Shankar Marathe - Mumbai, 28th June, 2026 : After spending more than two decades reporting on Bollywood and television, senior entertainment journalist Neeru Sharma has stepped behind the camera with her first short film, Bandra Boy, marking a significant transition from journalism to filmmaking.
Sharma, who has worked with leading media organisations including Aaj Tak, News24, E24 and Sahara India, has spent years covering the entertainment industry, interviewing actors, reporting on film releases and closely observing the changing dynamics of Bollywood. Now, she is bringing those experiences into storytelling through cinema.
Before making her directorial debut, Sharma pursued formal training in filmmaking and completed a Direction Course at the prestigious Whistling Woods International in Mumbai. During her journey as a writer, she also received encouragement and guidance from veteran actor and mentor Boman Irani, which helped strengthen her confidence in pursuing creative storytelling.
Bandra Boy is a 21-minute thriller that has been written, produced and directed by Sharma herself. The short film explores how media narratives, public perception and social biases can influence public opinion long before facts emerge. Set against the backdrop of celebrity culture and intense public scrutiny, the story examines the thin line between perception and reality.
Speaking about the film, Sharma said her years in journalism exposed her to numerous situations where assumptions often became accepted truths before the complete picture was known.
"As a journalist, I have seen how quickly perceptions are formed and how easily they can become accepted truths. Bandra Boy explores that space through storytelling," she said.
Industry observers note that the move from journalism to filmmaking remains relatively uncommon, making Sharma's transition noteworthy. Her experience of covering entertainment news for over 20 years has given her a unique perspective on the relationship between media coverage, public discourse and celebrity culture.
The short film is currently being prepared for screenings at national and international film festivals. More than a thriller, Bandra Boy raises questions about society's growing tendency to form opinions based on headlines, speculation and viral conversations.
For Sharma, who spent years reporting stories from the sidelines, Bandra Boy represents the beginning of a new chapter—one in which she is creating stories of her own.
