Abhinav Shukla echoes Isha Talwar's claim: Shanoo Sharma told me I lacked spark

India Today

2 days ago

Television actor Abhinav Shukla shared that Yash Raj Films (YRF) casting director Shanoo Sharma told him he was good-looking but lacked spark. In an Instagram story on Monday, the actor said this happened just before the release of his film 'Roar' in 2014. He admitted that the incident left a lasting impression on him.His post came in response to a similar experience shared by actor Isha Talwar. Shukla also mentioned Talwar in her recent post to suggest that perceived setbacks can often lead to better opportunities.advertisementShukla wrote, "When my movie 'Roar' was slated to release back in the day, I was cajoled by my well-wishers to go meet Yash Raj Films' casting director. I did, and she told me: 'You are a good-looking guy, but that's it, The spark is missing, you can audition, but...'"
Shukla further said he faced a contrasting situation years later during the auditions for Sanjay Leela Bhansali's film 'Inshallah'. "Few years down the line, I was sitting face to face with Sanjay Leela Bhansali sir for his next 'Inshallah'. I remember he was all praise, all appreciative and asked me many times, 'How come you haven't worked so much? I saw the audition. You are super talented," Shukla wrote.Although the film 'Inshallah' was shelved, Shukla found the experience with Bhansali to be uplifting. He stated, "The movie got shelved, my destiny took a turn! @talwarisha I can relate, and I think insults are an opportunity to meet people who value your talent and time!"After 'Roar', the actor featured in films like 'Aksar 2' and 'Luka Chuppi.' However, he gained fame for his appearance in TV shows like 'Chotti Bahu', 'Ek Hazaaron Mein Meri Behna Hai', Diya Aur Baati Hum'. He also appeared in reality shows like 'Bigg Boss 14', 'Khatron Ke Khiladi 11'. He is currently seen in the show 'Pati Patni Aur Panga' alongside his wife Rubina Dilaik.Meanwhile, Talwar earlier criticised casting director Shanoo Sharma over an unusual audition demand. The 'Mirzapur' actor revealed that she was asked to perform a crying scene in a crowded restaurant. She said this experience shattered her confidence.In a comment under a post by a publication, Talwar wrote, "So when I started auditioning for roles with Shanoo...I was told to perform a scene at a restaurant called Mia Cucina in Versova, Bombay... a CRYING scene in the middle of a busy working restaurant with customers dining next to my table... I was told I should have no inhibitions as an actor and hence I should be able to do a crying scene with Shanoo sitting in front of me and some of her assistants... it was such a confusing/weird ask (sic)."The 37-year-old actor further mentioned that she had refused to do the audition.advertisementSharma is known for discovering talents like Ranveer Singh and Parineeti Chopra for films made under the Yash Raj Films banner.The casting director was recently credited for auditioning actors - Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda, who were the main leads in director Mohit Suri's blockbuster 'Saiyaara'.- EndsMust Watch