Actor Jim Sarbh has completed a decade in the film industry, building a body of work that spans both cinema and OTT. During a recent conversation with The Hollywood Reporter India, the actor revisited his first film, Neerja, and recalled an accident that happened on the first day of filming. He also spoke about his early discomfort with the hierarchical structure he encountered on film sets and how different that environment felt from his previous experiences.
Jim remembers the accident involving Sonam Kapoor
Talking about his first day on the set of Neerja, Jim recalled accidentally hitting Sonam Kapoor in the face with a gun during a scene. He described the incident as an immediate moment of panic and said he could not forget his reaction at the time.
According to Jim, Sonam did not make the incident into a major issue and the situation was handled on set. He also recalled that people around them laughed about what had happened. Looking back, the actor said he was relieved that the accident did not lead to him being removed from the project.
The incident became an unforgettable part of his early experience in the industry, particularly because Neerja marked his debut in Hindi cinema.
He found the industry’s hierarchy difficult to understand
Jim also discussed his experience with the hierarchy he encountered while working in the film industry. He explained that his earlier experiences had given him the impression that everyone involved in a production was working collectively towards the same project.
Coming from a theatre background, he said the transition into a different professional environment was not immediately easy for him. He recalled being introduced to a system in which different people appeared to occupy clearly defined positions, something he struggled to understand at the beginning of his career.
The actor said he still finds aspects of this structure difficult to reconcile with his earlier understanding of collaborative work. His comments reflect the adjustment he experienced while moving from theatre into mainstream film production.
Jim had spoken about his early frustrations before
This is not the first time Sarbh has discussed his initial years in the industry. In an earlier appearance on The Streaming Show podcast in July, he recalled feeling frustrated during the early stages of his career.
Jim said he was younger at the time and acknowledged that he could become angry when he encountered behaviour he did not understand. He also described feeling disappointed by situations in which he believed honesty was not always valued.
His latest comments provide further context about the challenges he experienced while adapting to the working culture of the film industry.
From Neerja to major film and OTT projects
Jim Sarbh made his Bollywood debut with Neerja in 2016. Since then, he has appeared in a range of films, including A Death in the Gunj, Padmaavat, Sanju, Gangubai Kathiawadi and Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway.
His work has also extended significantly into streaming. He has been part of projects such as Made in Heaven, Rocket Boys and Four More Shots Please. His filmography over the past decade has established him across both theatrical releases and digital productions, with roles spanning different genres and formats.
As he marks ten years in the industry, Sarbh’s reflections on his debut, early setbacks and experiences with professional hierarchy offer a glimpse into the transition that shaped his career.