Shanoo Sharma on Ahaan Panday, Aneet Padda & Creating Bollywood Magic | InFocus | THR India

In this exclusive episode of InFocus on The Hollywood Reporter India, host Anupama Chopra sits down with Shanoo Sharma, the legendary casting director at Yash Raj Films who has discovered and nurtured some of Bollywood’s biggest stars. With nearly two decades of experience, Shanoo Sharma opens up about her journey of discovering talent like Ranveer Singh, Parineeti Chopra, and Arjun Kapoor, while offering unprecedented insights into the meticulous process behind launching newcomers in the Hindi film industry. The conversation takes a deep dive into her latest triumph with the blockbuster film Saiyaara, which marked the debuts of Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda under director Mohit Suri’s vision.

Throughout this candid conversation on The Hollywood Reporter India’s InFocus, Shanoo Sharma reveals the challenges of keeping faith over nine years while grooming Ahaan Panday for his eventual debut, the instant chemistry she felt with Aneet Padda, and her unique philosophy of treating casting as a maternal profession. She shares fascinating anecdotes about working with Aditya Chopra, the importance of watchability in actors, and why she believes in looking for talent everywhere—from Instagram to wedding celebrations. This rare interview offers aspiring actors invaluable advice while showcasing the woman whose keen eye for talent has shaped modern Bollywood.