By JULES LAVALLEE
Ritu Sharda has extensive connections in the global entertainment industry, ranging from Hollywood to Bollywood and various regional cinemas. Known for her Midas touch, she can transform the ordinary into the extraordinary. With her sharp business acumen, infectious passion, and drive, she has established herself among the top league of Canadian producers.
Ritu’s career has traversed a meteoric vector with two decades in the Banking industry. Ritu scaled the hierarchical echelons where she rose to the position of Vice President of the Bank and pivoted to a burgeoning Real Estate sector representing mega townships as the head of projects. Tasked with turnaround requirements for floundering projects, Ritu charted a neo strategic roadmap for reviving, completion, and delivery of multiple projects.
As the CEO of a Toronto-based investment conglomerate, Ritu Sharda successfully revived the entertainment arm of the group. Under her leadership, the company created, and executive produced the latest documentary in the Star Wars franchise, directed by Academy Award winner Roger Christian. Additionally, Ritu Sharda Executive Produced the production of “Maternal,” directed by Megan Follows.
Ritu Sharda passionately believes in the importance of relationships in both her professional and personal life. This mindset has paved the way for successful collaborations, benefiting both the teams she works with and the conglomerate. Ritu’s remarkable personal brand value has allowed her to form alliances with associate production partners and government representatives (Including the Film Commissioner of Marrakech, Morocco), thereby expanding the global presence of Escala Entertainment.
As an executive producer, Ritu Sharda leads international projects in world cinema and oversees the creative and production teams of entertainment businesses across multiple continents. In addition to Escala Entertainment, Ritu has also founded Escala Film Studios LLC UAE and Escala Film Productions LLC UAE.
Under Ritu Sharda’s leadership, Escala Film Productions and Escala Entertainment Inc. are currently producing a fantasy mythological drama called “Black Angel,” an indigenous documentary titled “Turtle Island,” a Bollywood thriller, and a Punjabi comedy.
From Hollywood to Bollywood you have been an extraordinary force in the entertainment industry. When did it all begin for you?
As a banker for over a decade and half, handling the largest and the most dynamic regions of India I was constantly driven by a passion for creativity and a conviction in the power of visual content to drive social change. Growing up in a family of intellectuals I was always encouraged to explore India’s vibrant cultural tapestry. The two aspects when coupled resulted in an ability to visualize vivid creativity where none existed. After completing my education and working in the financial sector and real estate with multi-billion dollar footprints, I moved to Canada, where my expertise in financial management and strategic resource allocation brought a much needed control drive for cinema leading to the creation of a diverse content portfolio.
My doctoral research on the global entertainment industry, focusing on the intersection of gender, race, and cultural dynamics, fueled my desire to become an agent of change. In 2019, I took on a role leading real estate projects for a Canadian conglomerate and was quickly promoted to Group Managing Director, overseeing the movies and entertainment portfolio.
A pivotal moment occurred during my first conference call in this role when I was introduced to Academy Award-winning composer A.R. Rahman. This ignited my passion for the entertainment industry, and I began working across Hollywood and Bollywood, leveraging my strategic acumen and cultural fluency to create spellbinding content and visually create imagination.
Today, I continue to push boundaries, amplifying the voices of marginalized communities and providing a conducive atmosphere for the mentoring and growth of aspiring filmmakers. My unwavering belief in the power of storytelling remains the driving force behind my work, and I am committed to redefining the role of women in cinema and changing the face of the entertainment industry.
Tell us about the work of Escala Entertainment. What sets you apart?
Escala, meaning ‘Scaling Heights’ in Spanish, embodies the essence of our exceptional team. As a global woman leader, I am spearheading Escala’s entrepreneurial journey alongside Academy Award-winning and legendary stalwarts from the global film industry.
First and foremost, I am deeply honored to have forged an iron handshake partnership with His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Bin Faisal Al Qassimi, whose unwavering support and strategic vision have been instrumental in propelling Escala to new heights. His Highness’s belief in our mission and willingness to invest in our undertakings have been truly transformative.
