I have put in 100 percent in everything that I have been associated with: Neha Pandey (Casting Director)

DJ’s A Creative Unit’s casting director Neha Pandey is a chirpy young girl who has reached the position she holds now on the strength of her sheer hard work. Having worked in more than half a dozen shows, the lady dreams to make it big in Bollywood someday. We spoke to the hard working woman for our ‘Behind the Lens’ section. A lowdown. When and how did you begin your journey in the glam world? Having started with DJ’s in 2010, I am very much a part of this company even today. I know people keep switching places but I prefer staying back because DJ’s has given me a lot. It is here that I have learnt a lot and also grown as a professional. Did you always want to be associated with the TV industry? Sincerely speaking I never ever thought about any of this. In fact, I wanted to be a copywriter but then I interned as an associate casting director with Miditech while still in college. So when I moved out of college, I started looking out for work and during this time my ex-boss asked me if I’d like to join him. It’s because he had liked my work during my internship period. That’s when I joined him again but since he had joined DJ’s by then, my first job was at DJ’s. Shows you have worked on so far? The shows that I have worked for are Choti Bahu- Season 2, Baat Hamari pakki Hai, Maryada – Lekin Kab Tak?, Aise Karo Na Vida, Dharampatni, Sanjog Se Bani Sangini, Meri Bhabhi and Ek Mutthi Aasmaan. You started as an associate and today you’re the casting director. Is this sheer luck or hard work? It has been a lot of hard work. I’ve worked day and night and have put in my 100 per cent in everything that I have been associated with. Be it casting for a two day cameo or the main lead, I have given my hundred per cent to all of it. How tough is it to convince actors to take up certain roles? You usually know when an actor would pick up a particular role. The convincing part is important when it comes to newcomers for they are just too unsure of what they want to do. Since we mainly talk to newcomers, I have to advice them to take up the roles that come their way. Waiting for a lead role shouldn’t be their priority for by doing any role that comes their way they’d get to show their acting skills to the world only if they are visible on screen. Haven’t you ever felt like moving out of this profession? (smiles) No; I love my job; I find it very interesting. I love auditioning people. There have been times when I haven’t had time to breathe. Sometimes, I have been under immense pressure to meet deadlines but the thought of quitting has never crossed my mind yet. What’s next for you? Right now I am busy with casting for TV shows. But for the future, I’d like to work as a casting director for films.