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Jim Sarbh
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Jim Sarbh (born 27 August 1987) is an Indian actor known for his work in films and stage productions. He has received several awards including a Filmfare OTT Award, and an IIFA Award with a nomination for an International Emmy Award. Additionally, he has directed and acted in numerous theatre productions in India.
Key Information
Sarbh made his feature film debut as the antagonist in the critically and commercially successful biopic Neerja (2016), which garnered him positive reviews from critics and such accolades as a Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor nomination and a Screen Award. He rose to prominence for playing antagonistic roles in the period drama Padmaavat (2018) and the biopic Sanju (2018). He was also a part of films like A Death in the Gunj (2017), Gangubai Kathiawadi (2022) and Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway (2023). In 2022, he played Dr. Homi Bhabha in the series Rocket Boys, for which he earned several accolades including a Best Actor nomination at 51st International Emmy Awards.[2]
In addition to his film career, Sarbh has regularly appeared in theatre productions, particularly those based in Mumbai. He has attracted attention for his performances in the 2013 revival of Death of a Salesman, Rajat Kapoor's What's Done is Done, and Kalki Koechlin's Living Room.[citation needed] He made his directorial debut in 2014 with Bull.[citation needed][3] For his extensive work in theatre, Sarbh was listed in Forbes India's 30 under 30 list in 2015.
Personal life
[edit]Jim Sarbh was born on 27 August 1987 in Bombay, Maharashtra, India into a Parsi Zoroastrian family. His mother is a retired physiotherapist, and his father is a former master mariner, and the Regional Director of P&O Ports South and Middle East Asia. The family moved to Australia when Sarbh was three years old and came back to Bombay when he was eight, where he first attended Bombay International School in South Mumbai and then the American School of Bombay in Bandra, West Mumbai. He completed his undergraduate degree in Psychology from the Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, United States.[4][5] He currently lives in Versova, Mumbai.[6]
Career
[edit]Theatre roles and Hindi cinema debut (2009–2016)
[edit]After graduating from Emory University, Sarbh worked with the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta for a year as a literary intern. He performed around Atlanta in the 2009 productions of such plays as The Show!, The Breakup, Tennis in Nablus, and Ice Glen; the last of the roles won him a Major Supporting Role Metropolitan Atlanta Theatre Award. Sarbh moved back to Mumbai in 2012 and began acting in local theatre productions. His performance as Happy Loman in Alyque Padamsee's 2013 revival of Death of a Salesman drew the attention of several commentators.[6][7] Sarbh continued to act in Mumbai-based plays including Rajat Kapoor's What's Done is Done, Rage Productions's The Glass Menagerie, Vickram Kapadia's The Merchant of Venice, Kalki Koechlin's Living Room, and later made his directorial and writing debut with the 2014 production Bull and Eat respectively.[6][4] He was listed in Forbes India's 30 under 30 list in 2015 for his contributions to the Mumbai theatre industry.[8]
Sarbh made his feature film debut with Ram Madhvani's 2016 biographical drama film Neerja.[9] He had two other releases in 2016–Jyoti Patil's Yashodhara and Daria Gai's 3 ½ Takes. He also worked on the short films Mama’s Boys by Akshat Verma, and Like Summer Like Rain by Gouri Dutt.[10]
Continued film career (2017–present)
[edit]Sarbh had two Bollywood releases in 2017–the thriller A Death in the Gunj and the romance film Raabta.[11] The production was screened at various film festivals across Europe.[12] He played the role of Malik Kafur in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's 2018 epic romance Padmaavat, featuring alongside Shahid Kapoor, Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh.[11] In 2019, he had a role in the Netflix film House Arrest,[13] and the following year featured in Yeh Ballet, another Netflix film.[14]
In 2020, he appeared in Bejoy Nambiar's Taish that released on ZEE5 in October.[15]
In 2022, he appeared in the film Gangubai Kathiawadi as Amin Faizi, the webseries Rocket Boys as Homi J. Bhabha and Eternally Confused and Eager for Love as a Wiz, a voiceover.
