India’s Shruti Mahajan Decodes The Magic Of Casting Against Stereotype
Shruti Mahajan is an Indian casting director who has worked with filmmakers such as Sanjay Leela … More
Having started her journey with stalwarts like Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Prakash Jha, Indian casting director Shruti Mahajan has worked on many projects. In an exclusive interview, Mahajan explains the process of casting for films and shows; recalls her early days in the industry and reveals both Bhansali and Jha are open to creative suggestions.
Apart from the recent period drama Heeramandi The Diamond Bazaar, Mahajan has worked on the casting for various popular Bollywood projects including Bajirao Mastani, Gangubai Kathiawadi, Mary Kom, Chakravyuh, Lipstick Under My Burkha, Padman, Satyagraha, Ghoomer, The Big Bull, and Lust Stories 2. Mahajan believes that empathy helps in casting actors against stereotypes – a major factor that improves the experience of films and shows.
Shruti Mahajan Interview
The ensemble cast of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s digital debut, Netflix original Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar, was one that she brought on board. In her exclusive interview, Shruti Mahajan claims casting Alia Bhatt for Gangubai Kathiawadi was the shortest time ever that she took to finalize a lead actor for any Sanjay Leela Bhansali project. Ever since her debut project, Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela (2013), Mahajan has worked with Bhansali for more than a decade.
When Sanjay Leela Bhansali gave Shruti Mahajan her Bollywood break
Recalling her initial projects, Mahajan says, “My first film as an independent casting director were with Sanjay Leela Bhansali (Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela), and parallelly I got Prakash Jha’s Chakravyuh. They were both my first films because I got them simultaneously. Imagine somebody as new as me getting to work with these two legendary directors. I was this baby, just out of the school, totally in awe of the world of casting. My real challenge was that I was a newbie and had to live up to their expectations. I got to learn a lot from them.”
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Adding that she never had self-doubt even when starting in the industry, Mahajan recalls the 15-minute-long interview with Bhansali. “I clearly remember those 15 minutes were life-changing moments for me, the turning point in my life. The questions that Bhansali asked had me introspecting whether I was worth the opportunity. I was extremely nervous sitting in front of the director I had always wanted to work with. Perhaps, he saw my sincerity, passion and honesty, that’s why he hired me.”
She reveals: “Gangubai Kathiawadi was the fastest film that I have cast with Mr Bhansali, for him. It took us just one and a half month, which is unlike Bhansali.” She adds that the casting of Alia Bhatt for Gangubai Kathiawadi happened so fast, because the sets were ready, and Bhatt’s dates were also available.
Shruti Mahajan’s guide on casting for films and shows
Asked to explain how one functions as a casting director, Mahajan emphasizes on the need for empathy. “Not many of us have the ability to see and hear people. Women, naturally have empathy. We are able to listen and look at people for what they are. Empathetic reading of characters helps you understand them better, enabling you to scout for the perfect cast. Storytelling gets better when you cast people against the stereotypes. And that can only happen when you know a person and empathize with their journeys. Only an empathetic person can see a person’s potential beyond what meets the eye. It is important for casting directors to see people not only as actors but as individuals. It helps them cast against stereotypes, offering fresh perspectives and performances onscreen.”
Indian star Pooja Bhatt in a still from the Hindi web series ‘Bombay Begums’.
Mahajan says that giving actors a comfortable space by being empathetic to them helps them perform their best in auditions and further for the projects. She adds that aspiring casting directors must work with some senior casting directors to learn the ropes.
Mahajan believes casting against stereotypes always works wonders. “For example, if I get a brief to ‘cast an urban working woman’, the stereotype casting would be a very strong, independent and modern woman who wears shades and drives a car. Having met so many people and having seen their journeys, I know that is not the only type of strong woman in urban setups. An urban woman is very honest and is working every morning. She’s working to do a good job, not just to look good. When I cast Pooja Bhatt for Bombay Begums, it wasn’t for her fluent English but because of how she has evolved through the various phases and challenges of her life. You can feel her struggles.”
Mahajan says that she prefers to make notes for the scripts she gets before she even meets the director to understand their vision. She adds that the budget often becomes a major factor in deciding the cast. “Once my lead is sorted, that defines the level of the grandeur for the film (or show). We have multiple rounds of auditions, screening, shortlisting, and jamming. I have a database of actors, and we also keep scouting for fresh talent. Once the shortlist is done, then we share it with the director and discuss with them. The top few are then finalized and introduced to the director. It is then a discussion between the director and the casting director to take the final call.”
(This conversation has been edited and condensed for clarity.)
