Anita Verma-Lallian, an Arizona-based real estate developer, is channeling profits from the booming artificial intelligence data center market into the entertainment industry. The 43-year-old entrepreneur is funding a film production company and is in the process of acquiring 1,500 acres for a major studio backlot west of Phoenix.
This move represents a significant pivot, leveraging the financial success of technology infrastructure to support creative projects. Her production company, Camelback Productions, is already backing several films, signaling a serious entry into Hollywood.
Key Takeaways
- Anita Verma-Lallian is using profits from AI data center land deals to invest in the film industry.
- She is planning a 1,500-acre film studio backlot in Arizona, aiming to attract productions from Southern California.
- Her company, Camelback Productions, is financing films featuring stars like Lilly Singh, Kal Penn, and Cynthia Erivo.
- Verma-Lallian uses AI not only for real estate analysis but also to evaluate scripts and business communications.
- The developer recently purchased the late Matthew Perry's former home in Pacific Palisades.
From Land Development to Motion Pictures
In a reversal of the common trend where entrepreneurs leave entertainment for technology, Anita Verma-Lallian is moving in the opposite direction. For several years, she has focused on developing land in Arizona for data centers, capitalizing on the high demand from tech companies for facilities to power their AI operations.
The financial returns from this venture have provided the capital for her new passion. "Seeing success in that [AI data] space has given us an opportunity to feed another passion, feed something a little more creative," Verma-Lallian stated in an interview.
This transition is not just a casual investment. It involves building a new entertainment ecosystem in her home state, funded by the profits of the digital age.
A Profitable Foundation
Verma-Lallian's success in real estate is substantial. Last year, she reportedly sold a 2,100-acre site for $160 million, which was four times the price she originally paid for the land. This level of return provides the financial power for her ambitious Hollywood plans.
Building a Film Hub in Arizona
A central part of Verma-Lallian's vision is a massive 1,500-acre studio backlot planned for a site west of Phoenix. The project aims to do more than just provide sound stages; it is envisioned as a comprehensive destination with retail and entertainment options.
Strategic Location and Incentives
The proposed location was chosen for its strategic advantages. Its proximity to a major freeway offers a direct route to Southern California, which she notes is about a six-hour drive. This convenience is intended to make Arizona a more attractive option for cast and crew based in Los Angeles.
Verma-Lallian believes several factors will compel producers to consider Arizona alongside established Southwest production hubs like New Mexico:
- Tax Incentives: The state has introduced new financial incentives to attract film and television production.
- Varied Climate: Arizona offers a diverse range of landscapes and weather conditions suitable for different filming needs.
- Union Laws: The state's union regulations are also seen as a potential draw for certain productions.
If completed, the backlot would be one of the largest in the United States, positioning Arizona as a significant player in the film production industry.
Camelback Productions and Diverse Storytelling
Beyond physical infrastructure, Verma-Lallian is actively investing in content through her company, Camelback Productions. The company's slate reflects a focus on telling stories from underrepresented perspectives.
Projects currently backed by the company include:
- Doin' It: A sex comedy starring content creator and actress Lilly Singh.
- Prima Facie: A film starring Cynthia Erivo, based on the successful West End and Broadway play about a criminal defense barrister.
- An untitled project featuring actor Kal Penn.
"People [in Hollywood] say, ‘You’re doing well; why are you doing this to yourself?’ But it’s a fascinating industry — something where you can actually change culture."
Verma-Lallian says she is aware of the stereotype of outside investors entering Hollywood and failing. She believes her genuine passion for film and her goal to elevate diverse voices will help her defy those expectations.
A Background in Business
Anita Verma-Lallian's career began in her father's real estate business after she graduated from the University of Southern California's MBA program in 2007. Raised in Chicago by Indian immigrant parents, she branched out on her own approximately six years ago, building a portfolio of land and attracting investment partners, including venture capitalist Chamath Palihapitiya.
Integrating AI into Entertainment
Verma-Lallian’s connection to artificial intelligence extends beyond the data centers that fund her work. She actively uses AI as a tool in both her real estate and entertainment ventures.
She has used AI models to guide decisions on which properties to acquire and to assess the commercial viability of film scripts. In one instance, she used an AI tool to interpret the nuanced language in an email from an entertainment industry figure, revealing a different meaning than she had initially understood.
This integration of technology will continue at her planned studio. The backlot is set to feature an "AI studio," though specific details on how the physical space will be optimized for the technology have not yet been released.
Personal Life and High-Profile Real Estate
Verma-Lallian recently became known to many in Los Angeles for purchasing the Pacific Palisades home that formerly belonged to the late actor Matthew Perry. She acquired the property about a year before Perry's death at the home in October 2023.
When asked about the purchase, she stated that her decision was based on the property's features, particularly its panoramic views, rather than its celebrity connection. The developer is not intimidated by large-scale projects, whether in real estate or her new venture in film, and continues to review scripts for future productions even as the industry faces a general slowdown.
