Anita Verma-Lallian’s Camelback Productions Marks Its Debut with 'Doin’ It in New York'

The buzz in New York last night was unmistakable. Guests gathered at a lively cocktail soirée to celebrate the debut film Doin’ It from Camelback Productions, founded by Anita Verma-Lallian — a woman already well-known for her stellar career in luxury real estate, now boldly stepping into the world of cinema.

The evening was co-hosted by Lilly Singh, who brought her trademark energy, and supported by 1497, a platform championing South Asian filmmakers. The guest list read like a roll call of trailblazers and cultural icons: Kal Penn, Ishaan Khatter, Poorna Jagannathan, Zarna Garg, Vidya Gopalan, Rohini Iyer, Jay Sean with his wife Thara Natalie, Farhana Abodi, Marijke, and Kripa Joshi.

One of the most memorable moments came when comedian Zarna Garg raised a glass to Anita, saluting her courage in backing South Asian voices in film. Anita, visibly moved, shared her vision for Camelback Productions and teased two upcoming projects — one of them Kal Penn’s daring reimagining of Shakespeare.

“Making independent films is not easy,” Anita told the crowd, “it is risky and scary. You are operating in a world that does not operate like other industries do. Figuring it out is quite fun! We are excited to do more. We have a lot more we are working on and to share with you all.”

Lilly Singh followed with her own impassioned words: “Making movies is freaking hard. The majority of these execs don’t want these stories told, so the importance of you going to the theatre and buying a ticket is so important. So please, Doin’ It comes out 19 September. It would mean so much so we can make more films like this one.”

For Anita, the night wasn’t just about a film premiere. It was about carving a space for South Asian stories to flourish on the global stage. Camelback Productions, the first female-led production company in Arizona, has made its entrance with a statement: authentic storytelling has the power to shift culture.

Doin’ It arrives in cinemas on 19 September — a date many will be circling with anticipation.