Who is Nandi Sharma?
Nandi Sharma is an Ohio-born actor, filmmaker, and creator whose work lives at the intersection of emotional truth and controlled chaos. He began his creative journey in theater and community plays before building an early following through YouTube, recreating iconic film scenes and developing original character-driven sketches that laid the foundation for his storytelling voice.
He is the writer, director, producer, and lead actor of the award-winning short film Hero, an intimate exploration of men’s mental health and vulnerability. The film earned Best Actor and Best First-Time Filmmaker at the American Filmatic Arts Awards, along with additional festival recognition.
Nandi is also the co-creator, writer, and lead of Don’t Do It, an independently produced dark-comedy pilot about three friends whose attempts at love, sobriety, and self-improvement are repeatedly derailed by their own terrible decisions. The pilot has received Best Pilot at the Indie Short Fest, an Honorable Mention at the NYC TV Festival, and has continued its festival run with an official selection at the Studio City International Film Festival.
In 2026, Nandi launched Bad Habits Studios, an independent comedy production company built around creating bold, character-driven films and sketches without waiting for permission. Under the Bad Habits banner, Nandi and his collaborators have produced Don’t Do It alongside a growing slate of original comedy shorts, including three new sketches, one of which has also been selected for the Studio City International Film Festival.
As an actor, Nandi has appeared in Jamal Dedeaux’s The Late Night Creep and performed in Apple TV+’s Wolfs, alongside George Clooney and Brad Pitt.
Whether working in drama or comedy, Nandi’s focus remains the same: creating distinctive characters, taking creative swings, and building the kind of work he wants to be a part of.
“Healing Through Storytelling”
In Hero, Nandi brings his multifaceted talent to the forefront as the writer, producer, director, and star of the film. Drawing from his own life experiences, he crafts a narrative rich in emotional depth and authenticity, exploring themes of men’s mental health and trauma. The film is a striking showcase of his visionary storytelling, blending bold creativity with a profound ability to connect with audiences.
Hero has been recognized with three awards, including Best Actor and Best First-Time Filmmaker from the American Filmatic Arts Awards, and an Award of Special Merit Mention from the Best Shorts Competition.
Through Hero, Nandi not only challenges perceptions but also sheds light on deeply resonant issues, inviting viewers into a transformative exploration of emotional vulnerability and personal healing.
Bad Habits Studios is an independent comedy production company built around one simple idea: make the thing instead of waiting for permission to make it.
Founded by Nandi Sharma and his collaborators, Bad Habits develops original, character-driven comedy with an appetite for bad decisions, uncomfortable situations, and controlled chaos. Its growing slate includes the dark-comedy pilot Don’t Do It and a series of original comedy sketches, with multiple projects earning festival selections, including the Studio City International Film Festival.
Click the banner above to watch Bad Habits Studios.
“Comedy As Controlled Chaos”
In Don’t Do It, Nandi brings his comedic voice to the forefront as co-creator, writer, and lead performer. The dark-comedy pilot follows three deeply flawed friends whose attempts at love, sobriety, and self-improvement usually end with them making everything considerably worse.
Independently produced and now under the Bad Habits Studios banner, Don’t Do It has earned Best Pilot at the Indie Short Fest, an Honorable Mention at the NYC TV Festival, and an official selection at the Studio City International Film Festival, among additional festival recognition.
Created as a proof of concept for a larger series, Don’t Do It represents the comedic side of Nandi's work: character-driven, uncomfortable, absurd, and grounded just enough to make the bad decisions hurt.
