When a Bihar-born filmmaker made a Spanish movie in Latin America starring a WWE Hall of Famer as the villain
The Unlikely Journey of Prabhakar Sharan
A Film Like No Other: 'Enredados: La Confusión'
— ScottSteiner (@ScottSteiner)
A Trailblazer for Indian Cinema Abroad
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In a world where Bollywood and Hollywood are often viewed as the alpha and omega of global cinema, a little-known filmmaker from Bihar dared to chart an untrodden path—right into the heart of Latin America. Meet Prabhakar Sharan , a Motihari-born dreamer who broke cinematic borders, made a Spanish-language movie in Costa Rica in 2017, and cast none other than WWE Hall of Famer Scott Steiner as the villain. Yes, you read that right—a Bihari filmmaker directing a Bollywood-style Latin movie with a wrestling icon playing the bad guy.Born in Motihari, Bihar, Sharan left India in 2000 with stars in his eyes and an actor's fire in his belly. His destination? Not Mumbai or LA—but Costa Rica, a country few Indians had ever considered a launching pad for cinematic dreams. There, while pursuing his studies at Universidad Panamericana, he noticed something curious: Latin Americans had a deep affection for the colourful, melodramatic storytelling of Bollywood. Spotting this cultural resonance, he began distributing Hindi films across Central America, even at the cost of personal financial losses. But his passion for storytelling never wavered.Over the years, Sharan didn't just integrate with Latin culture—he blended it with Indian sensibilities. In 2010, he became a board member of the university he once attended, and by 2017, the stars finally aligned when Costa Rican producer Teresa Rodriguez backed his ambitious plan: to make a full-blown Bollywood-style film in Spanish.The result was Enredados: La Confusión, a film bursting with songs, drama, love, and action—crafted with the flair of Bollywood and the rhythm of Latin cinema. Shot across India, Costa Rica, and Panama, it featured a massive cast of over 1,200 actors and extras from both worlds. But what truly grabbed headlines was the casting of wrestling legend and Hollywood actor Scott Steiner as the antagonist. Yes, the same Scott Steiner known for his towering physique and wrestling bravado was now donning a villain's cape in a Latin-Bollywood fusion flick.The film wasn't just a novelty; it was a cultural milestone. Enredados was hailed by both local audiences and diplomatic circles. The Costa Rican Film Commission called it a "landmark in Latin cinema," while Indian embassies across Central America threw their weight behind it. Ambassadors from Panama, Nicaragua, and El Salvador attended the premieres, applauding the film as a powerful example of cultural diplomacy.What Prabhakar Sharan achieved with Enredados was more than just cinematic crossover—it was cultural fusion in its truest sense. He became the first Indian citizen to direct and act in a Spanish-language Latin American film. In India, the movie was rebranded as 1 Chor 2 Mastikhor and slated for release in Hindi and Bhojpuri, further underlining his commitment to creating bridges between audiences.His contributions haven't gone unnoticed. Sharan has been honoured across the globe: from the Dehradun and Delhi film festivals to being named Best Debut Actor at the Los Angeles Film Festival. He's served on the judging panel for Miss India World USA and even been recognised by the Costa Rican government for his contributions to education and Indo-Latin cultural exchange.In a world increasingly obsessed with genres and geographies, Prabhakar Sharan is a refreshing anomaly. His story is proof that cinematic dreams know no boundaries—linguistic, cultural, or national. From the dusty lanes of Bihar to the cinematic corridors of Costa Rica, his journey is a reminder that belief, backed by persistence, can script stories the world never saw coming.And if your next Spanish film hero or villain feels like they've stepped straight out of a Bollywood set—don't be surprised. A Bihar-born filmmaker probably had something to do with it.
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