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Vikram Sharma

From English Literature Undergraduate to Director

Last updated: Feb 18, 2025

Film Director in Arts & Entertainment · London, UK

From English literature graduate to FTII to indie director. Documenting the real career story behind a debut feature — the rejection letters, the script that took four years, the festival circuit. For the next person considering film as a path without family connections.

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Career Timeline

Education2009-2012
English Literature Undergraduate
IIT Madras
Discovered cinema as language during a film appreciation elective. Wrote a play, then a one-act, then a 12-minute short shot on my phone.
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ContextDiscovered cinema as language during a film appreciation elective. Wrote a play, then a one-act, then a 12-minute short shot on my phone.
ChallengesParents wanted a stable job; I wanted to apply to film school. Three years of polite arguments.
LearningsFilms are written before they are shot. Read widely; cinema is rich because literature taught it grammar.
Skills acquired
Story analysisreading like a writercollege theatreshort film clubs
Higher Studies2012-2015
Direction Diploma Student
FTII
Three years at FTII. Slept in editing rooms. Made four short films, two went to festivals.
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ContextThree years at FTII. Slept in editing rooms. Made four short films, two went to festivals.
ChallengesPolitics of film school. Competition for camera time. Realising talent is necessary but not sufficient.
LearningsFilm school teaches you the difference between an idea and a story. The first costs nothing; the second costs years.
Skills acquired
Direction craftscreenwritingcinematography fundamentalseditingsound design
First Job2015-2019
Assistant Director
Yash Raj Films
Four years assisting on three feature films. Watched veteran directors block scenes, fight with producers, hold the room.
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ContextFour years assisting on three feature films. Watched veteran directors block scenes, fight with producers, hold the room.
ChallengesLong hours; lower pay than friends in tech. Watching less talented peers get breaks because of last names.
LearningsAn AD job is the best film school. Notice everything; ask later.
Skills acquired
Set managementcontinuityworking with starsschedule recoverylearning silence
Failure and Lesson2019-2022
Aspiring Director (no green light)
Self
Wrote three feature scripts. Pitched to 27 producers over two years. Got polite encouragement and no money.
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ContextWrote three feature scripts. Pitched to 27 producers over two years. Got polite encouragement and no money.
ChallengesWatching my bank balance drop while peers built houses. Two relationships ended because of the uncertainty.
LearningsIn creative careers, the dry years are the years your style forms. Nobody tells you because they look like failure from outside.
Skills acquired
Patiencescreenwriting through rewritespitching to producersnetworking
Achievement2022-Present
Director
BBC
Debut feature picked up by BBC. Premiered at an A-list festival. Theatrical release in three countries.
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ContextDebut feature picked up by BBC. Premiered at an A-list festival. Theatrical release in three countries.
ChallengesReading reviews of my own film. Learning that promotion is half the job, not an afterthought.
LearningsYour first film is judged by your last one. Make the second one fast; do not chase the buzz.
OutcomeOptioned the next project before the debut released. Started a small production company with two colleagues.
Skills acquired
Feature directionpost-production supervisionfestival strategyaudience engagement
AdviceSave 18 months of runway before quitting your day job. Creative careers do not negotiate with rent.

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Vikram Sharma

Career Timeline

English Literature Undergraduate

Direction Diploma Student

Assistant Director

Aspiring Director (no green light)

Director

Reflections & Questions from Readers