Filmography
[edit]Films
[edit]| Year | Film | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Shuruaat Ka Interval | Vaz |
| 2016 | Neerja | Khalil[16] |
| Yashodhara | ||
| 3 and 1/2 takes | ||
| 2017 | A Death in the Gunj | Brian McKenzie |
| Raabta | Zack Merchant/Qaabir | |
| Teen Aur Aadha | Natraj | |
| 2018 | Padmaavat | Malik Kafur |
| Sanju | Zubin Mistry | |
| The Wedding Guest | Deepesh | |
| Jonaki | Lover | |
| 2019 | Sometimes, I Think About Dying | Robert |
| Photograph | Rajveer | |
| House Arrest | Jamshed Daneja[17] | |
| 2020 | Taish | Rohan Karla[15] |
| Yeh Ballet | Academy Head[14] | |
| Beneath a Sea of Lights | Jimmy | |
| 2021 | The Tales of Boo Boo and Cuddly Poo | Himself |
| 2022 | Gangubai Kathiawadi | Hamid Fezi[18] |
| 2023 | Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway | Daniel Singh Ciupek |
| 2025 | Pune Highway | Vishnu |
| Kuberaa | Neeraj | |
| Inspector Zende | Carl Bhojraj[19] |
Web series
[edit]| Year | Name | Role | Channel | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Smoke | Roy | Eros Now | |
| 2019 | Made in Heaven | Adil Khanna | Amazon Prime Video | |
| Flip | Keki | Eros Now | Episode: "Massage" | |
| 2022 | Eternally Confused and Eager for Love | Wiz | Netflix | |
| Rocket Boys | Homi J. Bhabha | SonyLIV | ||
| Four More Shots Please | Sean Lobo | Amazon Prime Video |
Music videos
[edit]| Year | Title | Artist | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | "Cold/Mess" | Prateek Kuhad | [20] |
Short films
[edit]| Year | Title | Channel | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Akshat Varma | ||
| 2021 | Like Summer Like Rain | ||
| 2023 | Next, Please | [21][22] |
Awards and nominations
[edit]| Year | Film | Award | Category | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Neerja | Filmfare Awards | Best Supporting Actor | Nominated | |
| International Indian Film Academy Awards | Best Actor In a Negative Role | Won | |||
| Screen Awards | Best Male Debut | Won | [23] | ||
| Stardust Awards | Best Actor in a Negative Role | Won | |||
| Zee Cine Awards | Won | [24] | |||
| Best Male Debutant | Won | ||||
| 2019 | Padmaavat | Asiavision Awards | Best Actor in a Negative Role | Won | [25] |
| Filmfare Awards | Best Supporting Actor | Nominated | [25] | ||
| International Indian Film Academy Awards | Best Supporting Actor | Nominated | |||
| Zee Cine Awards | Best Actor in a Supporting Role – Male | Nominated | |||
| 2022 | Rocket Boys | Filmfare OTT Awards | Best Actor in a (Drama Series) | Nominated | |
| Best Actor in a Drama Series (Critics) | Won | ||||
| 2023 | International Emmy Awards | Best Actor | Nominated | [26] | |
| Rocket Boys (season 2) | 2023 Filmfare OTT Awards | Best Actor in a (Drama Series) | Nominated |
References
[edit]- ^ "Happy Birthday Jim Sarbh Unknown facts and droolworthy pics of actor". News Nation English. 27 August 2019. Retrieved 9 January 2021.
- ^ "International Emmy Awards 2023: Shefali Shah, Jim Sarbh And Vir Das Nominated". NDTV. 27 September 2023.
- ^ "Jim Sarbh's Directorial Debut Film". 10 March 2016.
- ^ a b Pillai, Pooja (3 April 2016). "Neerja Actor Jim Sarbh Acting Naturally". The Indian Express. Archived from the original on 16 April 2016. Retrieved 17 April 2016.
- ^ "Meet Jim Sarbh, the terrorist who gunned down Sonam Kapoor in Neerja". India TV. 1 March 2016. Archived from the original on 22 March 2016. Retrieved 18 April 2016.
