Jim Sarbh is one of modern Hindi cinema’s most distinctive character actors. He first made waves on the Mumbai theatre scene and then moved to films where his strong screen presence and fearlessness with challenging parts won fast praise
Jim Sarbh stands out in a crowded film industry for two reasons. First, he built a serious acting foundation in theatre. Second, he picks roles that are often small on paper but big in impact on screen.
He is not a conventional leading man. Instead he brings intensity, nuance and a careful, sometimes uncanny, stillness to every character.
That approach made his early film roles instantly memorable. Today he is accepted as a rare kind of performer who can move from theatre stages to mainstream Hindi films and to international streaming projects with equal credibility.
This article will walk you through his early life, schooling, theatre background, film and web career, awards and recognitions, personal style and public image.
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Table of Contents
Jim Sarbh’s Biography
Early life and education
Jim Sarbh was born in Mumbai into a Parsi family on 27 August 1987. His family moved overseas when he was a toddler and returned to India during his childhood.
He attended the American School of Bombay and later studied psychology at Emory University in Atlanta, USA.
After college he worked briefly with the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta. Those early, mixed cultural experiences and exposure to theatre abroad shaped his artistic sensibility.1
Sarbh’s interest in performing started in theatre. He has said in interviews that the discipline and training of stage work taught him tools he still uses in film and television.
His theatrical training also gave him confidence to take bold, risky roles rather than defaulting to safe, crowd-pleasing parts. 2
I stay fit at 50 by being 38 😂 https://t.co/vnGZeECFns
— Jim Sarbh (@jimSarbh) August 23, 2025
Quick stats
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full name | Jim Sarbh. |
| Date of birth | 27 August 1987. |
| Birthplace | Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. |
| Age | (Born 1987) — check current year to calculate. |
| Education | American School of Bombay; Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Emory University. |
| First major film role | Neerja (2016). |
| Notable films & shows | Neerja, Padmaavat, Sanju, A Death in the Gunj, Gangubai Kathiawadi, Rocket Boys (TV). |
| Years active | 2010–present. |
| Known for | Strong theatre background, character work, playing layered antagonists and complex supporting roles. |
| Awards / nominations | IIFA (Best Actor in a Negative Role) winner for Neerja; Filmfare and other nominations; Filmfare OTT Award (critics) for Rocket Boys; International Emmy nomination(s) association with projects in 2023. |
Theatre: where he learned to act
Before films, Jim Sarbh made his mark in Mumbai’s thriving theatre scene. He acted in and directed several notable stage productions.
Directors and playwrights in India took notice of his stage presence and range. Some points to note:
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He performed in revivals and contemporary plays, including productions of Death of a Salesman and The Glass Menagerie.
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He wrote and directed for the stage as well, demonstrating that his interest in storytelling ran beyond acting.
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In 2015, Forbes India listed him among its 30 Under 30 for his contribution to theatre, a recognition that helped bring him to a wider audience.
Theatre gave Sarbh a reputation for discipline, vocal control and a willingness to experiment. Those qualities later translated into film roles that demanded nuance rather than loud dramatics.
Breakthrough in films: Neerja and the turn to cinema
Jim Sarbh’s screen breakthrough came with Neerja (2016). He played one of the hijackers, a role that required a chilling intensity and an ability to remain convincing without long monologues.
Critics praised his layered portrayal. The performance put him on the map for mainstream Hindi cinema and showed directors he could carry complex antagonistic energy on screen. The role earned him awards attention and industry recognition.
Following Neerja, Sarbh appeared in a string of notable films where his supporting turns stood out: A Death in the Gunj (2016), Padmaavat (2018), Sanju (2018) and later Gangubai Kathiawadi (2022).
Each role added a new facet to his public image he became known as the actor who could make limited screen time count.
Filmography Highlights
Below are selected films and shows that shaped Jim Sarbh’s career. This is not exhaustive, but it lists the most cited and influential projects.
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Neerja (2016) — played Khalil, one of the hijackers. Breakthrough role.
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A Death in the Gunj (2016) — a more subtle, indie-spirited project that demonstrated his versatility.
