Anshuman Jha enters into film production with ‘Mona Darling’

Anshuman Jha, who started his career with theatre and then moved on to films, is now all set to turn a producer with the film ‘Mona Darling’. His production house is named as First Ray Films, and his first production venture is India’s first social media based whodunit thriller.

The movie is being presented by Vashu Bhagnani and he is all praises for Anshuman. The filmmaker said, “I first met him in 2007 as a 20-year-old Assistant Director to Subhash Ghai. Anshuman is one of the finest young actors in the country now & has proven his mettle in films like ‘LSD’ & ‘Bakrapur’. He is a confident-humble boy & his experience helps as he has a mature understanding of scripts & the cinema medium.”

The production house is an extension of the actor’s theatre company First Ray Theatre Group, which is famously known best for the Indian Adaptation of David Gieselmann’s ‘Mr. Kolpert’ & Girish Karnad’s ‘Bali’. One of the pillars of First Ray Films, Kailash Kulkarni says, “I have followed Anshuman’s work on stage for the past decade. He doesn’t own a house in Bombay. Drives a simple car. But has managed to get together people to form a company & produce a multi crore film. That’s a story in itself of an enterprising young man.” (Also Check: Disturbing! ‘Mona Darling’ actress Divya Menon reveals she was s**tshamed on social media)

Sanjay Suri, who will be seen in ‘Mona Darling’ and who has also worked with Jha in ‘Chauranga’ says, “He is one of the most secure actors I have met. Producing is a huge responsibility & for Anshuman to have put this together & release it within 10 months from when he began is no mean feat.”

Anshuman has three other releases in 2017, Nandita Das’ production venture ‘Pagla Ghoda’, ‘Angrezi Mein Kehte Hain’ with Sanjai Mishra, and Academy award Nominee Ashvin Kumar’s ‘Noor’.

The actor-turned-producer says, “Theatre has been my lifeline all along as an actor. Even now performing Jhumroo at Kingdom Of Dreams fulfils me. I’m chasing purpose, not riches. Excel Entertainment is the benchmark in terms of quality for First Ray Films. Our intent will be to back high concept scripts & an honest approach in making them with the best possible technical crew. ‘Mona Darling’ is the first step in that journey and I am grateful to all who have believed.”

Directed by Shashi Sudigala, the film releases on February 17, 2017.

Murtuza Iqbal

‘Eat Sleep Bollywood Repeat’ is his life Mantra. Dance is his first love and Rani Mukerji is his eternal crush. He is someone who loves being himself, and as for the ones who don’t agree, his reply? “Talk to my hand!”