Anushka Shah, the founder of Civic Studios, is making waves in the entertainment industry with her dedication to purposeful storytelling and social impact. Fresh off the release of "Christmas Karma," a heartwarming diaspora-rooted Christmas musical, Shah recently shared insights into her creative journey, influences, and the importance of taking risks in filmmaking.

Shah's path to becoming a producer was significantly shaped by impactful films like "Rang De Basanti". She said that films have the power to influence and pave the path for a better future. This realization led her to establish Civic Studios in 2019, a production house focused on creating "civic entertainment" that promotes democracy and social change in India.

"Christmas Karma" marks a significant milestone in Shah's career. As the executive producer of the film, she played a crucial role in bringing Gurinder Chadha's vision to life. Shah's support for the film stems from its universal themes of giving and living, embodied in the essence of Christmas and karma. She believes the movie's exploration of the migrant story is particularly relevant in today's global climate.

Shah met Chadha at the Cannes Film Festival, which led to their collaboration. According to Shah, it felt like the collaboration was meant to be. Chadha described the meeting as "serendipitous and karma,". Shah was immediately drawn to the script's powerful message and Chadha's track record of creating entertaining and thought-provoking films.

Shah emphasizes the importance of producers taking risks to support diverse voices and narratives. She believes that financing should reflect a commitment to women empowerment and representation, urging the industry to move beyond mere claims and actively invest in such projects. She notes that despite Chadha's success with films like "Bend It Like Beckham," it remains challenging for filmmakers of color to secure funding, highlighting the need for structural changes in the industry.

Civic Studios intends to support socially relevant and underrepresented voices, whether in diaspora stories or climate media, and "Christmas Karma" is just the beginning. Shah is currently involved in projects that focus on climate change and optimism, themes she believes are best expressed through hope. "Hope creates movement," she asserts, emphasizing the power of storytelling to inspire action.

Shah's work extends beyond producing films. Her focus is on using stories to inspire change and empower women in the creative industry. According to Shah, Civic Studios brings talented writers and producers together with powerful activists and change-makers to create stories to change the world. Shah believes that entertainment is the best tool to further civic education.

Looking ahead, Shah aims to "scale purpose without losing joy," continuing to build spaces where women lead with courage and conviction. Her journey exemplifies how empathy and business can merge to create powerful stories that resonate globally.