There was a time when casting for roles depended on the whims and fancies of the director or even the male actor in the movie. However, things are changing now. Casting directors are fast gaining prominence in the scheme of things in Bollywood.


From left: Jogi Malang, Shruti Mahajan, Mukesh Chhabra and Atul Mongia. Pics/Shadab Khan 

Things have changed quite a bit since the last few years, as casting experts have entered the Bollywood scene and one can already see the sea change that their choices of actors for particular roles have brought to the screen. Naturally, then, for struggling actors who would park themselves outside producers' offices, it's the casting director's pads they head to now.