- ^ a b c Ghose, Amesh (31 May 2017). "Mumbai Theatre's "Outrageously Hot Guy", Jim Sarbh, Is Back With A Death In The Gunj". Man's World. Archived from the original on 22 April 2018. Retrieved 22 April 2018.
- ^ Chatterjee, Arundhati (10 March 2016). "All you need to know about Jim Sarbh: The hijacker from Neerja". Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 28 January 2018. Retrieved 22 April 2018.
- ^ Banerjee, Jasodhara (9 February 2015). "Forbes India Magazine – Role play: The many faces of Jim Sarbh". Forbes India. Archived from the original on 16 April 2016. Retrieved 11 April 2016.
- ^ Shah, Tutu (28 February 2016). "Rehearse to the extent that you exceed psychology: Actor Jim Sarbh bares it all – Firstpost". Firstpost. Archived from the original on 2 May 2016. Retrieved 18 April 2016.
- ^ "Playing terrorist in 'Neerja' was challenging: Jim Sarbh". The Indian Express. 24 February 2016. Archived from the original on 30 April 2016. Retrieved 18 April 2016.
- ^ a b Magan, Srishti (31 January 2018). "Ranveer Was Great, But Why Isn't Anyone Talking About Jim Sarbh's Superb Performance In Padmaavat?". ScoopWhoop. Archived from the original on 23 April 2018. Retrieved 23 April 2018.
- ^ "Suman Sridhar and Natasha Mendonca to Present a Double Bill at the Tate Modern Museum". Rolling Stone. 16 May 2017. Archived from the original on 5 January 2018. Retrieved 23 April 2018.
- ^ "House Arrest Squandered Potential". www.telegraphindia.com. Archived from the original on 7 December 2019. Retrieved 7 December 2019.
- ^ a b "Netflix's Yeh Ballet trailer traces two Mumbai boys' journey to become renowned dancers in Sooni Taraporevala's film". Firstpost.com. 11 February 2020. Archived from the original on 17 February 2020. Retrieved 29 February 2020.
- ^ a b "Bejoy Nambiar's Taish to premiere on ZEE5 in October". Outlook India. Retrieved 28 September 2020.
- ^ "Exuding Brilliance In Neerja, Actor Jim Sarbh Is Now The Talk of The Town". Man's World India. 15 April 2016. Retrieved 8 April 2022.
- ^ "'It is a straight comedy, which I haven't done in film ever': Jim Sarbh on House Arrest". www.indulgexpress.com. 6 November 2019. Retrieved 8 April 2022.
- ^ "Jim Sarbh reflects on drawing lessons from theatre on camera: 'Acting is just about unravelling inner workings of a character'". Firstpost. 4 April 2022. Retrieved 8 April 2022.
- ^ "A Daring Inspector, The Notorious Swimsuit Killer, And One Epic Cat-And-Mouse Chase: Netflix Unveils Trailer for 'Inspector Zende'" (Press release). Netflix Newsroom. 25 August 2025. Retrieved 25 August 2025.
- ^ Srishti Magan (7 December 2018). "Jim Sarbh In A Prateek Kuhad Video Is The On-Screen Magic We Didn't Know We Needed". Scoop Whoop. Retrieved 28 April 2021.
- ^ Hungama, Bollywood (28 October 2023). "Debutant director Rishav Kapoor on Next, Please starring Jim Sarbh at MAMI 2023; says, "We've really endeavoured to break new ground with this" 2023 : Bollywood News - Bollywood Hungama". Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 18 November 2023.
- ^ FC, Team (29 October 2023). "Jim Sarbh's upcoming film Next Please to be screened at the Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival 2023". www.filmcompanion.in. Retrieved 18 November 2023.
- ^ "Star Screen Awards 2016 winners list: Pink wins big, Big B-Alia get best actor and actress award". India Today. 5 December 2016. Archived from the original on 15 September 2018. Retrieved 28 January 2018.
- ^ "Zee Cine Awards 2017: Salman Khan to Alia Bhatt, Amitabh Bachchan to Anushka Sharma – Who won what? | Latest News & Updates at Daily News & Analysis". dna. 12 March 2017. Archived from the original on 14 March 2017. Retrieved 28 January 2018.
