Producer Anushka Shah reflects on balancing entertainment with empowerment: 'ROI can never be measured in money'

Anup Soni, Anushka Shah and Barun Sobti

Producer Anushka Shah ended 2025 on a high with the release of Gurinder Chadha's Christmas Karma. Centred on an Indian immigrant, the dramedy reflected Shah's belief in purposeful entertainment. "Making films and shows is a struggle right now. However, for films, ROI can never be measured just in money. It has to be measured in emotions, purpose, and engagement."

Staying true to that philosophy, Shah's Civic Studios is now preparing for its next outing, Ikatthe, a web series revolving around a Sikh family based in Delhi. The show is helmed by Hardik Mehta, and written by Gursimran Khamba. It stars Barun Sobti, Anup Soni, and Hasleen Kaur, among others. mid-day has learnt that Mehta has wrapped up the shoot. "It's a light-hearted show about three generations of the Sodhi family, as they navigate living in West Delhi and as Sikhs in particular," a source informs. Following Ikatthe, the studio also has collaborations lined up with filmmakers Pan Nalin and Hitesh Kewalya.