Building Connections Through Art: The Vision Behind The Abstract Room

Sankalp Sharma hails from the business city of Surat, thus enterprising comes naturally to him. Though he only partially realised his dream of playing cricket at the highest level by competing at the state level, he found a new passion in arts and entrepreneurship. As the founder of The Abstract Room, a global social community dedicated to creating unique experiences around cinema, literature, and other forms of art, Sankalp has sharpened his skills in event curation and management, community engagement, social media and art criticism. He also carries some professional experience in creative production, podcasting and screenwriting. 

Currently, Sankalp is leading a branding and PR project at Ashoka University where he is managing the wide range of year-round activities planned to celebrate the university’s 10-year anniversary. 

Academically, Sankalp has completed his Bachelor’s in Management Studies and Marketing from Narsee Monjee College of Commerce and Economics, Mumbai, and then pursued the Young India Fellowship, a prestigious postgraduate liberal arts diploma from Ashoka University.

When not juggling two full-time jobs, you can find him working out, or diving into obscure films and books! 

What inspired you to start your venture, and what has the journey been like up to this point?

Growing up, I was not exposed to quality storytelling in the form of cinema, literature, music or poetry. This led to my perception being that they were unimportant and something that one must keep in the periphery of their life. I lacked the ability to think critically and articulate my thoughts on the things around me. It wasn’t until my college years that I felt the need to become socially aware. Stories became a unique and accessible way for me to learn more about the state of the world, myself and my emotions, and that of others. I felt the urge to share and discuss this newfound passion with others and sought avenues for the same. But to my dismay, I discovered a glaring absence of spaces where people could come together, explore stories and discuss them. I found the existing book and film clubs and debating societies to be exclusionary in more ways than one. My friends did not seem to share similar interests and I felt judged when I expressed my desire to delve into meaningful conversations about art, culture and society. 

Upon feeling the lack of a supportive community to nurture my fresh interests, I started an online platform called The Abstract Room. A sanctuary for individuals like me, who have an urge to explore the profound impact of storytelling and a yearning to discuss them without inhibition or fear of judgement.

Over the last 4.5 years, the community has gone global and has welcomed all those curious and empathetic minds who love to challenge assumptions, push their own intellectual boundaries and nerd out about the pleasure of discovering new and diverse stories! 

The Abstract Room journey has been as remarkable as it’s been resilient. It started as a zero-investment venture and has sustained itself since day one, attracting a thriving community that spans over 3,100 people across 15 countries, from 15-year-old students to retired professionals in their 70s. Launched during the COVID-19 pandemic as a purely online platform, The Abstract Room offered a safe space for people to unwind and connect through discussions on films, books, and art. Since then, it has flourished into nearly 400 online events and more than 30 in-person events across Mumbai, Pune, Surat, Haryana, and Uttarakhand. Our gatherings have evolved from intimate film and book discussions to a lively mix of open mics, screenings, artist interviews, quizzes, jamming sessions, and educational workshops. What started as an online refuge has transformed into a vibrant, global community for art, conversation, and creativity.

How has Ashoka’s interdisciplinary approach impacted your entrepreneurial mindset?

Through the Young India Fellowship’s Experiential Learning Module, I piloted a new vertical of The Abstract Room, designing film-based workshops for school and college students to impart crucial skills and life lessons. With a dedicated team, a seed fund of 25,000 INR, and structured mentorship, we developed five impactful workshops, engaging over 600 students from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds across three states. This hands-on experience not only provided me with an enterprising structure and solidified our approach but also earned us the ‘Best ELM Award’ for achieving meaningful impact and validating a model with promising growth potential.

How do you manage the challenges of juggling a venture with your academic responsibilities?

Balancing The Abstract Room with academics and work commitments has been challenging yet fulfilling. What keeps me going is the impact it’s had—members sharing how it helped them through tough times, built their confidence, or gave them an edge in university or job applications.

What positive impact does your venture aim to bring to the community or industry?

The Abstract Room was born from a desire to create a space where people could come together to explore and discuss stories freely, without judgment. What began as a small, weekly online meetup has evolved into a vibrant, global community—more than just a platform, it has become a family. In an era dominated by doom-scrolling, shallow consumption, and fleeting attention spans, we invite our members to pause, reflect, and truly engage with art. Through a shared love for cinema, literature, poetry, and music, we have built a community grounded in empathy, curiosity, and self-expression.

We aim to counter the disconnection, superficiality, and toxicity often found in online spaces, providing a welcoming place where diverse voices are heard, complex topics are explored, and genuine connections are made. The Abstract Room encourages members to look beyond simple opinions or social media soundbites, cultivating a deeper understanding and appreciation for different perspectives. Here, we give each member space to share, to engage, and to feel valued.

Our motto, ‘Pause for Art’, reflects our mission to help people connect through meaningful conversations and the restorative power of stories. It’s a place for rest, insight, and growth—a community that embraces vulnerability, celebrates creativity and upholds ideals that we hope to see more widely embraced in the world.

What guidance would you offer to students or alumni who are thinking about launching their own ventures?

Here’s my advice for students and alumni looking to start their own ventures:

1. Build a supportive team: Having dedicated people who share your vision is crucial, especially for times when you can’t be fully available.
2. Plan ahead: Map out tasks a week or two in advance and prioritize realistically. Control growth based on the time you can truly invest.
3. Delegate and automate: Empower others by setting up clear structures and processes.
4. Pay fairly: Even a small payment shows appreciation and professionalism.
5. Set realistic goals: Start your venture alongside other responsibilities, and only consider full-time commitment when financially sustainable for at least 6-8 months.
6. Learn from others: The best lessons often come from observing others’ successes and mistakes—don’t wait to learn only by making your own.
7. Document your journey: It’s rewarding to look back on how far you’ve come – do it through vlogs, reels, journals, blogs, whatever works for you. 

Creating something that serves others brings a deep sense of purpose and fulfilment, one that truly makes the journey worthwhile.