In 2017, Garima Arora embarked on a visionary journey by founding a women-centric film production house that has since become a resounding success. Her entrepreneurial spirit and passion for creative storytelling have been the driving forces behind this venture.
Under her guidance, this production house has not only produced exceptional ad films but has also become a symbol of empowerment and inspiration for women in the industry and beyond.
Marking the occasion of International Women’s Day, Medianews4u.com caught up with Garima Arora, Founder and Executive Producer Entourage Films.
Q. In an industry traditionally dominated by male-led production houses, the rise of women-led creative enterprises signals a shift in storytelling and leadership. What trends can we expect in this regard in 2026?
There is an amazing shift taking place. Let’s not overlook that it also has a lot to do with male agency owners and clients who are actively asking for women directors and producers today and extending their trust.
The more women on a set, the better. I believe this is what we should expect in 2026 — sets filled with women working together. It’s only getting better, and we hope to see many more female-led production houses emerging soon.
Q. In the early days of Entourage, did you have to face skepticism?
I had full faith in myself and the world I wanted to create. Nothing affected me much because I was deeply focused and excited about the new venture.
Q. In building Entourage’s USP around nurturing young, talented crews and championing emerging voices, what has been the biggest challenge?
A major challenge is that young people often don’t have faith in themselves. That is something even I struggled with until Prahlad Kakkar told me I had something special.
Young people are capable of far more than they realise, and they can achieve much more if they truly believe in themselves.
Q. What have been the key learnings in growing Entourage?
You need to keep raising your game — every year, every project.
Have patience. If a project goes away, accept that it wasn’t meant for you, but continue giving your 100% at every opportunity. Patience is key.
Believe in yourself and in the team you build. The team is the foundation of growth. Entourage exists because of the amazing people who are part of it.
Q. What advice would you give female entrepreneurs in the media and entertainment industry? How should they approach work-life balance?
Women are capable of achieving all kinds of balance. They can multitask like nobody else. Women should have faith in themselves and follow both their heart and their mind together.
Q. Prahlad Kakkar served as your mentor. How did that shape your journey?
Prahlad Kakkar was not only a mentor to me — he believed in me when no one else did. That belief didn’t just shape my journey; it made me who I am today. The reason I exist in this beautiful advertising world is because of Prahlad Kakkar.
Q. Does the media and entertainment industry need structured mentorship programmes?
The media and entertainment industry has functioned for decades on “learning on the job.” It is difficult to explain the sheer magnitude of the organised chaos that exists on a set. Working on a project from pre-production to shoot to post-production is the most comprehensive learning experience one can have.
One must dive into every opportunity that comes their way. While it helps to have someone believe in and guide you, mentorship can come from many sources. The best learning happens when you are physically present on a set.
Q. How are women, after stepping into decision-making roles, redefining the business of filmmaking with inclusivity and fresh perspectives?
Women having decision-making power is a significant change we are witnessing after many years. With this responsibility comes deeper involvement, allowing them to bring out their best.
We now have the opportunity to work within a women-led community, and women are excited to explore diverse roles across departments. Being actively present in these roles also enables better decision-making. This has been an important and positive shift.
Q. Can technology allow for a better level playing field, equal opportunity, and inclusivity?
Any technology, when used the right way, can help us grow. We should always stay aware of what’s coming next and find ways to integrate it into our filmmaking processes.
Q. How is Entourage leveraging AI for quicker and more efficient turnaround of work?
AI represents a major technological shift that we must adapt to in order to enhance our films.
We are incorporating AI as the industry evolves, while ensuring that respect for human individuality, creativity, and ideas remains at the core of what we do.
Q. What work is Entourage doing with clients for Women’s Day?
We are releasing the first episode of our podcast, ‘Catch Up With Crew’, on Women’s Day.
The episode features five female directors in a roundtable conversation, where they share their experiences and journeys while answering questions, engaging in banter, and having fun together.
