Actor Isha Talwar, known for her work in films and web series, recently shared a strange memory from her early days in the industry. She spoke about one of her first auditions with YRF’s casting director Shanoo Sharma, which took place in a setting she never expected.
Manipuri actor Bijou Thaangjam shares his experience
After Isha’s comment went viral, Manipuri actor Bijou Thaangjam decided to share his own similar experience. Known for his role in Priyanka Chopra’s 2014 film ‘Mary Kom’, Bijou said his first-ever film audition was also with Shanoo Sharma.
It was for ‘Detective Byomkesh Bakshy!’, the film that featured the late Sushant Singh Rajput. At the time, Bijou said he was not confident and wasn’t fluent in Hindi, but still wanted to try.
Audition in front of a café
He recalled, “I hear you! My very first film audition was with her, for Byomkesh Bakshy.I wasn’t fluent in Hindi, not very confident, but hopeful to give it my best. And just like your experience, I was asked to perform a scene right in front of a café, the one that used to be called Bru World, Yari Road. I didn’t give in. A few days later, her assistant called me back for a proper studio audition. But by then, I had already signed Mary Kom.”
What did Isha Talwar say?
Taking to comments section of Instagram post of a publication, she revealed, “When I started auditioning for roles with Shanoo, I was told to perform a scene at a restaurant called Mia Cucina in Versova, Bombay… a CRYING scene in the middle of a busy working restaurant with customers dining next to my table.” Isha added, “I was told I should have no inhibitions as an actor and hence, I should be able to do a crying scene with Shanoo sitting in front of me and some of her assistants (sic).”
Isha’s confidence was shaken by unusual request
The actress admitted that the request was “such a confusing/weird ask” and that it affected her deeply. “It shattered my confidence as a young girl in films… I couldn’t understand why a senior casting director needed to put a young girl through this?” she wrote.She went on to say, “It’s only fair that an actor is given a good casting office space to be able to audition in, or if you want to do a real location then hire a spot, pay for it and audition! (sic).”