- ^ a b Hooli, Shekhar H. (17 February 2019). "Asiavision Movie Awards 2018 winners list: Ranveer Singh, Dhanush and Trisha honoured [Photos + Videos]". International Business Times, India Edition. Archived from the original on 22 February 2019. Retrieved 18 February 2019.
- ^ "International Emmy Awards 2023: Shefali Shah, Jim Sarbh, Vir Das bag nominations; Read DEETS". Pinkvilla. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
External links
[edit]Jim Sarbh
View on GrokipediaEarly life
Family and upbringing
Jim Sarbh was born on 27 August 1987 in Bombay (now Mumbai), Maharashtra, India, into a Parsi Zoroastrian family.[7] His heritage as a Parsi, an ethnic community with roots in ancient Persia and following Zoroastrianism, shaped his cultural upbringing.[2] Sarbh's immediate family includes his mother, a retired physiotherapist, and his father, a former master mariner who later served as the Regional Director of P&O Ports South and Middle East Asia, reflecting a household blending medical care and maritime expertise.[7] Raised initially in south Mumbai, Sarbh's family relocated to Australia when he was three years old, where he spent his early childhood until returning to Mumbai at the age of eight.[8] This period abroad exposed him to diverse environments, but his formative years back in Mumbai were marked by the city's vibrant Parsi community and family life in the bustling urban setting, fostering a grounded yet culturally rich childhood.[2] The family's deep ties to the arts provided key influences during his upbringing; Sarbh is the grandson of Kali Pundole, a pioneering Indian gallerist who established the country's first private modern art gallery in Bombay, instilling an appreciation for creative expression that extended to his budding interest in performing arts through storytelling and visual framing.[2] These familial experiences helped nurture his early fascination with theatre and acting as outlets for imagination.[9]Education
Sarbh attended the Bombay International School and later the American School of Bombay in Mumbai, where he developed an early interest in drama through participation in school arts activities.[10][1][9][2] He then pursued higher education in the United States, earning a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, graduating around 2009.[10][11][8] Following his graduation, Sarbh chose to forgo a career in psychology, instead channeling his passion for the performing arts into professional pursuits, including a brief stint as a literary intern at the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta.[10][11]Career
Theatre work (2009–2016)
Jim Sarbh entered professional theatre in 2009 shortly after graduating from Emory University, where he had performed in student productions. He joined the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta as a literary intern and appeared in several plays that year, including experimental works such as The Show!, The Breakup, Tennis in Nablus, and Ice Glen, the latter earning him the Metropolitan Atlanta Theatre Award for Best Supporting Actor.[11] These early roles marked his transition from academic to professional stages, focusing on ensemble casts in intimate, narrative-driven pieces. Returning to Mumbai in 2012, Sarbh immersed himself in the local theatre scene, starting with experimental plays like Ok Tata Bye Bye and Limbo, often in collaboration with emerging groups.[1] He became involved with Thespo, India's annual youth theatre festival, as an alumnus and participant, contributing to its platform for under-25 artists through performances and workshops that blended absurdist and popular elements.[12] This period saw his progression from supporting ensemble roles to more prominent parts, amid Mumbai's challenging theatre landscape, where limited funding and small audience sizes often restricted productions to niche venues and short runs, favoring hyped shows over substantive ones.[13] In 2013, Sarbh gained critical notice for his portrayal of Happy Loman in Alyque Padamsee's revival of Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman, a role that highlighted his ability to convey familial tension and disillusionment in a classic American drama restaged for Indian audiences.[8] That same year, he took on the lead role of Tom Wingfield in Rage Productions' mounting of Tennessee Williams' The Glass Menagerie, delivering a sensitive performance as the aspiring poet trapped in domestic stagnation, which drew praise for its emotional depth and intuitive nuance.