Rajesh Dutta
There is no denying the fact that people from Jammu have been excelling in Film industry since long – showcasing their talent and making us all feel proud in acknowledging that they are the real heroes and the role models for our next generation. Stands tall among those – is the name of Neeraj Sharma- who has achieved great heights in short span of his Bollywood journey. He has shifted to Mumbai four years ago to mark his creative abilities in film making and screen writing.
Neeraj Sharma is a film and television writer/ Creative Producer/ film maker. Recently, he wrote and produced a short film named “POTLY”.With this he became the first film maker from Jammu region whose film got official screening at three major international film festivals within one week only and won two major awards including Critics Choice award in Mumbai International Short Film Festival and Best film in Post-production at Indore International Film Festival. The film was also screened at Shane-e-Awadh, Lucknow International Film Festival, where it also got a huge applause.
Moreover, the film is officially nominated by the jury and will be screened at major International Film Festivals which includes Jaipur International Film Festival, Bikaner International Film Festival, Lakeview Film Festival Bhopal, Kolkata International Film Festival, Indian International Film Festival Goa and Film Festivals by Film Division of India.
This short film POTLY has also got official nomination for foreign festivals including Boston International Festival, London International, Korean Film Fest and Cardiff Film Festival, Wales, UK.
Briefing about his experience at Bollywood, Neeraj said, “Our Industry is for braves, otherwise it is a grave.” Trust me it is not easy at all, making a theatrical production sitting at your comfort zone. My parents struggled a lot to make our lives worth for what we are today. He recognizes his sisters Shefali and Roopali as his greatest strength. ”Whenever I felt crisis in Mumbai, my family despite of all odds was standing supportive besides me” he shared.
Replying to certain queries about journey to Mumbai from Jammu, he said “It just happened accidently; there were autumn breaks at KendriyaVidyalaya, where I was working as an activity teacher. I planned to visit Mumbai, met few film makers and producers, they liked my creative skills and guided me to shift at Mumbai to turn my dreams come true.”
”I came back from vacations and compiled all my work, discussed the matter with my parents and closest friends Poonam, Satyarth, Juhie and Mukesh. All supported me and finally I permanently came to Mumbai to be a film maker. Instantly, I got a low budget movie as an Assistant Director (AD).”
”After that, I got three major projects lined-up. AD in Mahadev for Life Ok, AD in ‘MahimaShanidev Ki’ for NDTV Imagine and ‘Amul Comedy KaMaha-muqabala’ for Star Plus under Big Entertainment.
Then, I joined ENDEMOL, the production house known for reality shows. I did ChhoteyMiyan-Chapter Three (Kids comedy show) for colors channel. I worked in it as a content writer and associate creative head.
With this show, I became the first content Writer in TV from Jammu, just within four months struggle at Mumbai. And then begins my journey further”.
Well, the important role model in my life at family front is my Papa and my mamma ji at Jammu. Whereas from film industry in Mumbai, my only role model is Terence lewis.He changed my life, my ideologies, my thought process. He has been an institution to me as a mentor. He has been quite supportive to me in crisis.
Hailing from a small town of Jammu region, Neeraj Sharma belongs to a lower middle class family, having the responsibility of two younger sisters. Brought up in Jammu, he did his schooling from Tiny Tots Higher Secondary School, Residency Road, Jammu upto 10th Standard. After passing 12th from SRML Higher Secondary School, Parade Ground, he shifted to Delhi for Diploma in Aviation and worked in Hospitality Industry for two years.
He again came back to Jammu and joined GGM Science College as a Non-medical student. Creativity in his genes made him to represent the college as a head representative in the cultural affairs at zonal and nationallevel competitions. He brought many laurels to the college and Jammu University in the cultural activities. After that, he joined University of Jammu as B. Library student in 2008. He remained an active theatre artist, who performed and represented JU at various regional and national theatrical and youth festivals as Student secretary. He is the only student in the history of “Display Your Talent, JU” to be awarded as overall best student three times.
Later, he did Masters in Information Science from IGNOU and ranked top in his batch. Later, he began his professional career as an English and Activity teacher at KendriyaVidyalayas in the year 2011. He wrote and directed many plays with social themes for Red Cross Society, Help Age India, Cry India…etc as a Freelance theatric in Jammu. Later, he resigned and shifted to Mumbai to mark his creative abilities in film making and screen writing. He is also part of many upcoming Bollywood Projects including the launch movie of Terence Lewis and has got associated with TLCDC (Terence Lewis Contemporary Dance Company)- for bringing and performing ”Scrambled Eggs”- a contemporary dance production by Terence all over the world and JUGNEE dance festival.
Working as a Creative Head and Content Director with A S Pictures Entertainment for Doordarshan and a free-lance content development creative for BBC Worldwide Channel, MrNeeraj is also vice-chairman of CLUB VYAKTITVA (a non-profitable trust)-under the banner of which, he has been producing short films and arranging live events for the advancement of youth like Personality Hunt Shows.
Last year- he organized the personality hunt show with assistance from other veterans of Jammu Like Capt. Anil Gour, Digvijay Singh, MushtakKak – named Vyaktitva 2014. It was dedicated to the flood victims of Jammu and Kashmir.
Neeraj Sharma expresses his inner desire to provide guidance and platform to the talented and versatile youth of Jammu as he firmly believes that Youth of Jammu are as much talented as youth of other parts of the country.
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