Finding out new faces is definitely a very hard task: Casting Director Anurag Chawla

Starting as a theatre artiste and moving on to direction, Anurag Chawla had no idea what fate had in store for him. Currently working as a casting director with Spellbound Productions and bringing in a perfect cast in Doli Armaanon Ki, the man, who till today nurses his dream to be an actor, feels that life has different plans for everyone although the aim is just one and that is success. Anurag has also contributed to the casting of Mahabharat, Phulwa, Maan Rahe Tera Pitaah, Shapath, CID and Welcome. He has also made numerous popular advertisements. Excerpts from an entertaining tete-e-tete with the man. Could you tell us about your journey in the industry? Well, I am basically from Sahranpur, Uttar Pradesh, where I joined the Sri Ram Centre of Performing Arts in Delhi from where I did a two-year diploma in arts (acting). After passing out in 2003, I got associated with well-known theatre groups. I worked with a lot of people who were mostly from the National School of Drama (NSD) for as many as two years. Along with that I finished my B.Com course through correspondence. And then on 10 January, 2005 I came to Mumbai to try my luck here. Then… Here, with the help of some friends I joined Ehsan, who was also a NSD alumni and started doing workshops for actors. That was my first rendezvous with the TV industry as I worked with the actors of Choti Bahu and Bebo. Along with that I also started directing plays and was doing well enough when I got a call from Israni Communications where I worked as a visiting employee helping them out with acting or casting work. Soon my friend Sahil, who was working on the casting of Mahabharat (Swastik Productions), called me over to work along with him. For some time I was with them. Later, along with a friend of mine Sharmishta, I formed a company and we made loads of advertisements, corporate films and international ads too. Then how did casting happen again? Well, when I settled down a bit with my professional life, I got married. And then a friend of mine suggested me for Shapath. And then the big outing came with Life OK’s Welcome where I cast as many as 41 artistes as an independent casting director. Soon after that I joined Spellbound where I started casting for Pratigya 2 and after it wound up, did the same for Doli Armaanon Ki. So now you are settled as a casting director with a production house? Yes, I am really happy working for Pearl Ma’am (Grey) who is a very sincere person who recognizes and appreciates talent. When I see my name in the credits, it is of course a great feeling. Though I still want to be an actor, I did not want to let go such good opportunities. I am currently presenting my play Filmy Radha in Mumbai. My ultimate hope is to direct films and act once I am well settled in life. What are the basic qualities needed to be a casting director? The eye for recognition is very important and the quest to find out new faces everyday is a must too. I feel a good actor, who has a sense of direction, works best as a casting director. Today we see a lot of young people taking up this job… With the type of shows that are being dished out today, the new generation can understand and work on these better. Though it’s nothing to do with age, but a casting director’s work is very challenging and tiring. So, one needs to be proactive all the time. What according to you is the biggest challenge for a casting director? I feel finding out new faces is definitely a very hard task especially when you are doing an episodic, you have to get new faces and good actors every time. In daily shows you are quite sorted with your work as the main casting is locked in the beginning itself. Casting for an episodic, where you have to get 30 faces for one story gets too hectic indeed. Sometimes also the time given to us is very less. What matters most for an actor: talent or looks? See, of course, looks do matter, but I feel talent is the only thing that will take you places. Today shows are made according to scripts and some shows require normal looking actors, hence good actors can of course get a chance even if they are not very good looking. Have you ever faced tantrums of any actors? How do you handle it? Actors do throw tantrums and I have faced it a lot of times. But I know how to manage it well. A casting director should always maintain a line and not give room to make actors behave badly with them; it’s all about maintaining a respectful relation. Does casting couch exist? It does not exist in TV and ads and since I haven’t worked in films I cannot comment on that. What if you have complete faith in an actor and channel rejects him/her? If the production house has trust on you, your chosen actors do not get rejected. And most importantly a casting director’s job is not sending 100 audition clips but choose just a couple who should be so good that there would remain no room for rejection. A lot of actors complain about agents and coordinators involved in casting. What’s your take on that? Basically everyone is doing their jobs and we do not need them all the time. But then casting directors usually do not have database of new faces and thus have to depend on coordinators. And especially when we are looking for faces from different cities, how do you think we’ll manage? Sometimes we have to finalise 17 characters in a day; and don’t you think it is an impossible task to do and that too all alone. Actors also complain of casting directors not being approachable? That is purely a myth because we would be more than happy to get new faces. It’s just the type of approach that matters. How do freelance casting directors work? They usually work independently because they cannot tolerate the working structure of production houses. Sometimes they work in a part time capacity or maybe they want a peaceful personal life (smiles); it’s each for one in this business completely. Casting for which you are proud of? Well, I feel Doli Armaanon Ki has a beautiful and a perfect cast. And when people admire your work, it’s commendable. Who would have known that Mohit (Malik) could play a negative character this well? Thus this show is a matter of pride for me. Also bringing together 41 people for Welcome was a task I am proud of even today. Any show’s casting (other than his) that you enjoyed in recent times? I feel Qubool Hai had a good casting, but now it has gone through a lot of replacements. And what are your future plans? Well, for now I want to be with Spellbound for they are the best in the industry. I would definitely like to take up direction sometime later and as for casting for films is concerned, if it’s a good banner that requires good actors, I’ll be game for it.