[14] Sarbh's directorial debut came in 2014 with Bull by Mike Bartlett, staged innovatively at the Tarq art gallery in Mumbai to evoke a corporate bullpen's claustrophobia. Co-directed and produced under his vision, the play explored themes of workplace aggression through a minimalist set and intense ensemble dynamics, receiving acclaim for its striking opening sequence and raw confrontation of power imbalances, though constrained by the city's resource limitations.[15] His extensive theatre contributions that year, including acting in eight productions, led to his inclusion in Forbes India's 30 Under 30 list in 2015.[14] By 2015, Sarbh starred as the enthusiastic yet flawed lead in Kalki Koechlin's The Living Room, a genre-blending tragicomedy about death and denial that premiered at Ranga Shankara Hall, blending wacky humor with poignant tragedy to mixed but notable reception.[16] He continued with Rajat Kapoor's What's Done is Done in 2016, an adaptation of Shakespeare's Macbeth featuring clownish elements, where Sarbh's comic timing as a supporting character added satirical bite to themes of ambition and guilt.[17] These formative years in theatre honed his craft, paving the way for his film debut later that year.Film roles (2016–present)
Sarbh made his feature film debut in the 2016 biographical thriller Neerja, directed by Ram Madhvani, where he portrayed Khalil, one of the hijackers in the 1986 Pan Am Flight 73 incident. To prepare for the role, he immersed himself in footage of terrorist interrogations and focused on embodying a sense of cold detachment through minimal dialogue and intense physicality. His chilling depiction of the antagonist earned widespread critical acclaim, with reviewers praising his ability to convey menace and vulnerability, marking a strong entry into Bollywood as a formidable villain.[18] In 2017, Sarbh delivered a nuanced performance as Shashank Gajanan Gaitonde in Kunal Kemmu's directorial debut A Death in the Gunj, playing a repressed family member whose simmering frustrations drive the psychological drama set in 1970s McLeod Ganj. Critics lauded his subtle portrayal of emotional restraint and quiet intensity, highlighting how it added depth to the ensemble narrative of familial dysfunction. That same year, he took on the role of Nawab Malde, a conflicted British Indian officer, in Vishal Bhardwaj's period war film Rangoon, where his character's divided loyalties between empire and homeland were noted for bringing moral ambiguity to the wartime romance. Sarbh continued his streak of antagonistic roles in 2018 with Padmaavat, Sanjay Leela Bhansali's epic historical drama, embodying Malik Kafur as the eunuch general and lover to Alauddin Khilji (played by Ranveer Singh). His physical transformation, including adopting a distinctive limp and androgynous mannerisms, was commended for its boldness, with critics appreciating the layered menace and tragic undertones that made the character memorably sinister. In Rajkumar Hirani's biopic Sanju, he appeared as a close associate to Ranbir Kapoor's Sanjay Dutt, contributing to the film's exploration of the actor's turbulent life through a supportive yet flawed friendship dynamic. His Hollywood debut came later that year in Michael Winterbottom's thriller The Wedding Guest, where he played "The Stranger," a mysterious figure entangled in a cross-border kidnapping plot; the role was praised for its enigmatic restraint, showcasing his versatility beyond Indian cinema.[18] By 2019, Sarbh shifted toward more empathetic characters in Ritesh Batra's romantic drama Photograph, portraying Rafiq, a street photographer's loyal friend who facilitates an unlikely romance between Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Sanya Malhotra. His warm, understated performance was highlighted for grounding the film's tender exploration of class and urban isolation, earning positive notes on his natural chemistry with the leads. In 2020's Shakuntala Devi, Anupam Kher's biopic of the mathematical genius, Sarbh played Paritosh Banerjee, the mathematician's husband, bringing emotional complexity to the domestic strains amid her extraordinary career; reviewers appreciated his subtle handling of the supportive yet challenged spouse. Sarbh's role as Govindabhai in the 2021 comedy 