Entertainment
journalist-turned-filmmaker Neeru Sharma has stepped into filmmaking with her
debut film Bandra Boy, which has been submitted to several national and
international film festivals in the competition category.
After
spending more than two decades in journalism and closely covering the Indian
film and television industry, Sharma has now shifted her focus to screenwriting
and direction. She completed the Direction Program at Subhash Ghai's Whistling
Woods International and is also an alumna of the institute.
Apart from direction, Sharma has been associated with screenwriting since 2015. A diploma holder in Screenwriting, she trained under veteran actor Boman Irani and acclaimed screenwriters Anjum Rajabali and Mayur Puri. The training helped her develop a deeper understanding of screenplay structure, character development and cinematic storytelling.
Her
debut directorial venture, *Bandra Boy*, is a thriller that explores the impact
of media narratives, public perception and social prejudices. The story
examines how public opinion is often formed before facts are fully known—a
theme that has gained relevance in the age of social media and instant
judgments.
The
film stars Ahvaan Kumar in the lead role, while noted Gujarati and Marathi
actor Dharmendra Gohil plays a pivotal character. The cast also includes
Whistling Woods alumnus Lochan Barsagde, theatre actor Yash Pednekar, and
television actors Pawan Tiwari and Sham Thomre.
Industry
observers note that transitions from journalism to filmmaking remain relatively
rare. Having spent years reporting on films, celebrities and the entertainment
business, Sharma now finds herself on the other side of the camera, developing
stories of her own.
According
to people associated with the project, Bandra Boy has already begun its
festival journey and is expected to be screened before international audiences
in the coming months. The film's subject, centred on perception versus reality,
reflects issues that continue to spark debate in contemporary society.
With
Bandra Boy, Sharma joins a growing list of media professionals who have moved
from reporting stories to creating them, bringing with them years of
observation and industry insight.
#neerusharma