No matter what position you hold, you have to know your profession well - Casting Head Aijaz Khan

Known for his creative and innovative thinking when it comes to casting, Aijaz Khan started his career as an actor and then took to the profession of being a Casting Director. With a vision before him, of being known as a Director who has worked under big banners, the man has had an extensive journey in television and looks to have an equally good one as he plans to venture into films. Here is the man in conversation with Tellychakkar.com for our ‘Behind the Lens’ segment. How did you start your career in the TV industry? I started as the Casting Director for the Reliance Big Productions’ show Pardes Main Mila Koi Apna for Imagine TV. I even enacted a brief cameo role in the show. However, I took more interest in getting into casting. I learnt the craft of casting from people around me. I come from a family which is completely oblivious to television, so I had to find my way out. Initially, my family was not totally happy with my choice of career. Like my brothers who hold the post of advocates at the Delhi High Court, my parents wished that I too take up law. But now, they are happy and contented with my decision and support me in all ways. Take us through the shows that you have cast for? I was with Sagar Pictures for their show on Imagine, Dhwarkadheesh. I was also with Optimystix for eight months where I was in the team of Crime Patrol. The phase I had with Beyond Dreams was an interesting one, as I roped in the now-famous kids in the ongoing show Veera. I was also involved in the initial casting of Junoon. Later, I moved to Siddhant Cinevision where I did the initial casting of leads in Kaisa Yeh Ishq Hai. For Swastik Online Media, I did the initial casting for Anamika and the last phase of casting in their ongoing show Saubhagyavati Bhava. After this, I moved on to Balaji Telefilms, and I continue to be with them now. For Pavitra Rishta, I was involved in bringing the younger generation of actors post the leap like Rithvik Dhanjani, Asha Negi and others. Bade Acche Lagte Hain, Kya Hua Tera Vadaa, Jodha Akbar, Gumrah, Savdhan India, The Serial, Ek Thi Naayka and their upcoming show, Tera Mera Rishta Purana are the shows I have been actively involved in as Casting Head. So what’s the plan ahead? Well, I always follow the pattern of work wherein I enter a new show, do the initial casting for the leads and the prime characters, and move out of it once its set. My focus now is to get into movies and work under some big banners out there. I have had a good journey in television wherein I have been part of nearly 15-16 shows. The plan ahead is to direct movies. How have you gone through your work as Casting Director? Well, I would say it is an entertaining job. I believe the first ladder to success is casting. I always do selective auditions after getting the exact brief about the character, dialect and background from the creative team. Having a brief makes a casting person’s job easier. When I came to Mumbai three years back, I did not know the ‘ABC’ of casting. There have been few people who have helped and supported me. I believe that if one works hard and is sincere in his approach to work, he will be successful. No matter what position you hold, you have to know your profession well. Who has been your inspiration in work? I have been greatly helped by Producers Vikas Seth and Manish Goswami. They have guided me quite a lot. You say, direction is your ultimate goal. So who do you look up to when it comes to able directors? Tigmanshu Dhulia and Anurag Kashyap are great in their work. They are very nice people by heart. What kind of shows do you like on television? Any show that is different from the rest. For example, Veera and Bade Acche Lagte Hain belong to a different league because of they are difference in concept. How do you visualize your future? I plan to make my own movie as the Director in 2014. At the same time, I will not quit TV. I have made quite a lot of friends out here, and if they need any kind of help from me, I am always there. Presently, I am in talks with some big producers for movies. I will talk about it at the right time.