14 Phere, directed by Devanshu Singh, saw him as a quirky NRI groom navigating inter-caste marriage absurdities opposite Kriti Sanon and Vikrant Massey, with his comedic timing adding levity to the social satire. Critics found his portrayal refreshingly light-hearted, a departure from his earlier intensity. In 2022, he made a significant international mark as Mr. John Malcolm in the period romance Mr. Malcolm's List, playing a principled suitor opposite Freida Pinto and Zawe Ashton; his sophisticated, witty delivery was well-received for blending Regency-era charm with modern nuance, affirming his growing global appeal. That year, he also supported Alia Bhatt's titular role in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Gangubai Kathiawadi as a pimp in the biopic of the Mumbai red-light district matriarch, where his brief but impactful presence contributed to the film's gritty portrayal of 1960s underworld dynamics. In 2023's Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway, Sarbh portrayed Daniel Singh Ciupek, a Norwegian child services officer in the immigration drama inspired by real events, opposite Rani Mukerji. His measured performance as the bureaucratic antagonist drew commendations for humanizing the system's cold efficiency without caricature, adding tension to the mother-child custody battle. In 2025, Sarbh starred in the thriller Pune Highway (released May 23, 2025) as a central figure in a road-trip narrative of crime and redemption. He took on an antagonistic lead in Sekhar Kammula's multilingual Kuberaa (released June 20, 2025), where his portrayal of a ruthless power broker opposite Dhanush was noted for its commanding intensity, reviving his flair for villainy in a tale of ambition and morality. That year, he played the antagonist Carl Bhojraj, a charismatic serial killer, in the Netflix investigative thriller Inspector Zende (released September 5, 2025), directed by Chinmay Mandlekar, opposite Manoj Bajpayee as the titular detective; the film generated buzz for its gritty procedural style. In 2025, Sarbh expanded into producing with the Marathi film Sabar Bonda (Cactus Pears), which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and won an award there before its India release in September.[19] Throughout his film career, Sarbh has evolved from predominantly villainous and negative roles—such as hijackers and historical tyrants—that showcased his raw intensity, to a broader palette of versatile characters, including supportive friends, romantic leads, and bureaucratic figures, reflecting his maturation as an actor adept at both Bollywood spectacles and international indies. This progression has been bolstered by recognition from parallel projects like the web series Rocket Boys, enhancing his profile in diverse narratives.Digital media and other projects (2018–present)
Sarbh ventured into digital media with the 2018 web series Smoke on Eros Now, portraying the character Roy in this thriller set in Goa, marking his debut in episodic streaming content. That same year, he starred in the music video for Prateek Kuhad's "cold/mess," directed by Dar Gai, where he embodied one half of a couple navigating the turbulent emotional phases of a relationship—from intimacy to heartbreak—through intimate, visually poetic storytelling that amplified the song's themes of vulnerability and messiness.[20] In 2019, Sarbh earned acclaim for his role as Adil Khanna, a wealthy, introspective Muslim man grappling with family expectations and personal identity, in the Amazon Prime Video series Made in Heaven. Created by Zoya Akhtar and Reema Kagti, the show dissected the underbelly of Delhi's elite weddings, and Sarbh's layered performance was lauded for capturing Adil's quiet turmoil and moral ambiguity.[21] He also appeared in the Eros Now anthology Flip, playing Keki in the episode "Massage," a brief but memorable turn in a series exploring modern relationships. Sarbh's digital presence expanded in 2022 with the voice role of Wiz in Netflix's Eternally Confused and Eager for Love, where he provided the sarcastic, stream-of-consciousness inner monologue for the protagonist's imaginary advisor, infusing the coming-of-age rom-com with sharp wit and psychological depth that critics highlighted as a standout element.