Next! Deepna Kumar talks about the enigmatic world of casting directors!

"Enter this field only if you have an eye for it," exclaims Deepna.

Published: Tuesday,Mar 15, 2016 14:55 PM GMT-06:00

Shachi Tapiawala Rathod

They are rarely interviewed. Few people outside theater, film and TV know who they are. Yet casting directors' rank among the most influential operators in the show business!

Lets' put it this way, Casting directors are the gatekeepers. If they don't know your potential, it is impossible to bag an appropriate role in a film, TV or and ad. As the person, who finds the right actors for any medium.. be it theater, Television, adverts or films, they stand between every young actor and that big break!

Today, let's hear Deepna Kumar shed some insight on her role as a Casting Director at Lost Boy Productions.

Deepna, what are your roles and responsibilities as a Casting Director at Lost Boy Productions? Also, could you throw some light on your journey in this field?

Casting the right face for the assigned character, within a stipulated time assigned to us.

I have done a course excelling in Film and Television Production in Delhi. I thereafter, started applying for jobs and I received a call from YRF, where I was interviewed by Shanoo Sharma. No aspirant would miss out on an opportunity like this and I took up this offer within a blink of an eye, as an Assistant Casting Director. I worked there for 14 months and after freelancing for a year, I thought of exploring more of television. I joined Lost Boy Productions in January 2015 and I currently cast for 'Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya' and some more projects which are in the pipeline.

Any specific problems you encounter while casting?

Well, people say that actors are difficult to deal with at times, but in my view or atleast of whom I have cast so far... none of them have been a problem.

What are your work timings?

The objective of coming to office is not to be at work but to get the work done. My schedule is pretty flexible and I mostly work from 12 to 8 pm.

What criteria do you keep in mind while casting?

It depends on the character...

According to you, which show has the best casting?

From a host of the shows I have cast, I think Warrior High has been the best so far. Speaking about others, &TV has an upcoming show 'Meri Awaz Hi Meri Pehchaan Hai'. I think the cast is very ambitious.

You have cast aspirants for TV as well as films. What is more interesting to you?

Casting for television is an on-going process and it does not grant enough time to certify if the actor will do justice to the assigned character, whereas films are interesting as it leverages an opportunity for the casting department to explore and audition more actors.

Parting message:

Enter this field only if you have an eye for it!

It is an upcoming field but do not consider it as a stepping stone to become an actor. You would probably make a lot of contacts and get an opportunity too but one should always be committed towards his or her profession.

Shachi Tapiawala Rathod