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DC South Asian Film Festival honors Shishir Sharma
He previously received the Best Actor (Feature Film) award at the New Bedford International Film Festival.
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Staff Reporter - Wed, 10, Sep 2025
- 17:00 EDT
- 20
Shishir Sharma and Sridhar Rangayan along with organizers at DCSAFF / Photo courtesy- Sridhar Rangayan
Acclaimed Indian actor Shishir Sharma received the Best Actor (Male) award at the 14th Annual DC South Asian Film Festival (DCSAFF) for his role in Kuch Sapney Apne.
The recognition marks the twelfth international award for the film, which continues to resonate with audiences worldwide for its sensitive portrayal of queer and familial bonds.
In the film, Sharma portrays Damodar, a stern patriarch whose rigid worldview crumbles under life’s pressures, ultimately softening his stance toward his gay son and his wife, who advocates for LGBTQ rights.
Also read: 14th annual DC South Asian Film Festival returns with 54 films from 12 countries
His nuanced performance has struck a chord across cultures, earning him his second Best Actor honor for this role. Earlier, he received the Best Actor (Feature Film) award at the New Bedford International Film Festival.
Sharma expressed gratitude for the honor stating, “The screening at the DCSAFF in Washington was received very well and appreciated, but it was beyond my imagination that I would receive the Best Actor award for this film. This is a wonderful recognition of our efforts as artists. Thanks to the organizers and jury members for this award, and to Sridhar and Saagar and the entire cast for the magnificent support throughout the making of this gem of a film.”
Director Sridhar Rangayan, who co-wrote and directed the film with Saagar Gupta, highlighted the enthusiastic audience response, describing Sharma’s award as “icing on the cake” for the film’s festival journey.
“This award at a mainstream festival is a testament that good films always shines, whatever the genre may be. We sincerely hope the film gets a mainstream release, so more people can watch the film. We sincerely want to thank the organizers and jury members of the festival for this splendid honour,” Rangayan said.
Festival director Manoj Singh praised Sharma’s artistry, noting, “The film was well received by audiences for its bold portrayal of social issues within a patriarchal and conservative society. At the festival, we had the pleasure of screening ‘Kuch Sapne Apne’ along with two short films featuring Sharma—‘Qafas’ and ‘Chashma’. His exceptional work across all three films was deeply appreciated by viewers and critics alike”.
Kuch Sapney Apne explores themes of love, fidelity, and family dynamics through the lens of Kartik and Aman’s relationship, which faces strain after a betrayal. The film has contributed to its international acclaim, with screenings at 24 global film festivals.
The ensemble cast of the film includes Mona Ambegaonkar, Satvik Bhatia, and Arpit Chaudhary, with music by Vishal and Rekha Bhardwaj, Shaan, Shashwat Singh, and Sushant Divgikar.
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