A Visionary Filmmaker’s Journey Across Continents
Anupam Sharma, an acclaimed Australian filmmaker of Indian origin, has garnered recognition for his pioneering efforts in establishing film links between India and Australia since 1997. Sharma’s multifaceted career encompasses roles as a film director, actor, producer, and author. The media in both Australia and India acknowledge him for his significant contributions, highlighting his influential position in the film industry. Notably, he was appointed as an Australia Day Ambassador and named one of the fifty most influential professionals in the Australian film industry by Encore Magazine.
Best known for producing Bollywood films set in Australia, including “Dil Chahta Hai” and “Heyy Babyy,” Sharma also directed the Australian feature film “unIndian,” starring Australian cricketer Brett Lee, which premiered in 2015. The film, announced by Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott in 2014, stands as a testament to Sharma’s talent in bridging cultural narratives through cinema.
Sharma’s academic background includes a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Films & Theatre, and a postgraduate thesis on Indian cinema from the University of NSW. He is the founding head of Films & Casting TEMPLE, a prolific and award-winning international production and consultancy firm based in Fox Studios, Sydney. Under his leadership, TEMPLE has executed over 264 projects across various countries, including Australia, India, Denmark, the USA, and China. These projects span feature films, television series, music videos, commercials, and film festivals.
In 2013, Sharma founded the AI Film Fund, an innovative initiative for alternative funding for diverse Australian films. His return to directing was marked by the award-nominated short documentary “Indian Aussies – Terms & Conditions Apply,” commissioned by the Australian National Maritime Museum. Following this, Destination NSW hired Sharma as the Creative Director for their high-budget TV campaign targeting the Indian market, resulting in the creation of successful TV commercials.
The romantic comedy “unIndian,” featuring Brett Lee and Tannishtha Chatterjee, further established Sharma’s reputation. The film premiered at the Montreal World Film Festival and was showcased at Antipodes at Cannes in 2016. Esteemed Australian film critic David Stratton praised it for its “engaging celebration of community.”
Sharma’s recent work includes directing the feature-length documentary “The Run,” which documents the journey of ultra-marathoner and former Parliament member Pat Farmer as he runs across India. Currently, Sharma is in pre-production for a thriller feature titled “Honour,” which addresses domestic violence and dowry death cases in Melbourne. Additionally, he is working on the documentary “Bollywood Downunder.”
In 2011, Sharma launched the Australian Film Initiative to promote Australian screen culture in non-traditional markets. This initiative led to India’s first annual Australian Film Festival, supported by Hugh Jackman, and retrospectives of Baz Luhrmann and Phillip Noyce. Sharma has also advised numerous governmental and private bodies on Indian films and served as the chief judge and advisor for SBS’s “Bollywood Star.”
With a substantial social media presence, Sharma is a respected commentator and frequent speaker at various conferences and television programs, including ABC, the NINE Network, SBS TV, SPAA, Art Gallery of NSW, and the Powerhouse Museum. Honored as an Australia Day Ambassador for seven consecutive years, Sharma remains a significant figure in the film industry, bridging the cinematic worlds of Australia and India.
