Driving Strategic Communications for Gaming and Emerging Technologies in India
Sharmilee Daru is a leading communications strategist and a pioneering architect of India’s gaming and emerging tech PR ecosystem. As Founder of 4WD (Forward) Tech PR, the country’s first specialised consultancy for gaming, AI, and Web3, she champions strategic storytelling to drive impactful communications. Widely recognised for bringing gaming into the mainstream as a serious, scalable business, Sharmilee has played a key role in shaping the perception and growth of emerging technology sectors in India.
With over two decades of experience, Sharmilee brings a deep track record of building brands through focused strategy, credibility, and long-term vision. Her work is defined by a strong emphasis on crafting credible narratives in complex and rapidly evolving markets.
Her career spans senior leadership roles across both corporate and startup ecosystems. She has advised some of India’s largest organisations, including Reliance Industries Limited and Hindustan Unilever Limited, as well as high-growth gaming and technology startups. Known for aligning business objectives with communication strategy, Sharmilee has consistently helped organisations strengthen reputation, visibility, and narrative coherence across sectors.
Her association with Nazara Technologies Limited marked a defining chapter in Indian gaming communications. After establishing the corporate communications function in 2016, she guided the company through its reputation-building journey and public listing, helping position Nazara as India’s only listed gaming company at the time. In parallel, she played a pivotal role in shaping a credible, market-facing narrative for the broader gaming sector.
Widely credited as an ecosystem builder and narrative shaper for gaming and emerging technologies in India, Sharmilee has been instrumental in influencing industry discourse and perception among startups, investors, policymakers, and global stakeholders.
An alumna of St Xavier’s College, Mumbai, and a postgraduate from the Xavier’s Institute of Communications, Mumbai, Sharmilee continues to lead narrative frameworks across the emerging tech landscape. She remains committed to driving growth and contributing to India’s global story through strategic communication and insight-led, impactful narratives.
