Camelback Productions, a film production and investment company based in Arizona, has appointed actor and filmmaker Kumail Nanjiani and technology executive Lata Krishnan to its board. Rohan Shah has also been named President of the Board as the company advances its mission to reshape film financing by integrating expertise from Silicon Valley and Hollywood.
A South Asian-Led Board Driving Industry Change
Founded by Anita Verma-Lallian, Camelback Productions stands out by forming what is considered the first all-South Asian board for a theatrical film production company in Hollywood. This strategic move aims to broaden decision-making representation beyond on-screen diversity.
Anita Verma-Lallian emphasized,
“This isn’t about representation on screen, it’s about who sits at the table where decisions are made. We’re bringing a new model of film financing that draws on expertise from industries that have historically operated far outside Hollywood’s traditional structures.”
Anita Verma-Lallian, Founder
Leadership with a Blend of Film and Technology Expertise
Rohan Shah, Camelback’s new board President, brings a strong background in technology and business, currently serving as Co-Founder and Chief Revenue Officer of Extend, a technology-first insurance and payments platform valued at $1.6 billion. A Stanford graduate and Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree, Shah has also worked with Fortune 500 companies through BCG Digital Ventures and participates on the American India Foundation’s West Coast Board.
Shah commented on the evolving entertainment landscape, stating,
“Tech founders have spent the last decades rethinking how consumers discover, pay for, and experience products. Entertainment is undergoing that same transformation, and the investors who understand platform economics and direct-to-consumer relationships are uniquely positioned to identify where this industry is headed before the traditional players do.”
Rohan Shah, President of Camelback Board
Lata Krishnan, joining the board alongside Nanjiani, brings an extensive financial and nonprofit background. She served as CFO of Smart Global Holdings through its IPO, spent ten years on the Silicon Valley Bank board, and is currently on the Stanford Healthcare Board. Additionally, as Founder and Co-Chair of the American India Foundation, Krishnan plays a leadership role in one of the U.S.’s largest nonprofits focused on India. Through the Krishnan-Shah Family Office, she actively invests in technology, medical devices, energy, real estate, and social impact.
Camelback’s Ongoing Projects and Industry Ambitions
Camelback Productions, dedicated to elevating underrepresented voices, includes partners Smita Mehta, MD, Jennifer Verma, and board member Supriya Rao. The company’s recent slate reflects its commitment to diverse storytelling and innovative filmmaking.
Currently, the company is negotiating distribution for two projects championed by Shah: Runner, directed by Scott Waugh and starring Alan Ritchson and Owen Wilson, and Bear Country, directed by Derrick Borte featuring Russell Crowe. Camelback’s debut film, Doin’ It, premiered at the 2024 SXSW Film Festival and was theatrically released last September.
Looking forward to 2026, Camelback plans to release Patel, a reimagining of Macbeth led by Kal Penn, along with Prima Facie, a drama starring Academy Award nominee Cynthia Erivo.
Kumail Nanjiani’s Expanding Role in Film and Television
Kumail Nanjiani joins the board amid an active period in his career. Recently nominated for a Golden Globe for his Hulu stand-up special Night Thoughts, Nanjiani also premiered the film See You When I See You at Sundance, directed by Jay Duplass. His recent appearances include the Prime Video series Fallout, and he is attached to upcoming projects such as TriStar’s The Breadwinner, Neon’s The Wrong Girls, and the Prime Video series Sex Criminals.
