Mary Kom actor Bijou Thaangjam has also discussed his experience after Isha Talwar criticized Yash Raj Films (YRF) casting director Shanoo Sharma for the way she was auditioned. Isha left a remark on a video of Shanoo’s interview that was released on The Hollywood Reporter India’s Instagram page. In response to her comment, Bijou talked candidly with Shanoo about his “very first film audition” for Detective Byomkesh Bakshy.
Bijou Thaangjam Reveals Hurdle-Filled Early Audition
The discussion regarding ethics in casting has once again surfaced in Bollywood when actor Bijou Thaangjam revealed to the world his horrible experience at auditions with casting head Shanoo Sharma from Yash Raj Films.
This was in retaliation to Isha Talwar’s statement about casting couches asking emotional performances at restaurants with lots of people around. Known for having acted in Mary Kom, Bijou revealed that during his first film audition for Detective Byomkesh Bakshy, he was told to perform the same scene before a busy café in Mumbai.
He could not speak Hindi very well back then, yet he was keen on proving that he could make it as he refused and asked for a better setup with proper studio setup. A few days later, he finally received an invitation for a formal audition, which by then had turned into a commitment for Mary Kom.
Bijou played the part of Naobi in Omung Kumar’s 2014 film Mary Kom. In addition, Priyanka Chopra, Darshan Kumar, Sunil Thapa, Lin Laishram, and Kenny Basumatary were all included in the biographical sports movie.
Actor Bijou Thaangjam Backs Isha Talwar, Says He Faced Similar Audition Experience with Shanoo Sharma.
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About Bijou’s career
Shivaay, Jagga Jasoos, Paltan, Happy Phirr Bhag Jayegi, Vodka Diaries, III Smoking Barrels, Penalty and Rocketry: The Nambi Effect are among the films in which Bijou has starred in addition to Mary Kom. Additionally, he competed in MasterChef India 2, a reality food show.
The Test Case, Typewriter, Kark Rogue, Flesh, Love J Action, 1962: The War in the Hills and Aspirants are among the web series in which Bijou has appeared.
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Isha Talwar Account That Started Debate
In the original version of Isha Talwar, posted in response to a video interview Shanoo Sharma gave, she described how she was told to cry at an audition in a busy Versova restaurant. It was a “weird ask” that really hurt much of her amateurish confidence.
According to her, real sites should be arranged and paid for by the producers if ever real locations will be called for an audition. She stood her ground, turned down the offer of acting under those conditions, and thus missed her chance to star in that film-but she says she has no regrets about her refusal.
Bigger Picture in Bollywood Casting
Such shared experiences of Bijou and Isha go beyond individual auditioning’s and raise broader issues of respect, professionalism, and boundaries in the audition process. Directors and cast teams, perhaps, though aiming at casting versatility on the part of the actors, could redefine the use of out-public spaces from experimentation in creativity to mere unwanted discomfort.
Thattathin Marayathu (2012), a Malayalam film, was Isha’s first feature. She is well-known for her work on films like Article 15, Bangalore Days, Maine Pyar Kiya, and Gunde Jaari Gallanthayyinde. Additionally, she has contributed to web projects like Indian Police Force, Saas, Bahu Aur Flamingo, and Mirzapur.
Thus, fear of penalties for non-adaptation to such pressures has smashed a lot of realistic opportunities for aspirants in the industry. Bollywood is not the same as it used to be, but the likes of them bringing forth their voices only serve to stress the need for balanced audition practices that are dignified for performers yet emphasize the artistic demands behind them.
Casting ethics are hardly, but quite different from fresh, but this has renewed that interest with their candidness. If more actors speak, the whole industry will know there was something wrong-then, practically, at the end of all this, they will have to test talent purely on merit and not on the willingness to take some indifference.
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