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Padmaavat (2018) — played Malik Kafur, a compact but memorable performance opposite larger-than-life leads. Critics noted his nuance in the role.
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Sanju (2018) — small but important role as one of the characters in the biopic’s landscape.
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Taish (2020, film & web miniseries) — did work in projects that crossed media.
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Gangubai Kathiawadi (2022) — another high-profile supporting appearance.
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Rocket Boys (2022–) — a streaming series where he played a lead role and which received critical acclaim, including award nominations on OTT and international attention. Rocket Boys boosted his profile in the streaming era. 3
For a full list of credits, film-database sites like IMDb and Rotten Tomatoes maintain updated filmographies. 4
Notable Awards and Recognition
Jim Sarbh’s performances have won both praise and awards recognition:
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For Neerja, he won the IIFA Award for Best Actor in a Negative Role and collected other honors and nominations.
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His work on streaming series Rocket Boys earned him Filmfare OTT recognition. The series itself brought international attention and award buzz, including mentions at the International Emmy-related coverage in 2023.
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He has also been recognized by critics and industry lists, such as Forbes India’s 30 Under 30, which highlighted him for his contribution to theatre before his film breakthrough.
These honors reflect a career that straddles commercial cinema, independent film and high-quality streaming projects.
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Beyond Acting: Writing, Directing and Public Presence
Jim Sarbh has not limited himself to acting. Early in his career he wrote and directed stage pieces. He has given interviews and long-format conversations about craft, personal taste and the state of Indian storytelling.
He has also been part of ensemble theatre projects and collaborated with prominent Indian theatre directors.
His public persona is thoughtful and media-savvy; he often speaks about art and craft rather than celebrity culture.
Career Milestones and Timeline
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Late 2000s–early 2010s: Theatre work in Atlanta and Mumbai; built a reputation on stage.
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2015: Forbes India 30 Under 30 recognition for theatre.
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2016: Film breakthrough with Neerja. Award attention follows.
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2016–2019: Steady work in films like A Death in the Gunj, Padmaavat, Sanju.
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2020s: Transition into OTT and lead roles in streaming series such as Rocket Boys, gaining wider critical acclaim and international conversations.
Personal Life
Jim Sarbh tends to keep his private life out of tabloid headlines. In interviews he focuses on work, theatre, craft and the choices he makes as an actor.
He has spoken about relationships with the medium, the advantages of ensemble work and the satisfaction of being able to switch between stage, film and OTT.
Publicly, he is known for measured, candid interviews that emphasize craft rather than gossip. Because he values privacy, avoid treating rumours as facts. 5
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FAQ’s
Q: When and where was Jim Sarbh born?
A: Jim Sarbh was born on 27 August 1987 in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
Q: What was Jim Sarbh’s breakthrough role?
A: His breakthrough came with the film Neerja (2016), where he played one of the hijackers. The role earned critical praise and awards attention.
Q: Did Jim Sarbh come from theatre?
A: Yes. He trained and worked extensively in theatre, both in Atlanta and in Mumbai. His theatrical work was widely noted before he became known in films.
Q: Has Jim Sarbh won major awards?
A: Yes. He won awards like IIFA for Neerja and has received nominations from Filmfare and other bodies. His work in OTT series has also earned critical awards and nominations.
Q: Is Jim Sarbh on social media?
A: He has maintained a public presence with interviews and profiles, but he keeps personal life private. For official social accounts, check verified platforms.
Q: What kinds of roles does he choose?
A: He prefers complex characters, often morally ambiguous or antagonistic. He also takes ensemble and dramatic lead roles in high-quality streaming series.
Q: Where can I watch his work?
A: His films appear on major Indian and international platforms depending on distribution. Rocket Boys is an example of his work available on streaming services. For availability, consult the streaming platform catalogues or film databases like IMDb and Rotten Tomatoes.
Conclusion
Jim Sarbh’s career is a strong example of how rigorous theatre training, intelligent role selection and steady craft can build lasting respect in a film industry that often prioritizes star power.
He continues to choose projects that challenge him and broaden the kinds of stories Indian audiences see on film and streaming platforms.
If you follow contemporary Indian cinema or quality international streaming content, Jim Sarbh is an actor worth watching.
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