Vipin Sharma's Kamathipura Express Wins Student Academy Award; Enters Oscars Race

Indian actor Vipin Sharma has earned a new accolade after the short film Kamathipura Express, directed by 24‑year‑old Leon Korzynsky of Warsaw Film School, Poland, captured a silver medal at the Student Academy Awards. The ceremony, organized by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, will take place during the Toronto International Film Festival next month, and the win places the film in line for a nomination in the Best Short Film category at the 2027 Oscars in Los Angeles.

Sharma, who last appeared in the 2025 film Dhadak 2, portrays the antagonist in Kamathipura Express, a story shot on location in India’s Mumbai slums and near Bengaluru. He explained to HT City that the silver medal came after a global competition of 2,972 entries from 894 institutions, and that the award “stands at a very great place as it’s after all an Oscar.” The film also stars Polish actor Oskar Karos and actress Mia Paul, who plays Sharma’s on‑screen daughter.

Winning the Student Academy Award grants the film a direct entry into the Oscars, a path that has launched the careers of several prominent filmmakers. Sharma noted that the recognition “opens the door for more young filmmakers to come and shoot in India” and praised Korzynsky’s enthusiasm, saying the director was “fascinated with Slumdog Millionaire” and chose to create the film independently.

During production, the crew faced challenges, including a near confrontation with local police while filming on a beach, which highlighted the team’s determination. Sharma reflected on the experience, noting that the young director’s energy and passion made the shoot “a dream” for aspiring filmmakers. He also mentioned that he will attend the TIFF ceremony and has been invited to give a masterclass at Warsaw Film School.

Looking ahead, Sharma has two international projects underway and is currently filming an OTT series. He expressed excitement about the upcoming awards and the potential for his work to inspire future collaborations between Indian and international cinema.