People in the industry respect me for my ability to think differently - Casting Director Vivek Joshi

Vivek Joshi has a penchant for acting, but his work as Casting Director holds much more prominence for him. The man feels that he is pretty much confident about the unique cast that he can usually offer for a TV show or film. Being part of the National Award winning Producer Madhur Bhandarkar’s team for a while now, he casts for the biggies in his films. On TV, Vivek has given some memorable casting options in the long-running show on Sony Entertainment Television, CID. Also, Vivek is casting for Rowdy Rascals Productions’ upcoming romantic thriller for Star Plus titled Ishq Kills. Here is the man in conversation with Tellychakkar.com for our special segment ‘Behind the Lens’… Tell us about your casting experience with Producer and Director Madhur Bhandarkar… I have been in the industry for 8 years now. And I started my work with Madhur long back as a co-ordinator. I have cast the lead faces in his movies ‘Heroine’ and ‘Dil Toh Bacha Hai Jee’. Even now, when he is making a movie, he gives me the first preference to bring in the lead faces. I enjoy casting for movies. It is a completely different experience altogether. We have heard that you enjoy acting too… Yes, I love to act. I have played the choreographer of Simar in Sasural Simar Ka. In the movie Heroine, I played the journalist friend to Kareena Kapoor. In simple words, I like to act and will love to do it side by side. So what is it that you like casting for the most? Casting for episodics in TV is very challenging. How different is casting for TV and movies? In movies, you usually have a free hand, and get what you want. But in TV, you have many people to please before your option gets selected. The director, producer and the channel will have their own say in casting. And in TV, you need to keep ready 10 options before your character gets locked. So on the whole, I feel casting for a movie is easier when compared to television. What are your immediate plans in movies? Well, I will be casting for Baba Films’ next movie. Also when Madhur’s next film is ready, I will be into it. Tell us about Rowdy Rascals’ next project for TV, Ishq Kills? See, I am not entitled to speak about the show as of now. All that I can say is that it will be a romantic thriller, and will feature love stories which people have not seen so far. It is a unique show, and will be promoted in a big way. I am on the lookout to casting interesting faces from both TV and films. Is there a difference with which you cast for TV and movies? See, in a serial the faces are more or less the same. However, in films the thought process is very different. With experience, I have gained the knowledge of coming up with few options as soon as I get a briefing on the characters. My aim always is to give a chance to newcomers in movies. And for TV, I prefer to get people who have made it big on the big screen. In today’s scenario, TV has grown leaps and bounds and there are quite a lot of movie actors who are waiting for a good opportunity to try their luck in TV. So I will want to get such faces on small screen. Are you involved in the casting of the episodes produced by Rowdy Rascals for Savdhan India? No, but I will love to take up the opportunity as the new season of Savdhan India is challenge in itself. I will like to bring some known names from movies to anchor our episodes. What do you want to be known as in future? My aim is to get a good name as Casting Director. I want people to watch my shows for the faces I have cast. What about your future in acting? Aah, I am open to acting in good roles. I recently acted in one of the episodes of Ishq Kills in a small yet important character. However, casting is my priority. How is Vivek Joshi different from the big ocean full of casting directors? The confidence with which I give out options makes me different. I have always got ‘hatke’ options in my kitty and this is where I stand out from the rest. Usually, a casting person can offer either a good face or an actor. But I always go for a good face along with great acting skills. I am very choosy about the kind of work I do. I get offered quite a lot of movies and TV shows, but I choose to do only a select few. People in the industry respect me for my ability to think differently. I am happy and satisfied in my profession as I share a good rapport with all actors in the industry. The best part is that I have never got a negative feedback for the actors I have cast.