[22] That year, he led as Dr. Homi J. Bhabha in SonyLIV's Rocket Boys, a biographical drama chronicling India's nuclear and space pioneers across two seasons. Sarbh's portrayal of the visionary physicist—blending charisma, intellect, and quiet determination—earned him a Best Actor nomination at the 51st International Emmy Awards, garnering global praise for its authenticity and emotional resonance, and significantly elevating his stature in international streaming circles.[3] His work in short films further showcased his range in concise digital formats. In Like Summer Like Rain (2021), directed by Gouri Dutt, Sarbh delivered a narrative-driven performance exploring interpersonal connections amid life's fleeting moments.[23] More recently, in 2025, he starred in Next, Please as part of the Royal Stag Barrel Select Shorts anthology, tackling the absurdities of contemporary dating apps alongside Shreya Dhanwanthary in a comedic yet insightful vignette directed by Dibakar Banerjee.[24] Earlier, his lead in the 2017 short Mama's Boys, a satirical retelling of the Mahabharata's Pandavas in modern India, served as an early foray into experimental digital storytelling.[25] Sarbh's pivot to OTT platforms reflects a deliberate choice for roles offering multifaceted character arcs, as seen in Rocket Boys, where the extended format allowed for a profound depiction of Bhabha's scientific passion and personal sacrifices—opportunities he has described as rarer in mainstream theatrical releases constrained by commercial demands.[3] His film roles, such as the intense hijacker in Neerja (2016), laid the groundwork for this digital expansion by establishing his reputation for intense, unconventional portrayals.Filmography
Films
| Year | Title | Role | Director | Language | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Neerja | Khalil | Ram Madhvani | Hindi | [26] |
| 2017 | A Death in the Gunj | Brian | Konkona Sen Sharma | English | [27] |
| 2017 | Rangoon | Major John Williams | Vishal Bhardwaj | Hindi | [28] |
| 2017 | Raabta | Zakir Merchant / Kabir | Dinesh Vijan | Hindi | Special appearance [29] |
| 2018 | Padmaavat | Malik Kafur | Sanjay Leela Bhansali | Hindi | [30] |
| 2018 | Sanju | Zubin Mistry | Rajkumar Hirani | Hindi | [31] |
| 2018 | The Wedding Guest | Deepesh | Michael Winterbottom | English | [32] |
| 2019 | House Arrest | Jamshed "JD" Dangeja | Shashanka Ghosh | Hindi | Netflix film [33] |
| 2019 | Photograph | Mayank | Ritesh Batra | Hindi | [34] |
| 2020 | Shakuntala Devi | Paritosh Bannerji | Anu Menon | Hindi | [35] |
| 2020 | Taish | Rohan Kalra | Bejoy Nambiar | Hindi | [36] |
| 2020 | Yeh Ballet | Academy Head | Sooni Taraporevala | Hindi | Netflix film [37] |
| 2021 | 14 Phere | Zaheer Khan | Devanshu Singh | Hindi | [38] |
| 2022 | Gangubai Kathiawadi | Amin Faizi | Sanjay Leela Bhansali | Hindi | [39] |
| 2022 | Mr. Malcolm's List | Mr. Zoltan | Emily Beecham | English | [40] |
| 2023 | Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway | Daniel Singh Ciupek | Ashima Chibber | Hindi | [41] |
| 2025 | Pune Highway | Vishnu | Rahul da Cunha, Bugs Bhargava Krishna | Hindi | [42] |
| 2025 | Kuberaa | Neeraj Mishra | Sekhar Kammula | Tamil | Multilingual release [43] |
| 2025 | Inspector Zende | Carl Bhojraj | Pushkaraj Pradhan | Hindi | Netflix film [44] |
Web series
Jim Sarbh made his debut in digital media with the web series Smoke in 2018, where he portrayed the character of Roy across all 10 episodes on Eros Now.[45] In 2019, he appeared as Keki in the anthology series Flip on Eros Now.[46] In 2019, he appeared as Adil Khanna, a wealthy businessman, in season 1 of Made in Heaven on Amazon Prime Video, featuring in 9 episodes.[47] Sarbh took on the recurring role of yoga instructor Sean Lobo in season 3 of Four More Shots Please! in 2021 on Amazon Prime Video, appearing in multiple episodes of the 5-episode season. He voiced the character of Wiz, the protagonist's inner voice, in the 2022 Netflix miniseries Eternally Confused and Eager for Love, contributing to all 5 episodes.[48] From 2022 to 2023, Sarbh starred as Dr. Homi J. Bhabha in Rocket Boys on SonyLIV, appearing in all 8 episodes of season 1 (2022) and all 8 episodes of season 2 (2023).[49] As of November 2025, Sarbh is set to appear as Xerxes Desai in the upcoming series Made in India: A Titan Story on Amazon MX Player, with no release date or episode details confirmed yet.[50]Music videos
