Rakesh Sharma
Biography
Rakesh Sharma is a well-known Indian actor, director, and documentary filmmaker who has made significant contributions to Indian cinema across multiple disciplines.
He is widely recognized for his appearance in 3 Idiots (2009), directed by Rajkumar Hirani and starring Aamir Khan, R. Madhavan, and Mona Singh. In the film, Rakesh Sharma portrays a minister who attends the funeral of Shyamaldas, a wealthy and respected figure. Although his role is brief, it effectively conveys the presence of influential and elite figures at the funeral, aligning precisely with the director’s vision.
The scene also serves as a turning point, where the protagonists discover that the man they believed to be Shyamaldas’s son was, in fact, the son of a worker employed by him.
In Baabarr (2009), a crime thriller directed by Ashu Trikha and starring Mithun Chakraborty, Om Puri, and Sohum Shah, Sharma appears as Mehboob. The film follows the life of a man raised in a criminal environment who grows into a feared gangster. Though Sharma’s screen time is limited, his performance leaves a strong and lasting impact, adding depth to the narrative.
Rakesh Sharma was also associated with the French film The Untouchable (2006), directed by Benoît Jacquot, starring Isild Le Besco, Bérangère Bonvoisin, and Marc Barbé. The film explores the journey of an actress who uncovers the truth about her Indian heritage after learning about her father’s identity.
Beyond acting, Sharma has been deeply involved in documentary filmmaking. His critically acclaimed documentary Final Solution (2004) examines the 2002 Gujarat riots that followed the Godhra train incident on February 27, 2002, in which 58 Hindus were killed. The riots resulted in the deaths of approximately 790 Muslims and 254 Hindus, with hundreds more reported missing. The documentary presents diverse perspectives from individuals of different ages, genders, and backgrounds, offering an unfiltered account of the events and their long-term implications.
Another major work, Aftershocks: The Rough Guide to Democracy (2002), emerged unexpectedly when the filmmakers were working as relief volunteers following an earthquake. Shot near the India–Pakistan border in villages such as Umarsar and Julrai, the documentary investigates issues surrounding lignite mining and land acquisition by the Gujarat Mineral Development Corporation (GMDC), a government-controlled body holding a monopoly in the region. The film captures real-time encounters with GMDC survey teams, making it a compelling exploration of democracy, power, and displacement.
Rakesh Sharma’s experience extends beyond direction and acting. He has worked in the camera and electrical departments as a spot boy on Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, and as an assistant cameraman on Judaai (1997). He later served as an Assistant Director and Second Unit Director on Machhli Jal Ki Rani Hai (2014), further cementing his reputation in the industry.
He also contributed to Ek Alag Mausam (2003), directed by K. P. Sasi, a film centered on a woman navigating personal and medical challenges within her marriage.
Among his most notable works are the documentaries Aftershocks: The Rough Guide to Democracy (2002) and Final Solution (2004). Additionally, he has appeared in interviews for documentaries such as Our Planet Earth (1991) and Capturing Reality (2008).
With decades of experience across cinema, documentary filmmaking, and technical departments, Rakesh Sharma remains an influential figure in the film industry. His body of work continues to inspire and shape the perspectives of future generations of filmmakers.
