God has been really kind to me: Chitra Vakil Sharma on her career journey

Producer Chitra Vakil Sharma, known for shows like Tandoor, Raktanchal, Bhram, and Pal Pal Dil Ke Paas, reflects on her career journey, expressing gratitude for her accomplishments despite not being career-oriented initially. She thanks God for her success, which she sees as a series of achievements. Sharing her early experiences, she said, “I grew up seeing my mom as a dedicated housewife and mother, and I always thought I would be that. My dad was a doctor with the railways, and we had limited pocket money. To fill the gap, I started a part-time job at Mischief, a company owned by Suniel Shetty.”

“I worked there for the monthly pocket money. When he started ASTRO Mischief in India, I joined the team and later worked at a bowling company. My mindset was still that this was just good pocket money while I was studying,” she added. Her father eventually encouraged her to join ICICI, and she felt a sense of accomplishment with the salary she earned. However, her perspective on work shifted when she joined WnS, where she found a genuine career goal. “I was doing very well, part of a quality team in a senior position, with a green belt preparing for a black belt, and earning a lucrative salary,” she said.

Chitra described a pivotal moment in 2009 when her outlook on money changed, moving beyond pocket money. Just as she began to take her career seriously and aimed for success in the corporate world, her sister, Rohini Vakil, a prominent media lawyer, invited her to join her law firm to manage an IPR division. “I had no clue what this was, but I started leading the division while learning from her and completed a course in IPR. This marked the end of my corporate career and the beginning of my media career.”

Chitra recalls that her first major client was IMPPA, the largest association in the film industry, and proudly claims to have started copyrights and trademarks in the industry. “From 2009 to date, I've been handling IPR for the industry under Rohini Vakil's guidance. I've also expanded my IPR practice to the pharma industry,” she added.

While her professional life flourished, her personal life also saw joy with the birth of her daughter in 2010. “Life was just perfect again, but God had a plan for me. In 2019, I decided to become a producer. My first web series, Bhram, happened with ZEE5, followed by Raktanchal seasons 1 and 2, and Tandoor, one of the most talked-about series in the industry. As a producer, I've ventured into various streams. I've recently entered television and produced Pal Pal Dil Ke Paas, which is currently airing with 111 episodes,” she said.

“Starting August 5, my second TV series, Pehla Pyaar, premieres on SonyLiv, so I'll soon have two shows running. Last year, I ventured into advertising, and my production house now shoots at least one commercial per month and produces many music videos. God has been really kind. In 2019, I started TSM Productions as a sole proprietorship, and in 2024, I turned it into a Pvt. Ltd. company. Under this banner, I will soon announce my first big pan-India movie with a star-studded cast,” she added.

Chitra has always believed in going with the flow and hasn't feared taking risks. “I've never calculated the risk or doubted my success. I don't think I've ever made any wrong decisions. I am very content and confident that whatever I start, I give my 100%, and the results will follow. I don't overthink, but I am a multitasker, managing both IPR and media well,” she said. “When in doubt, I used to consult my guru, my dad. Now that he's not here, I close my eyes and think about what he would say, and then I proceed,” she concluded.