Jim Sarbh has made notable appearances in a handful of music videos, primarily collaborating with indie musician Prateek Kuhad in visually intimate projects that explore themes of relationships and emotion. His lead role in Kuhad's "cold/mess" marked an early foray into this medium, showcasing his ability to convey nuanced vulnerability on screen. Subsequent cameos and features have extended his presence in music-driven visuals, often tying into his broader artistic overlaps with short-form narratives. In "cold/mess" (2018), Sarbh starred as the male lead opposite Zoya Hussain, portraying a man entangled in a toxic yet tender relationship that cycles through intimacy, insecurity, and heartbreak. Directed by Dar Gai and produced by Jugaad Motion Pictures, the video—released on December 5, 2018—employs a simple 16mm aesthetic to capture raw emotional transitions, such as shared moments of affection giving way to repeated departures symbolizing relational stages. Sarbh's performance, noted for its sincerity and chemistry with Hussain, was largely captured in first takes, emphasizing the video's focus on two inherently good people unable to sustain their bond without assigning blame.[51][52] Sarbh reprised elements of this collaboration in "Into the Night" (2019), an extended edit derived from uncut "cold/mess" footage, where he again appeared alongside Hussain in reflective, relationship-centric scenes. Released on December 7, 2019, and also directed by Dar Gai, the video incorporates natural film flares to evoke a sense of nostalgia and continuity, celebrating the original's anniversary while delving deeper into themes of longing and nocturnal introspection.[53] He made a guest appearance in the crowdsourced video for "Kasoor" (2020), a lockdown-era project by Prateek Kuhad produced by Jugaad Motion Pictures, released on June 30, 2020. Sarbh features briefly among a diverse cast including fans, comedians like Mallika Dua and Kunal Kamra, and returning collaborator Zoya Hussain, contributing to vignettes that highlight everyday moments of guilt and emotional nuance in relationships.[54][55] Additionally, Sarbh appeared in the official theme music video for the series Rocket Boys (2023), portraying a key figure in a historical narrative alongside Ishwak Singh, Saba Azad, and Regina Cassandra. Directed by Abhay Pannu and composed by Achint, the video—released on May 17, 2023—captures the conflict and ambition in the lives of scientists Homi J. Bhabha and Vikram Sarabhai, blending dramatic visuals with soaring orchestration to underscore themes of innovation and legacy.[56]| Year | Title | Artist | Director | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | cold/mess | Prateek Kuhad | Dar Gai | Lead role; explores toxic relationship dynamics |
| 2019 | Into the Night | Prateek Kuhad | Dar Gai | Lead role; extended footage from "cold/mess" |
| 2020 | Kasoor | Prateek Kuhad | Jugaad Motion Pictures (collective) | Guest appearance; crowdsourced fan vignettes |
| 2023 | Rocket Boys (Theme) | Achint | Abhay Pannu | Supporting role; promotional theme for series |
Short films
Jim Sarbh has contributed to various short films, often in independent productions that highlight experimental storytelling and character-driven narratives. These works, typically under 30 minutes, allow him to explore nuanced roles outside mainstream cinema.| Year | Title | Role | Director | Runtime | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Mama's Boys | Sahdev | Akshat Verma | 16 minutes | A comedic modern retelling of the Mahabharata legend, featuring a cast including Aditi Rao Hydari and Neena Gupta.[57][58][25] |
| 2021 | Like Summer Like Rain | Lead (co-starring Amrita Bagchi) | Gouri Dutt | Not specified | An independent short exploring interpersonal dynamics.[23][59] |
| 2023 | Next, Please | Bartender / Bar owner | Rishav Kapoor | 11 minutes | Examines modern dating through virtual reality; premiered at the Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival. Co-starring Shreya Dhanwanthary and Shardul Bharadwaj.[60][61] |
| 2024 | The Promise | George Batra | Tigmanshu Dhulia | 10 minutes | A drama about awaiting a lost love after 20 years; premiered at the MAMI Mumbai Film Festival. Co-starring [Priyamani](/page/Priyaman i).[62][63] |
| 2025 | Badminton | Bartender | Dibakar Banerjee | 11 minutes | A quirky drama set in a bar involving a game of badminton; part of the Royal Stag Barrel Select Shorts series. Co-starring Sayani Gupta and Vijay Maurya.[64][65] |
