<img title="Dev Patel&rsquo;s Lion, was nominated for the Oscars Best Picture; (right) Suraj Sharma " src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/2017/mar/18dev-suraj.jpg" alt="Dev Patel&rsquo;s Lion, was nominated for the Oscars Best Picture; (right) Suraj Sharma " /> Dev Patel's Lion, was nominated for the Oscars Best Picture; (right) Suraj Sharma&nbsp;
While Indian actors generally use their Bollywood outings as a ticket to Hollywood, Suraj Sharma's career headed in a different direction. After an acclaimed debut in Ang Lee's 'Life Of Pi' (2012), the 24-year-old is now set for his maiden Hindi film &mdash; Anushka Sharma's 'Phillauri'.&nbsp;
Parallels are being drawn between Suraj, and Indian-American actor Dev Patel's journey, and the former is delighted about it. &ldquo;It is a gift since it places me alongside him [Dev]. I hope I at least bag as many roles as he does. I like him as an actor, and love him as a person. We often catch up and talk about movies and life. Just like me, he doesn't like the idea of fame, and both of us feel the burden of being brown actors [since we are] always typecast,&rdquo; Suraj says.
Dev's excellence as an actor, says Suraj, will only enable more Indian-origin artistes bag roles in the West. &ldquo;From his amazing acting in 'Slumdog Millionaire' (2008) to bagging a Supporting Actor nomination at the Oscars for 'Lion' (2016), Dev's achievements are prestigious for us. They raise our expectations of bagging good roles. Dev has put us all on a pedestal for Hollywood to take note of.&rdquo;
An array of Indian actors has created waves on the international turf with Priyanka Chopra leading the pack. Yet, brown actors, Suraj feels, continue to face discrimination during auditions. &ldquo;It's not racism. It is an ideology so deep-seated that people in Hollywood don't even realise it. It's a constant struggle and [we are] often [called to] audition for stereotypical situations,&rdquo; he adds, and is quick to point out that the growth of independent cinema in India and US is creating a positive change by breaking moulds.
In Anushka's second production, Suraj will be seen as an NRI, who arrives in Punjab to get married, only to discover that he is a manglik. Ask him if he is superstitious and he responds with a firm no. &ldquo;But I believe in ghosts! Even though my mind tells me they don't exist, there is an element of doubt. I have been in some 'this is not normal' situations,&rdquo; he chuckles.

'Life Of Pi' actor Suraj, who makes his Bollywood debut with 'Phillauri', says Lion star is making Hollywood take note of Indians on screen

Suraj Sharma: Dev Patel is my inspiration

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Suraj Sharma: Dev Patel is my inspiration

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