actively pursue it.

Anushka says, "Once at the sets of PK, I with the writer, Abhijat Joshi just went on to have a good conversation and he told me that it seems you understand script more. Why don't you think of creating content." May be it wasn't an eureka moment for her but it helped her to be more confident about what was already building up. Having the sense of not enough good roles around that were being pitched to female leads, she felt the willingness to do much more with the opportunity available.

Talking about the moment she turned a producer, Anushka shares, "When NH10 came to me, I knew that it would be a film which is going to be on my shoulder, I have to pull it off . To top it all it carried an adult certificate and hence it won't have a wide audience. I knew that the film would not appeal all but will have heavy impact. I was confident about the film and I told them that I was ready to shoulder the load considering the fact that it was made on a minimal budget. And, this factor gave the movie the opportunity to be more real."

That's how she decided to get involved with NH10. Her production house is actively working with newer people and collaborating with new talent and fresh directors and writers. With Anushka taking care of the creative side, her brother understands the people management well.

Talking about working with her brother, Anushka says, "When you have a similar kind of vision for your company then I think it becomes easier to tackle things because somebody at different page makes operations difficult. We are close to each other and trusting so a similar mindset helps." Going forward, Anushka says, work has already begun on her third production. Anushka would also like to venture into the brand licensing and merchandise for further brand extension.

Producing a Film at the Age of 25, was the Biggest Turning Point for Anushka Sharma

Do Indian actresses only know how to make fortune or they know how to make money on their fortune. Anushka Sharma has an answer.

Which one you count as your biggest creative bet?

It's not one big event because in past few years, I played very diverse roles onscreen and all of them are very different from each other. They challenged me physically and mentally in very different ways. It's very hard to point out something in particular because I find that I have grown and being challenged as an actor. The decision to produce a film at the age of 25, I would say was the biggest turning point of my life. It changed the way I was looking at the world and the world was looking at me.

How do you manage your time as an actor and producer?

I have done more films in the past but I chose to do lesser number of films now. I don't get involved in a movie or a project until and unless I am fully convinced about it that it would bring something different for my audience. But, definitely production is an additional responsibility for sure but it is still the same industry. Currently, I am acting in all the films that are being produced by Clean State Films but the idea is to get other actors also.

I might be too old or too young for a particular role or I might not be the right fit. We started a production house which tends to make films on new contents and I enjoy it more what I am doing today. I love doing both the things together, I am more involved and have more responsibility and that's how I am as a person. I love to do something where I am collaborating with creative people and that gives me a big high.

What is your ethos as a producer?

With NH10, we captured a very different audience. Also Phillauri, as a film is different. The understanding of the audience in past two years has been great and we know that each time, we have to offer something different according to the needs of the audience, because all films, which are made here, have a similar pattern, either action or love stories etc.

In case of Philauri, which is a love story of a ghost, we had to create a character of a ghost. So quality and storytelling have to come together to make a good film. So keeping all these factors in mind, I endeavour to make a film which is different in all these aspects but yet entertaining. Because, people have other mediums to watch movies like Netflix and Amazon Prime which have already arrived in the market.

In last three years, which you have spent as a producer, how much have you evolved?

I am still learning. Me and my brother are not from this industry and we are experimenting. We just want to use this opportunity to our best potential. I don't know, where I am and how much have I learnt, but I just want to say we are learning. We strongly believe in instincts and have the courage to follow. It is always going to be marketing, distribution, marketing idea, etc.

As an entrepreneur what is your style of working?

I believe that working with the right kind of people is very important. Then you can have lots of ideas with which better things can be done. I mean not just people who are good in work, but also like my brother who intervene in the work and tell what is wrong and what is right. So, being with likeminded people and people who are passionate about making films, is very important. But, people like my brother, who has worked in merchant navy, but still has a creative bone. We also treat our company as a start-up. So I think these few things really work.

How this industry has evolved from organising funding which is available?

It has definitely evolved and is getting better. New structures are coming in, there is scope for all to enter and is giving a lot of opportunities for producers like us. At a same time, there is a downside also, with lot of money being spent. There are lots of studios available but you need to have a right creative person heading it.

Anushka shared five lifehacks to success with Entrepreneur India:

IMPORTANCE OF PARTNERSHIP: For any creative person, ideas can be many but executing them with the right team is necessary, that's where Anushka struck gold. She found a perfect business partner in her brother.

TAKE RISKS EARLY ON: Anushka Sharma turned a producer at the age of 25. She knew if she has to take a risk it has to be now. She cannot wait for any other better time.

BEING AN OUTSIDER HELPS: Not coming from the industry helps you as you don't come with a fixed notion. Don't carry any baggage.

TAKE A CREATIVE BET: Have the courage to follow your instincts and back them.

BUILD A GREAT TEAM: Just like any start-up a great company is built on its people and Anushka vouches on her team. There is a team who executes the entire plan for her.

Photographer: Prasad Naik

Makeup: Puneet B Saini

Hair: Gabriel Georgiou from Anima Creative Management

Stylist: Allia Al Rufai

(This article was first published in the March issue of Entrepreneur Magazine. To subscribe, click here)