Secondly, I am immensely grateful for the unwavering support of Ambassador Dunston, a globally respected diplomat and visionary. Despite the shifting winds of the industry, Ambassador Dunston has been a steadfast navigator, guiding the Escala “mothership” towards our desired destination. His faith in our skill set, capabilities, and above all, in me as the leader of this enterprise, has been a source of immense strength and inspiration.
It is the synergy between the Escala team’s unparalleled talent and the strategic partnership with the Royal office that has propelled us towards unprecedented success. Together, we have created a powerful alliance that transcends borders and celebrates the power of global collaboration and visionary leadership.
As we continue to forge ahead, I am humbled by the trust and confidence placed in us, and I remain committed to honoring this legacy through our pursuit of cinematic excellence and our unwavering dedication to transforming the entertainment industry. Our core values and principles guide every aspect of our work, and we believe in fostering strong relationships within our team. We navigate setbacks and celebrate successes together, maintaining a zen-like serenity even amidst the chaos of movie productions.
I am proud to share that I have already Executive produced a captivating Star Wars documentary ‘ Galaxy Built on Hope’ which was pre boarded during COVID and is a testament of the Team’s labor of love during extremely challenging times.
With our unparalleled expertise and commitment to excellence, Escala is poised to redefine the boundaries of the entertainment industry and leave an indelible mark on the world of cinema.
Escala Film Productions and Escala Entertainment Inc. are currently producing a fantasy mythological drama called “Black Angel,” an indigenous documentary titled “Turtle Island,” a Bollywood thriller, and a Punjabi comedy. Tell us about the film.
Turtle Island: The projected web series documentary, directed by Academy winner Roger Christian intends to highlight Canada’s Indigenous peoples’ long history on Turtle Island, spanning over forty-five thousand years before European colonization. It emphasizes their healthy interaction with the environment and their diverse societies and cultures. The documentary aims to foster community healing and understanding by teaching the public about Indigenous peoples’ origins and their role and contributions in molding the country’s history. Documentary is currently under pre-production.
Black Angel (Saga 1,2,3): The epic drama “The Sword of Thyrus” follows Sir Maddox, a brave knight, and Maardin, a half-human, half-God sorcerer, on a dangerous quest to recover a precious treasure bequeathed by the Gods. Maardin unleashes the Black Angel, a formidable monster, to end the darkness in a kingdom governed by a king who thirsts for power. This traditional hero’s journey features the mystical sword, a rebellious princess, and the victory of light over darkness. They were inspired by the works of Oscar winner Roger Christian, who worked on Star Wars and was an integral part of the George Lucas team.
(Bollywood Movie)13.3 horror local : Urban horror film. Directed by acclaimed Director Sanjay Khanduri of “Ek Challis Ki Aakhri Local”. Set in Morocco.
Jeeja Ji Saala Ji: “Jeeja Ji Saala Ji” is a hilarious Punjabi comedy film set in Toronto, directed by famous Punjabi movie director Smeep Kang, this is the story of Binnu, who is determined to marry his love, Mindy, despite being a divorcee and having quarreling parents. His only hope for approval from Mindy’s family is his respected brother-in-law, Aman Brar. But Aman is going through a midlife crisis and is attracted to his secretary, Preet leading to a comical sequence of events.
Galaxy Built on Hope Teaser:
What is your thought process on women in film?
As an Indian-Canadian woman empowered with a PhD in strategic management in cinema, I am deeply committed to advocating for gender equality and amplifying the voices of women in film. Despite the systemic barriers and gender biases that persist in the industry, I am inspired by the growing movement of women filmmakers who are asserting their rightful place and using cinema as a tool for social change and empowerment.
From the lack of funding and mentorship opportunities, to the entrenched “old boys’ club” mentality, the deck is often stacked against women who aspire to direct, produce, write, and shape the cinematic narratives that captivate global audiences. My vision for women in film is one of boundless creativity, equal opportunity, and unwavering solidarity. By mentoring the next generation, advocating for policy changes, and creating challenging work, I believe we can transform the industry and pave the way for a more inclusive and representative future.
As we forge ahead, I remain committed to pursuing cinematic excellence and transforming the entertainment industry. www.escalaentertainment.com
