Shruti Mahajan, casting director opens up on casting Neena Gupta For ‘Lust Stories 2’
Shruti Mahajan, casting director opens up on casting Neena Gupta For ‘Lust Stories 2’
Shruti Mahajan, casting director in a conversation with the writer, discussed the decision to cast Neena Gupta as a grandmother and also threw light on her other projects, including the highly anticipated Sanjay Leela Bhansali directorial ‘Heeramandi”.
The movie features Aditi Rao Hydari, Sonakshi Sinha, Manisha Koirala, and Richa Chadha in crucial roles.
Acclaimed directors of the Indian Film Industry, R Balki, Konkona Sen Sharma, Sujoy Ghosh, and Amit Ravindernath Sharma collaborated on this sequel to the Emmy-nominated “Lust Stories” (2018), dwelving into themes of sex, desire, and love through short films.
Although, the anthology film has garnered a positive response, what surprises everyone is Neena Gupta’s portrayal of a quirky grandmother in the
R. Balki’s segment.
Having worked with Mr. Balki for a significant period, their collaboration has resulted in a strong working relationship and understanding. He is a director who appreciates unconventional choices and welcomes suggestions. Collaborating with him is a joy, as they had an engaging brainstorming session to create relatable characters representing urban India. Their aim was to keep the portrayals authentic and enjoyable, whether it was the female side of the family or the parents of the male character.
Neena Gupta’s stunning looks and youthful charm make it difficult to believe she could convincingly portray a grandmother. She seems to age in reverse like Benjamin Button.
In the past, Neena was seen in simple, motherly roles on screen. Amid casting discussions or sessions, Neena’s name cropped up, and Balki was ecstatic on the idea of her playing a quirky and funny grandmother. According to Balki, only Neena could deliver the humorous dialogues with the uber-coolness that the character required.
As a casting director, does Shruti feel pressure to find the right actors who can convey the essence of the director’s vision?
As per Shruti, If you view your job as a source of pressure, then you are not truly enjoying it. The key is to have fun and find joy in what you do. She approachs each project as a thrilling challenge because she loves facing challenges and personally invest herself in most of her work, striving to understand the director’s vision and bringing out the best in each character. Until she receives the green light from the director, Shruti persistently explores various options.
On her upcoming projects, particularly ‘Heeramandi.’ It is highly anticipated, and some actors are taking on new roles. Can you share some insights?
Mr. Bhansali is known for his expertise in creating grand and extraordinary productions. ‘Heeramandi’ will undoubtedly set new benchmarks for OTT platforms. The recent unveiling of the cast indicates the grandeur that awaits. Mr. Bhansali aimed to transport us back in time, presenting us with timeless beauties who would perfectly fit his magnum opus. We hope that the audience will appreciate and enjoy his vision and grandeur, as much as I have enjoyed casting for this project.
On how much does the director has in finalizing the actors for a project, Shruti mentions that
directors are the captains of the ship. Her role is to assist and support their vision. It is a blessing to collaborate with talented directors. Ultimately, our shared goal is to create a good film that remains true to the script. She finds immense satisfaction when her casting choices make her directors happy, and when the film is well-received by the audience.
Every director has their own working style, and over time, a certain rapport and understanding are built.
This rapport greatly aids in the casting process. Working with directors like Prakash Jha, Raj Mehta, Raj Kumar Gupta, or Alankrita Shrivastav is vastly different, as each has their unique approach. It is crucial to respect their individuality. Directors appreciate collaboration and value the experience of casting directors.
As casting director, Shruti believes, is an amalgamation of directorial vision and casting expertise. It is a director’s medium, but the casting director’s input and experience are always welcome. Directors strive to do everything necessary to give their best and bring the film together. It is a balanced mix of both.
News input KV Raman
