Last Updated:August 08, 2025, 10:06 IST
In a detailed comment, Isha recounted an audition scenario that left her shaken. She was asked to perform a crying scene in the middle of a crowded restaurant.
Isha Talwar slams YRF casting director Shanoo Sharma.
Actress Isha Talwar, known for her acclaimed roles in Mirzapur, Saas Bahu Aur Flamingo, and Article 15, has spoken out against a bizarre and uncomfortable audition experience she had with YRF casting director Shanoo Sharma. Isha took to social media to share her story and offer advice to newcomers in the industry.
In a detailed comment under a publication’s post, Isha recounted an audition scenario that left her shaken. She was asked to perform a crying scene in the middle of a crowded restaurant, Mia Cucina in Versova, Mumbai, surrounded by real diners and waitstaff.
“I was told I should have no inhibitions as an actor and hence should be able to cry at a table with Shanoo and her assistants watching me,” Isha wrote. Calling the experience “confusing and weird,” she added that it “shattered [her] confidence as a young girl in films.”
A screenshot of Isha Talwar’s comment.
Isha questioned the logic behind such an unprofessional setting, saying a casting director should either provide a proper space for auditions or pay for a controlled location. Ultimately, she refused to perform under those circumstances and, as she noted, did not get the role. But she has no regrets.
“At least I didn’t give in to the weird ask and surely didn’t cry at a restaurant for a role!” she wrote, ending her post with the hashtag #DignityFirstAlways.
This revelation has sparked discussions about professionalism and boundaries within casting processes in Bollywood, especially for newcomers trying to find their footing.
Meanwhile, Shanoo Sharma has been in the spotlight for launching Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda in YRF’s upcoming film Saiyaara. In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter India, Shanoo shared how she discovered Ahaan at the age of 19, calling him “intriguing” and saying she knew right away they’d work together.
“He was 19 when we met, but he looked 15! I spotted a post of him online and reached out,” she revealed.
Shrishti Negi is a journalist with over eight years of experience in the media industry. She leads the Entertainment desk at News18.com. She writes breaking news stories, generates feature ideas, edits copies, …Read More
Shrishti Negi is a journalist with over eight years of experience in the media industry. She leads the Entertainment desk at News18.com. She writes breaking news stories, generates feature ideas, edits copies, … Read More
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