Durban-born actor gears up for 'Sugar Cane Boy' release while pursuing acting projects in Los Angeles

Ashish Misra is celebrating a major milestone in his acting career with the upcoming release of Sugar Cane Boy, a film he describes as a powerful South African story with universal appeal.

The 29-year-old, born and raised in Reservoir Hills in Durban and now living in Los Angeles, California, said audiences were in for an emotional and inspiring cinematic experience.

“This project has been a long journey. So much heart, hard work, and passion went into bringing it to life. Knowing that audiences will finally experience the story is rewarding and humbling. As an actor, there is no greater feeling than seeing a story you have helped tell, connect with people,” said Misra. 

The film will premiere at Suncoast CineCentre in Durban on July 2 and will release on July 10. 

Misra plays one of the film’s leading roles: the adult character Ruen Murugappa. 

Misra said he was immediately drawn to the project's authenticity and emotional depth.

“It tells a uniquely South African story while exploring universal themes: family, resilience, identity, and hope. Those are the kinds of stories that transcend borders and stay with audiences long after the credits roll. 

"Without giving too much away, my character faces significant challenges and must navigate difficult circumstances while holding on to his dreams and sense of self. Audiences can expect a character who is relatable, imperfect, and deeply human. His journey is emotional, inspiring, and at times heartbreaking.”

As the film prepares for release, Misra admits to feeling a mixture of excitement and anticipation.

“Excitement outweighs the nerves, but whenever you pour so much of yourself into a project, there’s always some anticipation. Ultimately, I am grateful and excited for audiences to finally see the film and form their own connection with it.”

Unfortunately, demanding filming commitments in the US may prevent Misra from attending the South African premiere.

“I would have loved to be there, but due to a very demanding filming schedule across June and July, it’s looking unlikely that I’ll be able to attend the premiere in person.

“It is disappointing because South Africa will always be home. One of the things I was looking forward to most was experiencing the film alongside my mum, dad, and sister. After everything they have sacrificed and the support they have given me throughout this journey, sharing that moment with them would have been incredibly special.”

Before pursuing acting full-time, Misra built a successful career in technology, computer science, and management. He spent seven years in the corporate sector before deciding to chase his dream.

“I have always loved storytelling, even while working in technology. I spent seven years building a successful career in computer science and management, but there was always a part of me that wondered what would happen if I pursued my passion for acting.”

That curiosity eventually became impossible to ignore.

“Eventually, I realised I would regret not trying more than I would regret failing. That realisation gave me the courage to take the leap.”

A pivotal moment came in 2022 when Misra filmed three Netflix productions in just 35 days while still maintaining his full-time corporate responsibilities.

“During the day I was managing projects and responsibilities in the banking world. Whenever I could, I was stepping on to film sets and living a completely different life as an actor,” he recalled.

When filming ended, Misra had an unexpected realisation.

“For several days afterwards, I genuinely missed being on set. I missed the creative energy, the collaboration, the storytelling, and the feeling of bringing characters to life. It felt like a part of me had suddenly been switched off. That was the moment I knew acting was not just something I enjoyed, it was something I wanted to dedicate my life to.”

Rather than limiting himself to opportunities in South Africa, Misra set his sights on Hollywood.

“But I also knew I did not want to wonder for the rest of my life what could have happened if I had pursued the dream at the highest level. Hollywood has always been the dream.”

Leaving behind a successful corporate career was not easy.

“Without question, the financial sacrifice was the biggest challenge. I had spent years working my way up the corporate ladder and had built a comfortable life. I had a stable career, financial security, medical aid, and the kind of structure that most people spend years trying to achieve.”

Starting over in a new country meant leaving certainty behind.

“The reality is that when you pursue acting professionally, especially in a new country, you essentially start from scratch. Nobody cares what title you held in your previous career. Nobody knows your achievements. You have to earn your place all over again.”

Misra described the move to Los Angeles as a daily commitment to believing in himself.

“Moving to Los Angeles meant leaving behind certainty and stepping into an industry where there are no guarantees. It meant investing in training, relocating across the world, and betting on myself every single day.”

Despite the challenges, he never lost sight of the bigger picture.

“There were moments where it would have been easier to return to the safe option, but I kept reminding myself that growth rarely happens inside your comfort zone. The risk was significant, but the possibility of living a life without regret was worth even more.”

Misra said his ultimate ambition was to compete at the highest level of the film industry and represent South Africa on the global stage.

“My goal has never been simply to become a working actor. My goal is to become one of the best actors I can possibly be and, hopefully one day, to become South Africa’s first male Oscar winner. That’s a dream that inspires me every day.”

His efforts have already yielded important breakthroughs.

“One of the biggest milestones for any actor in Hollywood is securing strong representation, and I am fortunate to have achieved that. I am represented for film and television by a Hollywood talent agency, while also having separate commercial representation.”

Misra credits his resilience for helping him reach this stage.

“Those opportunities did not happen overnight. It came through consistent work, resilience, and a willingness to keep showing up even when the odds seemed stacked against me. I am still at the beginning of my journey, but every step forward reinforces the belief that hard work and perseverance eventually open doors.”

He already has his sights set on future projects, including a major lead role.

“One project I can mention is a feature film called The Perfect Mask, where I play the lead role. It is a project backed by a major studio and one that I’m incredibly excited about because I believe it represents another significant step in my career.”

While several additional projects remain under wraps, Misra says his mission remains clear.

“What excites me most is the opportunity to continue representing South Africa on an international stage and showing that South African talent belongs at the highest levels of the entertainment industry.”

For now, however, his focus remains firmly on the release of Sugar Cane Boy.