Casting Director Shadman Khan Reveals TV Industry's Dirtiest Secrets In An Exclusive Chat

A casting director has to pay attention to the character details and make sure that the person he or she is auditioning for the role absolutely fits the bill and this thought is reinstated by a casting director in a chat with  HT Desimartini's Sandip Pal. Do you know why? It is because whoever the casting director zeroes in on will finally make it to the producer’s table and then it depends on the producer! Therefore, it is actually a job that requires a big level of scrutiny. It is not to be belittled and forgotten. Unfortunately, the case is quite the reverse in the television industry today. Some actors who have been given the first break of their lives by the casting directors barely even recognise them, forget about being cordial with them.

Equations change at a rapid pace in the glamour industry and therefore no one can be pin pointed at! And if at all you do, the reply is – “That’s the norm.”

There are several casting directors in the industry, some feel it is an easy way into the industry. Which is why at times this profession is looked upon by a lot many as fake, but at the same time there are a handful who have carved a niche for themselves in the industry and people know them by their name. They have contracts with big production houses and their reputation is all that is required for getting a role! Shadman Khan is one such dedicated casting director. He is one of the few names in the industry who is loved and spoken about positively. He has cast for a lot many serials and some of the newbie actors he has dealt with have gone on to become big names in the TV industry. Shadman Khan is no oldie, he is a guy in his mid-twenties and he is conjuring up a storm in the casting industry already. Well, this youngster already has a casting agency in his name.

Shad, are you listening?

In a heart of hearts conversation, he spoke at length about his beginnings, his confusions and his love and hate relationship with the work he does.

Excerpts from the interview:

Tell me how did casting suddenly happen to you?

It all started in the year 2014, when I seeked help from a friend of mine and I expressed my desire to be in the industry and suggested of he could get me some work of casting etc. At that point in time I wasn’t quite sure of what it would end up being because there was no casting scenario as such. But gradually I went on to work with Balaji Telefilms and then with some help from a friend I got myself an office in one of the Mumbai suburbs. It was going pretty good for a year until I went to Lucknow to attend a wedding. Once I returned from there, things here died down. The bond between the production houses and me was not there anymore. Post that I joined Rashmi Sharma Telefilms where I worked for around 5 to 6 months after which I joined Spice Productions which used to make Crime Patrol. After that it was Purple Canvas that produced the Show Man Mein Hai Vishwas, I did the cast for the show and returned to Balaji when Chandra Nandini was happening. After that I did two big films, but somehow, I wasn’t satisfied because I wanted to work independently which is why I again got myself a new office. At that point in time because I was just starting, I just had around 3 to 4 sources but today after around one and a half years almost 45 sources are there.

How does the casting thing actually happen? Tell me the inside story.

To be true the casting arena is pretty complicated. I cast for all the characters, be it a lead role or the normal character roles. But at times, the production houses make sure that they have an assortment of actors ready (Actors of their own choice). They give us the names of the actors and want us to audition them. We make sure we carry out the look test and send the end results to the respective production houses. Then they take a call. Some channels which are not big enough want new people because they will be a part of the series for peanuts. They avoid established faces.

Do you think casting is a thankless job?

Yes, it is a thankless job. I can tell you names of actors and actresses who I have cast in serials and today they have made a name for themselves in the industry but they never acknowledge my contribution. On the contrary there are people who do as well.

But why do they do behave that way? I mean if they get established in a particular role and even receives an award for it, onstage why would he or she refrain to take the name of the casting director and thank the producer and production house instead?

You are absolutely right! They don’t do that. Some of them have no gratitude. They feel it is because of the producers that they have achieved what they have. They become completely oblivious to the fact that it was because of our recommendation that the producers even thought them to be apt for the particular role in the first place otherwise none of the producers have the time to check each and every audition and then zero in on the perfect face! Do they know you personally? For instance, Yami Gautam who was from television was auditioned by our people but today she gives us cold shoulders. She started from television. Today if in case there is an emergency and we call her, she doesn’t even answer! There was a show for triangle productions which she was part of. After initial rejections she went back to her hometown. The casting people, went to her place and spoke to her parents and placated them so that she could be brought back to Mumbai. And today, she has forgotten them.

How is the industry? How does it think? Is there a lot of external show?

I’ll talk about actors. Trust me, there is a lot of external show with the TV actors. They must be staying in some rented one room tenement with five other guys but when they are seen publicly, one look at the clothes and you feel as though they are worth in thousands but on the contrary, if you look into their pockets, they won’t even have the money to buy proper food! In their hometown perhaps, they have not even been to any other place other than a ‘chaay Ka dhaaba’ but here you will spot the same people, sitting in Starbucks with the latest iPhone in hand! That’s just plain show-off! Because in TV it is required, you have to look good all the time otherwise you won’t get work. Having said that, there still is hope, at times what happens is, even of you do not look good but you have the acting talent in you, you still get good and meaty character roles that have a long continutiy span.

What if some people are not good looking but are great actors?

No, even if they are good actors but do not have the looks, they do not get work. If you are rubbish actor but you look good, you will get work. That’s TV for you! Having said that, there still is hope, at times what happens is, even of you do not look good but you have the acting talent in you, you still get good and meaty character roles that have a long continutiy span.

So, what is the main things required for a person to fall under the good-looking category in TV?

Well, you have to have a good face, you have to fair, you have to have a jawline, you have to be smart and tall, even though being tall is not that stringent a criterion.

But when I am talking about external show, I am also hinting at the character perspective – i.e. do you feel that a TV actor at times projects himself or herself in a certain way even if her or she is not that way in reality (character wise)?

Oh Yes, absolutely! Look, everyone here has to maintain an image and that’s what they do. There are actors who have worked in successful serials and in one point in time they used to be paid Rs 40,000 on a daily basis. Their lifestyle too reflects that and gradually the actor or actress gets used to that luxury. Now, if for any reason the show they were playing the lead character in goes off air, they will not have access to Rs 40,000 on a daily basis anymore but they still have to keep maintaining their lifestyle so that people don’t judge them. Which means they, who once used to travel by a Mercedes cannot travel by an autorickshaw just because they do not have the money. They have to continue doing that for the fear of what people might say. What if people tell them “Dekh bhikhari Ho Gaye Hai” (look they have become paupers). They have to maintain a constant image in the public eye. In a bid to do that, they go astray! They start doing jobs that we don’t really talk about in the open (both guys and girls) and unfortunately their parents don’t know a thing about it; they lose themselves!

So, tell me what’s next?

As of now, I am just done producing a music video and now the edit is in process and besides that the regular casting work is still on. There is also a fashion show in the line that I am doing. It will be in collaboration with one of the biggest fitness brands. This fashion show will also be a podium for new models and want to be actors to showcase themselves, their poise and stance. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration o state that almost the entire television industry is going to be a part of the extravaganza. Suniel Shetty, Govinda, Mithun Chakraborty will also be special guests of honour for the show. I really hope it goes great!

I really wish from the bottom of my heart that Shad has an immensely succesful career and may he able to fulfill whatever he desires! For more such interesting interviews and latest Tellydom updates keep a close tab on Desimartini.com