When Saksham Sharma arrived at The Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute, he was already an accomplished Australian–Indian actor and magician. With over 5.7 million YouTube subscribers and billions of views across platforms, he is known for blending magic, hip-hop dance, and visual storytelling in his viral videos—earning him a Times Square billboard feature and murals across Australia.
While studying at LSTFI Los Angeles, Saksham trained under Method Acting instructor MJ Karmi, who continues to mentor him in his audition work. “I was trained by the amazing MJ Karmi and continue to work with her. She is truly wonderful,” he says. Saksham’s LSTFI training added a valuable layer of technique to his performance approach.
“Saksham Sharma is hugely talented and is absolutely wonderful to work with,” MJ shares in return, “I love to see him soar!”
Working with an Action Star
In a striking Hollywood debut, Saksham Sharma stars opposite Liam Neeson and Fan Bingbing in the newly released action thriller Ice Road: Vengeance. Reflecting on his time on set, Saksham recalls, “Liam would coach me mid-take: ‘Close your eyes, now open, face the light — hold the gun here — go.’ It was like Jedi training on set.”
Filmed on location in the remote mountain regions of Nepal, Ice Road: Vengeance challenged its cast with extreme weather and high-stakes action sequences. Saksham took on the lead role of Vijay Rai, a determined young man who must navigate treacherous terrain, rising conflict, and dangerous alliances to protect his village. Saksham also performed many of his own stunts, crediting the experience as both physically demanding and deeply rewarding. “I taught [Neeson] a few magic tricks, and in return, he dropped acting wisdom between takes. Fair trade, right?”
The film is now playing in theaters across the U.S., marking a milestone moment in Saksham’s already dynamic career.
From the Classroom to the Silver Screen
As Sydney-based multi-hyphenate, Saksham began his journey on the hit Australian soap opera, Home & Away, where stars like Chris Hemsworth, Naomi Watts, Heath Ledger, and many other found their starts. His previous credits include the 2023 drama Companion, executive produced by Dev Patel, and Australia’s Got Talent, where he was featured as a magician.
Saksham is also the youngest South Asian to star in and executive produce a Google- and Screen Australia–funded original series. Now available to stream on YouTube, Unknown Filter a genre-bending thriller that explores technology, youth culture, and the supernatural.
From the classroom to YouTube to the silver screen — and now a summer blockbuster with an international release — Saksham’s work reflects a deep commitment to craft, innovation, and storytelling. We are proud to celebrate this exciting step in his journey and look forward to what comes next.
