After a successful career in New Media and Information Technology, Shailja actively pursued her passion for films - Global Marketing Manager for the Indian National award winner (2003) and internationally acclaimed film – Chokher Bali, followed by Assistant Script Supervisor for another Indian National award winner (2005) – Raincoat, starring the former Miss World Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. Drawing from her Indian roots and urban life as a young South Asian professional in New York City, Shailja wrote, directed and produced her first feature film – Walkaway, in 2009-2010.