December 2012, Ang Lee will introduce the world to Suraj Sharma, the teenaged Indian actor he chose to portray Pi Patel, son of a zookeeper, who survives a harrowing experience having been adrift at sea for seven and a half months with a Bengal Tiger named Richard Parker as his only companion.
Pi’s journey is being described as a magical fantasy adventure. However, the character Pi, played by Suraj Sharma as a young boy, may describe it somewhat differently on being interviewed as the adult Pi (played by Irraf Kahn), by a reporter (played by Tobey Maguire). Was it a wonderful whimsical journey he survived because of his wits and determination OR a life-changing exploration resulting in spiritual growth and maturity and an appreciation for a loving God in who we should all believe?
When one hears the name “Ang Lee”, the movie “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” almost immediately comes to mind. But most people know that Ang Lee is an award-winning contemporary filmmaker who has garnered international recognition, with an impressive filmography resume. Ang Lee is a Taiwanese-American director, producer, writer and more, with over 60 film titles to his credit; which is the reason why there is a flurry of buzz and excitement about the new fantasy film he is directing, “Life of Pi”.
Ang Lee’s film project, “Life of Pi”, the movie, is based on a best selling novel by the same name. The Man Booker Prize is acknowledged as the world's most important literary award. Each year, it endorses the finest in fiction by rewarding the very best book. The winner of the Man Booker Prize 2002 was Yann Martel’s “Life of Pi”.
The story-line is simple:
- Pi Patel (FULL NAME: Piscine Molitor Patel, an Indian boy named after a swimming pool in Paris), a teenaged Indian boy, the son of a zookeeper, survives a shipwreck several days with only a dangerous Bengal tiger for a companion.
Well perhaps the part about the tiger makes it a little less simple. Conveniently, Pi happens to possess a comprehensive detailed knowledge of animal behavior and an ardent love of stories, which are all the life skills he needs to survive 227 days at sea with a 450-pound Bengal Tiger named Richard Parker.
With this fantasy adventure, Canadian author Yann Martel proved his worth as a master story teller; and Ang Lee has decided to capture this vivid and thought-provoking tale on film.
· For Ang Lee to take notice is extremely high praise for anyone’s written work. Yann Martel is no doubt humbled, honored and ecstatic that the brilliant Ang Lee will finally bring his novel to the screen.
· For Ang Lee to cast you – an unknown, a newcomer - to play the leading part in his film adaptation of an award-winning novel – is surely a dream come true for any aspiring actor. Particularly an actor, with no acting experience.
For 17-year old Suraj Sharma, Indian actor and student from New Delhi, who beat out more than 3,000 challengers, the dream has come true.
After a worldwide casting search for the “perfect Pi”, Suraj Sharma was selected to play the role of the teenaged Pi, the zookeeper’s son. How did he do it? How did Suraj Sharma manage to catch the eye of Ang Lee. According to Mr. Lee, it was his eyes . Mr. Lee was quoted as having said:
"Suraj is Pi. During his audition, he filled the room with emotion, much of which he conveyed simply through his eyes." [1]
Lee described Sharma as having a natural talent and an ability to convey emotion just through his eyes .
So what else is there to know about this unknown Suraj Sharma who is about to burst onto the screen with these wonderfully expressive eyes that have, as Mr. Lee puts it, “the innocence to capture our attention, the depth of character to break our hearts”. [2]
As with most unknowns, digging up information about Suraj Sharma was an exhaustive treasure hunt. But I found a few gems to share about him.
· The name “Suraj” is Hindi meaning “sun”. The Indian name “Sharma” is regarded as a prestigious family name. In Sanskrit, it can mean "bliss", "happiness", "shelter", "joy" and "protection".
· Suraj Sharma’s parents are both mathematicians in Delhi.
· Before being chosen to play the lead role in “Life of Pi”, he was just your average teenager, a Class XII humanities student of Sardar Patel Vidyalaya, who enjoyed playing practical jokes.
· He dumped his first girlfriend (according to his girlfriend) after making all kinds of promises to include her in his rise to stardom, fame and fortune.
· For the audition Suraj Sharma read out the ‘Survival Manual’ from Chapter 58 of the book. A little background info: In Chapter 58 of the novel by Yann Martel, the Manual is included with the lifeboat supplies. Even though Pi is beginning to despair because it appears his situation is hopeless, he nevertheless determines that practical advice contained in the book is what he will need to keep himself alive. Ergo, to survive, he must read it. [3]
And read it, he did! Not just with his lips but with his eyes, winning the approval of Ang Lee and his casting crew.
