In this exclusive episode of InFocus on The Hollywood Reporter India, host Anupama Chopra sits down with Shanoo Sharma, the legendary casting director at Yash Raj Films who has discovered and nurtured some of Bollywood’s biggest stars. With nearly two decades of experience, Shanoo Sharma opens up about her journey of discovering talent like Ranveer Singh, Parineeti Chopra, and Arjun Kapoor, while offering unprecedented insights into the meticulous process behind launching newcomers in the Hindi film industry. The conversation takes a deep dive into her latest triumph with the blockbuster film Saiyaara, which marked the debuts of Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda under director Mohit Suri’s vision.
Throughout this candid conversation on The Hollywood Reporter India’s InFocus, Shanoo Sharma reveals the challenges of keeping faith over nine years while grooming Ahaan Panday for his eventual debut, the instant chemistry she felt with Aneet Padda, and her unique philosophy of treating casting as a maternal profession. She shares fascinating anecdotes about working with Aditya Chopra, the importance of watchability in actors, and why she believes in looking for talent everywhere—from Instagram to wedding celebrations. This rare interview offers aspiring actors invaluable advice while showcasing the woman whose keen eye for talent has shaped modern Bollywood.
#ShanooSharma #bollywood #saiyaara
0:00 Introduction
2:12 Magical response to Saiyaara’s release
6:01 “I’m not going to let them go”
8:04 Keeping faith over 9 years with Ahaan
9:03 Aditya Chopra’s faith in Ahaan during pandemic
11:10 Training Ahaan during COVID with Railway Men
14:21 Aneet Padda’s journey from Vijay 69 casting
16:08 “I have gold in my hand”
19:19 Process that got Mohit Suri to warm up to Aneet
21:22 “Back to work, back to training” advice post-success
24:32 Keeping newcomers away from media strategy
26:05 First day 20 crore opening reactions
28:45 “I wait for that same physical feeling”
33:56 Finding Vishal Jethwa for Mardaani 2
35:31 Ranveer Singh’s exit – “There’s no bad blood”
39:00 Nature of stardom has changed
44:05 “I’m perpetually looking”
47:38 Anyone ignored by team faces “calamity”
52:00 Hunger and dedication impress her most
56:16 Future homemaker dream and personal life
1:00:02 Aditya Chopra as only client
1:04:09 Never took a vacation in 18 years
#InFocusTHRIndia #ShanooSharmaYRF #BollywoodCasting
Aww I just love this women. C is soooo me.
I wish I had shanoo as my friend, she has such a great vibe
It started with Deepika and now this Aneet…So far bollywood has fallen from Madhubala days. Lets hope they get some non-surgical pretty girls soon. There are plenty of Sridevi and Madhuri out there.
Maybe lets give credit where its due…Ahaan’s ethic as a performer was outstanding in Saiyaara. Nepo kid or not it was hard work lets not take that away.
11:26 what 😂😂
By the way, what are you doing here ???
Are you the casting director ???
Who gave you that job ???
Diane Pandey.???
Did she produced the movie ???
Is Yash Raj films having any money to produce a movie ???
Ahaan Pandey never broke down. He never cried in his entire life. Do, he is straight.
What logic is this ???
What are you trying to prove ???
You can fool others.
Not me 😔.
Sochna bhi mat.
Sochna bhi mat ki tum ko main casting director samjhun ???
Samjhe ???
Title ” ahaan never broke in … Years. He waited ”
Are you with him 24/ 7…. 365 days in a year to se if he breaks down ( cry 😭😢 ) or not ???
Great