Isha Talwar shares uncomfortable casting experience with YRF’s Shanoo Sharma

Isha Talwar on Shanoo Sharma: Bollywood is full of glitz and glamour, but behind the scenes, it isn’t always as shiny. A recent story shared by actress Isha Talwar has sparked a conversation about how auditions take place in the industry, especially for newcomers trying to find their footing.

Isha Talwar, who’s impressed audiences in shows like ‘Mirzapur’ and films like ‘Article 15’, recently opened up about a troubling audition experience she had years ago with well-known casting director Shanoo Sharma.

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Shanoo Sharma, who works with Yash Raj Films, is famous for launching big names like Anushka Sharma, Ranveer Singh, Parineeti Chopra, and Bhumi Pednekar. She’s currently in the spotlight again for introducing fresh faces Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda in ‘Saiyaara’.

But while Shanoo is receiving praise for her eye for talent, Isha’s story is reminding fans and aspiring actors that not everything is picture-perfect.

In a comment on a viral interview featuring Shanoo, Isha shared that she once had to audition at a restaurant. Yes, a real, open restaurant with people eating around her. She was asked to perform a ‘crying’ scene in the middle of this busy setting. The location was Mia Cucina, a popular spot in Versova, Mumbai.

According to Isha, she was told she needed to have “no inhibitions” as an actor. The idea was to see if she could cry on command while sitting at a restaurant table, with Shanoo and her team watching. But the experience didn’t sit right with her.

“It was such a confusing and weird ask,” Isha said in her comment. “It shattered my confidence as a young girl in films.” She wondered why a respected casting director would make a newcomer perform such a personal scene in public, instead of in a proper audition space.

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She also pointed out that if the goal was to make the audition feel “real,” the team could’ve rented a location for the scene instead of using a working restaurant filled with customers.

In her post, Isha said she chose not to go through with the audition. “I remember saying I can’t do it,” she wrote. “Of course, I never got the role, but at least I didn’t give in to the weird ask. And I surely didn’t cry in a restaurant for a role!”

“Feel no pressure.” She wants aspiring artists to know it’s okay to say no if something feels off.

So far, Shanoo Sharma has not responded to Isha’s statement. There’s been no official comment from her or Yash Raj Films.