· Suraj is very photogenic. Pi had to be a teenaged boy of “medium complexion”, a “fairly well-developed physique”, say between 5’6” and 6’ tall. He can not only act the part of Pi, but he looks the part as well. No doubt his performance will be memorable.
· When the news broke about Ang Lee’s selection of Suraj Sharma for the leading role in “Life of Pi”, it was reported by the BBC, Washington Times, The Times of India, Bollywood Hungama News Network, TamilWire Forum, and the EuroInvestor (U.K.), to name just a few of the publications.
· When the world is finally introduced to Suraj Sharma, he will be in the company of veteran actors Gerard Depardieu (the Frenchman-Chef), Adil Hussain (Pi’s father), Irrfan Khan (the elderly or adult Pi) and Tabu (Pi’s mother). In addition, Tobey Maguire (of Spider-Man fame) will play a small role as a journalist who interviews the adult Pi (Irrfan Khan) about his experience.
· As Suraj Sharama is an up-and-coming celebrity, IGN Stars intends to begin gathering the latest news, pictures, interviews, biography notes, forum discussions, etc. Once he has developed a fan base, you should be able to find a collection of Suraj Sharma tidbits at IGN: Suraj Sharma Biography. The Washington Times will also likely track Suraj Sharma's celebrity status. The link below is to a Times article published October 2010.
- Ang Lee to shoot 'Life of Pi' in Taiwan and India ~ TAIPEI, TAIWAN (AP) - Oscar-winning director Ang Lee said he is counting on the innocent looks and storytelling ability of an Indian boy to assure the success of Yann Martel's "Life of Pi,"... - 14 months ago
· Ang Lee began shooting the film in Pondicherry, India, at the century-old Holy Rosary Church in Muthialpet. Additional sequences were/are at various other locations in the union territory. Additional scenes will be shot at locations off Taiwan and Thailand. Not much can be said because the entire cast and crew were legally obligated to sign a confidentiality clause which forbids them from discussing or imparting in any way, any details about the film.
According to the media reports as of Thursday, June 9, 2011, the movie, “Life of Pi”, is set for a late-2012 release; so says Ang Lee.
Suraj Sharma is ready to make his film debut in “Life of Pi”, which is scheduled for release in 3D on December 21, 2012.
I don't know about everyone else, but I can't wait to see those eyes.
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NOTES:
- [1] Ang Lee Casts Unknown in Life of Pi 3-D Film Suraj Sharma will star in Life of Pi for director Ang Lee. Movie Reviews, Film Trailers, Photos, News, Celebrity Interviews - About Hollywood Movies
- [2] AFP: Indian unknown, 17, cast as lead in Life of Pi film Google News. 16 June 2011.
- [3] Life of Pi Study Guide - Yann Martel - eNotes.com Life of Pi study guide with summary, notes, essays, quotes, analysis and pictures. ENotes - Literature Study Guides, Lesson Plans, and More.
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PRIMARY SOURCES:
- BBC News - Unknown actor chosen for Life of Pi film Oscar-winning director Ang Lee casts an unknown actor from India to star in his latest movie, an adaption of the novel Life of Pi.
- 'Life of Pi' boy loves playing the fool - Times Of India NEW DELHI: Seventeen-year-old Suraj Sharma has reason to smile. The Class XII humanities student of Sardar Patel Vidyalaya, who was till August just a regular teenager with a penchant for practical
- Suraj Sharma To Play Lead In Ang Lees Life Of Pi - Tamil Cinema News Suraj Sharma, a previously unknown teenager has been selected by director, Ang Lee to play the lead role of the upcoming movie Life of Pi.
- Ang Lee Discovers Pi: Oscar-Winning Director Casts Newcomer Suraj Sharma as Beloved Tales Young Hero Where do you want to invest today?
- Ang Lee pick Suraj Sharma dumped his Girlfriend ! ON RECORD as the 1st piece of juicy gossip about the "dark life" of Suraj Sharma.
Treathyl Fox - Renaissance woman Independent Investor. Home Business Entrepreneur. Freelance Writer. Articles cover diverse topics. (aka Cmoneyspinner)
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