I always prefer talent over faces - Casting Director Lalit Gupta

He’s just crossed his teens, and is in his 20th year. However, he has gotten to understand that hard work and sincerity towards the job in hand will take a person one notch higher in his/her profession. Well, he now heads the casting team as Casting Director of FilmFarm India, and has managed the duties very well of the production’s ongoing shows, Uttaran and Do Dil Bandhe Ek Dori Se. This is Bangalore based Lalit Gupta for you!! In an exclusive conversation with Tellychakkar.com, the young chap talks of his long-term goal, ambition and journey so far in this industry. Tell us about you beginning in the industry. I actually started my career as an Associate Creative with Balaji Telefilms. I was in charge of the show Ye Hai Mohabbatein. Later on, I got in touch with the then Casting Director of FilmFarm, Gaurav Kaushal. He took me in as his assistant, and I had a great learning curve with him guiding me. After this phase, I went on to replace him as the Casting Director of the same company. I have had a great journey so far with FilmFarm. So why did you turn from a creative to a casting guy? My on-set experience was not that great. I acquired the creative knowledge that I needed to do well in casting. Moreover, I was not enjoying my creative role, and that is where my interest towards acting kick-started. My ultimate goal is to do well as an actor in the long run. How do you plan to implement your acting plans? That will have to wait for a year or so, as I am busy with my casting assignments now. Having said this, I am also waiting for the right period to get on board as an actor. Tell us about your journey in FilmFarm India… Well, my Producers Pintoo sir (Guha) and Rupali mam (Guha) are very supportive. They have given me the full freedom to work. I have managed well their two shows, Uttaran and Do Dil Bandhe. I found the initial two to three months very tough as I was new to the job then. However, with the support and backing of my producers, I have overcome that phase. I am a more confident man now. How do you face last minute aberrations at work, like a replacement you need to bring in at the last minute? Well, we cannot force actors to be part of any show. If they want, they will stay on. Recently, I had a last minute problem with actress Rahila Rehman in the new family I introduced in FilmFarm’s Zee TV show, Do Dil Bandhe Ek Dori Se and replaced her within no time. I believe that the industry is big enough for us to get options very fast. You are aged just 20. What are your immediate goals? Like all, I want to cast for a movie. Also I want to set up a new show individually. How do you convince the concerned people about the choice of actors that you have picked? The liberty given to a casting director depends on who the Producer is, and I have been lucky. As I have said, I get a free hand and my Producers respect my decision. However, the tough task is to convince the channel. Many a times, it so happens that the channel will have a different choice when compared to the production house. In such situations, the creative team and producers have backed me in FilmFarm. What is your general observation when it comes to young actors? I have found many actors desperate for work. This is fine to an extent, but this desperation cannot be shown at others after a period of time. Also, many actors feel that one can get the biggest of roles if they have a dashing look. Yes, look holds importance, but I would say that an actor has to have the ability to act first. Looks and appearance will follow suit. Do you like to work with new talent or experienced faces? I always prefer talent over faces, irrespective of whether the person is experienced or a fresher. I believe in casting a person who fits well into the given character. Having said this, I like to launch new faces into the entertainment world. It is always difficult for an aspiring actor to get a break, so it is nice to be of some help to the needy talented upcoming artists. Lastly, the news about Do Dil Bandhe ending has recently created a storm. What do you feel about the abrupt closure of the show? It is just our bad luck. Everything was going good in the show. I did not expect that it will go off air so soon.