Casting director Shruti Mahajan reflects on her unconventional journey from HR to Hindi cinema and the instinct-driven craft of casting. She also highlights how evolving storytelling is creating stronger roles for women and rewarding talent over popularity
Shruti Mahajan
For casting director Shruti Mahajan, cinema was never meant to be a career. Growing up in a conventional middle-class household, films were seen purely as entertainment. “The only world that we understood was engineering, MBA. Those were the career choices one made during those days,” she recalls while talking to mid-day. Mahajan followed that expected path and completed an MBA in human resources. But somewhere along the way, she realised the corporate structure was not where she belonged. “I knew at some point of time that I'm not made to do a 9-5 job. It doesn't make me happy. And my true calling is cinema, theatre, watching movies, people management.”
An oustider who became one of the most successful casting director
Her journey began as a casting assistant at Yash Raj Films in 2012 — an experience she describes as an education in filmmaking.
“In that one year, I never went to a film school. It became a film school for me. I was on the job, I was learning on the job.”
Within months, she knew she had found her calling. “In a month's time, it made me happy. It made me breathe. It made me feel alive. That one month felt like I've lived a lifetime.”
After completing a year at the studio, Mahajan took the leap into independent casting. A few advertising assignments soon followed before an unexpected call changed everything.
“I got a call from Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s office. They were looking for a new casting director and rest is history.” Today, she is known for her work in films like Gangubai Kathiawadi, Rustom, Sarfira, Ground Zero, Bombay Begums, Padmaavat, Bajirao Mastani and many more.
Giving characters their ‘soul’
For Mahajan, casting is not simply about selecting actors. It is about translating a script into something emotionally real. “My goal is to always be authentic. Whether it is authentic to the script. And to be able to bridge the gap between a director's vision and the reality,” she says.
Every role, she believes, must carry emotional depth. “As a casting director, every character should have a soul and an emotional connect. I also cast from an audience point of view -what will make me enjoy watching this?”
When instinct meets uncertainty
Casting, Mahajan says, is like the HR department of the movie business where getting the right person for the role sets the tone of the film. But she is also finds it to be one of the most unpredictable aspects of filmmaking. “The only certainty about casting or filmmaking is uncertainty. Plan B is equally important for any technician.”
While the right actor may seem obvious on paper, real-world factors can change everything- chemistry between performers, schedules, budgets and timing. “Even after clearing all this, if your timing is not correct, then you have to move to Plan B.”
Unlike corporate hiring, casting has no fixed formula. “There is nothing by the book in this. This is my resume, this is my work experience and I am deserving- there is nothing like deserving in casting. You have to show up. You have to deliver each day. And you have to be honest with your craft.”
Breaking stereotypes on screen
As the industry evolves, Mahajan believes storytelling is becoming more mindful- particularly when it comes to female characters. “Earlier when women were cast they would only sing, dance, do item numbers or run around the trees. But now there are stories that are being created only for women.”
She credits audiences for driving that change. “Their appetite and exposure has gotten so much better that they do not want the run-of-the-mill. The audience has become very smart.”
Mahajan also points to a shift in how established actresses approach their careers today. “Now they are not looking at themselves as just heroines. They take themselves as actresses. As actors.”
She compares the change to Hollywood, where performers prioritise compelling roles over traditional star images. “When you see a Meryl Streep every time she comes out with a subject or a movie you don't see Meryl Streep, you see the character.”
That openness, she believes, is encouraging filmmakers to experiment. “Casting has changed. Storytelling has changed. It's giving us opportunities to experiment and think out of the box.”
Does social media followers matter for casting directors?
Mahajan believes that in today’s industry, talent ultimately outweighs visibility. “Not anymore. Talent matters and how honest you are to your craft and how passionate you are,” she says, adding that while social media popularity might sometimes open doors, it cannot sustain a career. “Even if you might get a role because of some social media presence or following, you can't sustain for too long. To be in the game and to get longevity, you have to have talent. There is no shortcut.”
Mahajan emphasises that audiences today are far more discerning. “You can't fool the audience anymore. They are very smart. They know what they want.”
Her advice to aspiring actors is simple: “Focus on your craft. Invest in your craft, more important is to get your inner depth.” She also stresses originality and resilience, noting that the journey can be difficult and solitary, making a strong support system and mental well-being crucial.
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