Suraj Sharma made his debut in the film industry with Ang Lee’s Life of Pi.
New Delhi:
He may have started his cinematicjourney as an actor but Suraj Sharma says he is keen to followhis Life of Pi helmer Ang Lee into filmmaking.
Suraj was 17 when he was selected by Lee out of 3000hopefuls to play Pi, a young Indian boy lost in the ocean formonths with a Bengal tiger.
He turned 20 yesterday and with the experience of makingthe mega movie behind him, Suraj says he feels old.
"Life has changed completely after Life of Pi. I havechanged completely as a person. I have become older and moreaware about the world," Suraj told PTI after attending aspecial screening of the movie, which was organised by TaipeiEconomic and Cultural Centre in India (TECC) to celebrate itsOscar success.
"Finally, I have a vague ambition of filmmaking. It'sreally interesting to see how things are going. It's a newkind of beginning in many ways with many Bollywood andHollywood projects in my hands. I am yet to put my signatureson them," Suraj said.
The screening, incidentally, took place on his 20thbirthday and Suraj says he cannot think of any other giftrather than a "special screening of his film".
"The film is very close to my heart. It gave me arecognition worldwide. It helped me to realise my own dreams.I have never thought I will get such a start in my career.There is nothing better than that when your hard work pays offat the end," he said.
The first year Philosophy student at St Stephen's, Surajrecalled his memories of being a part of grand Oscars nightin Hollywood where Life of Pi won four trophies, including the BestDirector statuette for Lee.
"I was screaming from the back with every win for ourfilm. It was a great night. But the one, I really wanted towin is the Best director for Ang. When the Best directorcategory was getting announced, everyone was numb and nervous.It took some seconds to sink in the fact that Ang really gotthe award. He deserved it and I was really happy," he said.
Suraj considers Lee his mentor but says it would bereally difficult to explain the enigmatic filmmaker, who hasbeen behind genre-defying classics like Crouching Tiger,Hidden Dragon, Hulk, Sense and Sensibility and BrokebackMountain.
"Ang Lee is very hard to explain. He knows what he wants.He is focused, detailed and calm. When you see him work. youreally feel like doing work. He is a proper leader and idol.For all of us on the set, he was the guiding light. It was ahard journey for the crew, but he took us the way in it ishighly commendable," he said.
The actor, who was previously restrained from his collegeto write his exams but was allowed later, said he is nowmaintaining a balance between his studies and career.
"I am managing both of them. My college is quite proud ofme. I am managing my studies also because first yearPhilosophy is not the hardest thing on earth. I want to makefilms eventually," said.
Suraj was 17 when he was selected by Lee out of 3000hopefuls to play Pi, a young Indian boy lost in the ocean formonths with a Bengal tiger.
He turned 20 yesterday and with the experience of makingthe mega movie behind him, Suraj says he feels old.
"Life has changed completely after Life of Pi. I havechanged completely as a person. I have become older and moreaware about the world," Suraj told PTI after attending aspecial screening of the movie, which was organised by TaipeiEconomic and Cultural Centre in India (TECC) to celebrate itsOscar success.
"Finally, I have a vague ambition of filmmaking. It'sreally interesting to see how things are going. It's a newkind of beginning in many ways with many Bollywood andHollywood projects in my hands. I am yet to put my signatureson them," Suraj said.
The screening, incidentally, took place on his 20thbirthday and Suraj says he cannot think of any other giftrather than a "special screening of his film".
"The film is very close to my heart. It gave me arecognition worldwide. It helped me to realise my own dreams.I have never thought I will get such a start in my career.There is nothing better than that when your hard work pays offat the end," he said.
The first year Philosophy student at St Stephen's, Surajrecalled his memories of being a part of grand Oscars nightin Hollywood where Life of Pi won four trophies, including the BestDirector statuette for Lee.
"I was screaming from the back with every win for ourfilm. It was a great night. But the one, I really wanted towin is the Best director for Ang. When the Best directorcategory was getting announced, everyone was numb and nervous.It took some seconds to sink in the fact that Ang really gotthe award. He deserved it and I was really happy," he said.
Suraj considers Lee his mentor but says it would bereally difficult to explain the enigmatic filmmaker, who hasbeen behind genre-defying classics like Crouching Tiger,Hidden Dragon, Hulk, Sense and Sensibility and BrokebackMountain.
"Ang Lee is very hard to explain. He knows what he wants.He is focused, detailed and calm. When you see him work. youreally feel like doing work. He is a proper leader and idol.For all of us on the set, he was the guiding light. It was ahard journey for the crew, but he took us the way in it ishighly commendable," he said.
The actor, who was previously restrained from his collegeto write his exams but was allowed later, said he is nowmaintaining a balance between his studies and career.
"I am managing both of them. My college is quite proud ofme. I am managing my studies also because first yearPhilosophy is not the hardest thing on earth. I want to makefilms eventually," said.
