I always dreamt of becoming an actor. Coming from a small background, when I did not get an opportunity in Bollywood, I decided to move to Costa Rica to finish my studies and do something, which no other Indian had ever done”, reminisces Prabhakar Sharan, apopular Latin movie star.
Sharan (37) did his early schooling from Bhurkunda Central School, Jharkhand and later went to St. Xavier’s School, Hazaribagh. Born in Bihar, he moved to Costa Rica to complete his education but landed up being the hero of the film ‘Enredados La Confusion’ (Entangle the Confusion). Sharan went to Costa Rica in the year 2000 with an objective to create a dignified name for his country. Finishing his studies, he started working with the cultural department in Costa Rica and the Embassies in the region.
The first Indian to take Hindi movies to Central American countries in the year 2005, he also organised many cultural activities and Hindi film premiers throughout Central America to boost Indian culture. He even started his education business in 2010 and became a partner and board member at the University where he studied from.
After many ventures in sports and entertainment like WWE and monster jam, Sharan planned to make the first Bollywood style Latin American movie ‘Enredados La Confusion’. “In Costa Rica, I leaned Spanish and decided to start my career in acting which made me the first Indian to act in a Spanish feature film”, recalls Sharan. He plays the role of a rowdy protagonist named Leo who while being involved in a robbery meets the love of his life. Finally realizing that money cannot buy peace, he decides to change his life for good. An entertaining movie for the entire family, it takes the audience on a roller coaster ride. Complete with the Bollywood masala recipe of songs and dances, the movie has been shot in many places including India, Costa Rica and Panama. He directed, acted and also became the first Indian to work in a Bollywood style Latin American movie in Spanish.
“As it was something new for the Latin public, the audience appreciated it so much that it’s the second most popular movie and the first ever action movie to be made on this scale in that industry”, said Sharan. With Prabhakar directing and also playing the male lead, the movie has been co- produced by Teresa Rodriguez Cerdas. WWE world champion Scott Steiner, world famous comedian Mario Chacon and the celebrated Latin actress Nancy Dobles are also part of the movie. The film has been appreciated by the Indian Embassies in Panama, Salvador, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Peru and USA. The Indian Ambassadors of the respective countries have supported the movie, which is now set to release in India in two languages Hindi and Bhojpuri.
“Enredados La Confusion” has won the award for the best action film in Los Angeles Film Awards, USA and the best feature film at the Five Continents International Film Festival, Venezuela. Accorded as the best actor, the film was also awarded as the Best Foreign Film in the Jharkhand Film Festival 2018. He was also awarded as the Best Debut Director at the Delhi International film festival, the Dehradun Film Festival and most recently at the Virgin Spring Cinefest, Kolkata. The film has also been screened at various film festivals across the globe.
Sharan has been recognized for his outstanding contribution to the Indian community and was acknowledged by the Mayor of California USA in 2016. He also received the Humanitarian award by Vick Dhillion- ex Member of Parliament in Canada, for his significant role in promoting Indian culture and cinema in Latin America.
He has been accredited by the Global Education Group which is a foundation affiliated to the USA and the Government of Costa Rica as the Best Asian to work with free education for children. A member of the Indo Latin Forum and vice president of the Indo Latin Chamber of Commerce, New Delhi, Sharan was also in the Judges Panel of Miss India World which has been taking place in the USA for the last 38 years.
His name has been recommended for the Pravasi Bharatiya Award 2019, by the Indian Ambassador Panama Ravi Thapar to the Ministry of External Affairs. He has also been elected as the treasurer for the World Kabaddi Organisation to promote the game in Latin America.
Sharan is not just involved in making movies but is also on a mission to stop human trafficking. While working with the Latin American countries to reduce human trafficking, he is also working on a project to present the idea as a feature film titled ‘Borders without Life’.
“Like everyone in India, I grew up watching Bollywood movies and always wanted to be an actor. My parents have always told me that if I am dedicated and true to myself, success will follow. They have taught me that everyone is the same in the eyes of God and we just have to work hard to achieve what we want in life”, said Sharan. Son of retired bank employees Prabhunath Sharan and Subhadra Prasad, he feels his parents are his biggest supporters and critics.
