More than a decade after his cinematic debut opened the International Film Festival of India (IFFI), actor Suraj Sharma returned to the festival's 2025 edition in Goa for a significant milestone. The occasion was the world premiere of his upcoming American psychological thriller, This Tempting Madness, marking a full-circle moment for the actor who first captivated audiences worldwide in Ang Lee's Oscar-winning masterpiece.
From Pi's Survival to a New Kind of Madness
Sharma, now 32, shot to global fame at the age of 19 as the lead in Life of Pi, a film that won four Academy Awards and earned him a BAFTA nomination. Reflecting on that whirlwind start, he shared the invaluable advice he received from the "absolute legends" he worked with. "They told me there are many ways to deal with this (fame and success) and cautioned me about missing normalcy in life," Sharma recounted on the sidelines of IFFI 2025. Their guiding principle for him was simple yet profound: 'play it right, play it smart.'
That wisdom has clearly shaped his choices. In This Tempting Madness, Sharma plays the brother of actress Simone Ashley in a film directed by Jennifer E Montgomery. The director knew immediately upon seeing his audition tape that he was perfect for the role. "Suraj has this incredible emotional intelligence and he is so layered in his performance," Montgomery praised. She highlighted his unique ability to blend "strong love" for his character with a "deep undercurrent of darkness and depth," alongside a great sense of humour.
Navigating Fame and Forging Identity
One of the most poignant early lessons about fame came from his late co-star, Irrfan Khan, who played the adult Pi. Sharma vividly recalls Irrfan describing his pre-fame days of observing life from roadside tea stalls. "That sat so intensely in my head," Sharma said, underscoring the importance of staying grounded.
Based in Los Angeles but deeply connected to his roots, Sharma's career reflects a conscious bridging of worlds. After leading the New Jersey-set rom-com Wedding Season (2022), he returned to an Indian narrative with the Delhi-based family drama Gulmohar (2023). He is a vocal advocate for better representation of the Indian diaspora, pointing to shows like Never Have I Ever and Deli Boys as positive change. "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 explained.
This duality is personal for him. "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," Sharma stated, outlining a clear vision for his artistic journey.
New Horizons: Writing, Pottery, and the Open Road
Sharma's creative pursuits are expanding beyond acting. He has been diligently writing scripts for about a year, building collaborations and assembling a team for future projects. When he steps away from film sets, he immerses himself in other passions.
"My pottery game is getting pretty intense now," he revealed with a laugh. An avid traveller and hiker, he also embraces long road trips during his visits to India, expressing a strong desire to explore the Northeast. Adventure, it seems, is a family trait. "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 shared.
From the young survivor on a lifeboat to a nuanced actor navigating complex roles and identities, Suraj Sharma's journey continues to be one of thoughtful growth and exciting new horizons, both on and off the screen.
