Prime Highlights:
- Anushka Shah, founder and CEO of Civic Studios, is transforming global entertainment with her creative and empathetic approach to storytelling.
- Her work focuses on using stories to inspire change and empower women in the creative industry.
Key Facts:
- Civic Studios’ films Santosh (2024) and Schirkoa: In Lies We Trust (2025) have earned global recognition, including premieres at Cannes and awards at IFFR.
- Shah leads her Mumbai- and London-based media company with a mission to blend creativity with purpose and social impact.
Background:
Anushka Shah, founder and CEO of Civic Studios, is transforming global entertainment with her leadership. Her Mumbai and London based company uses stories to inspire and create change.
Under her leadership, Civic Studios gained global acclaim with films like Santosh (2024) and Schirkoa: In Lies We Trust (2025), reflecting her goal to combine creativity with purpose.
In an interview, Shah said her biggest motivation as a woman entrepreneur comes from a strong sense of purpose. “Storytelling shapes how we see ourselves and others, it’s a privilege I value deeply,” she said. Being a woman in this industry means leading with empathy while staying focused. It’s about building your own path and helping others find theirs too,” she said.
Her projects are known for balancing entertainment and social consciousness. “The story always comes first,” she added. “If something doesn’t entertain, it won’t move people. Once you connect emotionally, the message naturally follows.”
Commenting on the growing space for women in entertainment, Shah noted that the industry is undergoing a significant shift. “Women are no longer just acting in stories; they’re creating them, financing them, and leading companies that tell them. The conversation has moved from representation to authorship.”
Shah is currently working on projects that focus on climate change and optimism, themes she believes are best expressed through hope. “Hope creates movement. Despair can paralyze people, but hope inspires action,” she said.
Looking ahead, Shah’s goal is to “scale purpose without losing joy,” continuing to build spaces where women lead with courage and conviction. In a glamour-driven industry, her journey proves that empathy and business can come together to create powerful stories.
