From Life of Pi to This Tempting Madness: Actor Suraj Sharma on growth, identity and new horizons
Actor Suraj Sharma spoke about growth, identity, and new horizons on the sidelines of the world premiere of his upcoming film This Tempting Madness at IFFI 2025.
More than a decade since Ang Lee’s Life of Pi, featuring him in the titular role, opened the International Film Festival of India (IFFI), Goa, actor Suraj Sharma was at the annual event for the world premiere of his upcoming movie This Tempting Madness, an American psychological thriller. “I was lucky that my first movie was with absolute legends. They told me there are many ways to deal with this (fame and success) and cautioned me about missing normalcy in life. They also advised: ‘play it right, play it smart,’” says Sharma.
Those tips have been instrumental in how Sharma chose his life after Life of Pi, which won four Oscar awards and secured him a BAFTA nomination. The 32-year-old will be seen as Simone Ashley’s brother in This Tempting Madness. “For me, the most fun part is the collaborative energy — ideas coming and moving,” says Sharma. The film is directed by Jennifer E Montgomery, who co-wrote the screenplay with Andrew Davis.
The first time Montgomery saw Sharma on tape, she knew he would be perfect for the role. “Suraj has this incredible emotional intelligence and he is so layered in his performance. What was so amazing is he could bring this strong love to the role while having this deep undercurrent of darkness and depth, where he could access anger. He also has this great sense of humour,” says Montgomery.
Sharma, who burst onto the world of cinema at the age of 19, says that he was “able to work, move freely, access insane situations and stories.” One of the early caveats he received regarding the perils of fame was from his co-star Irrfan, who plays the older Pi. Irrfan recounted how he used to spend time at roadside tea stalls before he became famous and used to watch people. “That sat so intensely in my head,” says Sharma.
Based in Los Angeles, Suraj Sharma acted in the Indian movie, Gulmohar (2023), a film set in Delhi, after playing the lead in Wedding Season (2022), a rom-com set in New Jersey. He believes that the Indian diaspora is under-represented. However, that’s changing with shows such as Never Have I Ever and Deli Boys. “Not only does it give us an opportunity to watch our stories, but also gives us access to the many identities that we hold, inside India and outside,” he says, adding, “A part of me is here, a part of me is there. Without sounding too philosophical, I want my work to be a bridge between these two selves.”
Apart from acting, he had been working on scripts. “I’ve been writing for about a year now and building collaborations, trying to find a good team.”
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When not working on a movie or show, Sharma likes to make music, dabble in ceramics and travel. “My pottery game is getting pretty intense now. I like to travel and hike a lot. I also go on road trips when I come to India. I really want to visit the Northeast. My brother is a biker who travels to Leh-Ladakh alone. My sister and her friend travelled along the coast of India on bicycles. So, this runs in the family,” he says.
Alaka Sahani is a prominent film critic and journalist based in Mumbai. With a career spanning over two decades, she has established herself as one of India’s most authoritative voices in cinematic journalism, known for an analytical approach and insights that transcend the standard cycle of celebrity journalism.
Expertise & Accolades
In 2014, Alaka was honoured with the National Film Award for Best Film Critic. Her Swarna Kamal (Golden Lotus) citation specifically lauded her for "highlighting facets of cinema beyond glamour and gossip" and for her ability to delve into the contemporary relevance of iconic filmmakers. Her commitment to journalistic integrity was further recognised in 2019 with a Special Mention at the Red Ink Awards for her investigative feature, 'In Search of a Star'. Her article titled 'People Like Us', published in The Indian Express on March 27, 2022, was shortlisted for Red Ink Award, 2023.
Global Industry Leadership
Alaka’s expertise is sought after by major international and domestic film bodies:
Golden Globes: In 2025, she joined the international voting body for the 83rd Annual Golden Globes.
National Film Awards: She served on the prestigious jury for the 68th National Film Awards, helping select the finest contributions to Indian cinema.
Global Perspective: Her work consistently bridges the gap between commercial Bollywood A-listers and emerging independent talents, offering nuanced insights into both Indian regional cinema and international film trends.
Focus & Vision
Beyond the screen, Alaka is a dedicated observer of Mumbai’s vibrant theatre scene and the historical evolution of the moving image. Through her long-form articles and deep-dive interviews, she continues to challenge "tried-and-tested" templates, providing readers with a deep understanding of the artistic and systemic workings of the Indian and global film industry. ... Read More
