In Conversation With Anjula Acharia: The Entrepreneur Disrupting South Asian Representation Globally

Resilient, dynamic, and adaptive, Anjula Acharia has long been celebrated as a force in the ever-shifting entertainment landscape. With an instinctive ability to spot and shape trends, she has emerged as a true disruptor of South Asian representation. Among her most defining achievements was orchestrating Priyanka Chopra Jonas’ crossover to Hollywood, reimagining her as a global icon.

Born in Buckinghamshire to Punjabi parents, Acharia’s own quest for visibility and identity ignited her passion to create change. In 2006, she co-founded Desi Hits, a pioneering content and entertainment platform that bridged South Asian talent with the Western mainstream, setting the stage for a new cultural narrative.

Today, as CEO of A-Series Investments, she channels her vision into venture capitalism, backing women-led and minority-driven start-ups while continuing to champion conversations around race, representation, and entrepreneurship.

Yet Acharia’s influence extends beyond boardrooms. A modern tastemaker, she effortlessly balances couture with prêt, pairing runway glamour with an accessible sensibility. Her style mirrors her life, global escapes, meaningful indulgences, and a refined eye that proves power and polish can coexist.

Robb Report India (RRI): What is the first thing you do when you wake up in the morning?

Anjula Acharia (AA): Look at my phone (sadly) and make chai.

RRI: What is the most recent thing you have done for the first time?

AA: Pulled a 65-pound (approximately 30 kilogrammes) weight at the gym!

RRI: What does success smell like to you?

AA: Freedom.

RRI: What is your secret weapon in negotiations?

AA: I don’t really have one, but I want everyone to feel like they got the best deal, so the venture or deal is set up for success.

RRI: What is that one business advice you’re glad you never took?

AA: To keep going no matter what. Knowing when to give up or pivot is essential.

RRI: What’s the book that shaped your hustle?

AA: I’d say it’s a documentary: The Defiant Ones, the HBO documentary on Jimmy lovine and Dr Dre.

RRI: What was your first big splurge?

AA: A Tiffany necklace.

RRI: What apps do you use the most on your phone?

AA: Spotify, ChatGPT, WhatsApp.

RRI: Who do you regard as your mentor, the one who shaped you into the person you are today?

AA: Jimmy lovine really shaped the way I see the world of entertainment and culture, and the way I approach deals. (No desperation!)

RRI: Mentor you still call today?

AA: I actually don’t have one. I do consider Indra Nooyi a mentor, but she’s also like family at this point. I’d love to find a mentor for this next stage of my journey.

RRI: What is your guilty pleasure?

AA: I’m a chocoholic.

RRI: Which is your favourite destination for a holiday?

AA: It’s hard to pick one place, but my latest travels to Rajasthan were absolutely magical.

RRI: Which is the most expensive thing in your wardrobe?

AA: Falguni Shane Peacock lehenga.

RRI: What’s the deal-breaker for you in business?

AA: Insincere people. I don’t care how great the business is. If you can’t trust the people, it’s not worth it.

RRI: Which is the one risk you took that paid off?

AA: Betting I could break a Bollywood star in America!

RRI: Next big dream?

AA: To do something significant that helps children.

RRI: If you could learn a new skill, what would it be?

AA: I’d love to be able to sing or speak Italian.

RRI: Who’s on speed dial when life goes south?

AA: My fiancé Furhan: he’s a firefighter, and he always knows how to tackle a crisis.

RRI: What was your last streaming binge?

AA: Dept Q on Netflix.

RRI: A watch or a bracelet?

AA: Bracelet.

RRI: What’s your favourite hotel?

AA: That’s really hard, but probably the Oberoi Udaivilas in Udaipur or the Royal Mansour Marrakech.

RRI: A thing from the past you could get back in fashion?

AA: Leg warmers