Amid Isha Talwar's accusations on YRF's Shanoo Sharma, Abhinav Shukla recalls his experience: 'Insults are..'

The conversation around casting practices in the Hindi film industry has intensified in recent days, especially after actress Isha Talwar publicly spoke out against Yash Raj Films’ casting director Shanoo Sharma. Talwar had recently accused Sharma of shattering her confidence and described a bizarre audition experience with her.

Now, actor Abhinav Shukla has added his voice to the ongoing conversation, recalling his own unpleasant interaction with the same casting director. Currently seen in Colors TV’s Pati Patni Aur Panga, Abhinav took to his Instagram stories to reflect on a moment from his early film career when he was dismissed by Sharma during an interaction at Yash Raj Films.

He wrote,
"When my movie Roar was slated to release back in the day I was cajoled by my well-wishers to go meet Yash Raj Films’ casting director. I did and she told me: 'You are a good-looking guy but that’s it, spark is missing, you can audition but…'"

Shukla went on to contrast that moment with a more encouraging experience he had years later with renowned filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali.

"Few years down the line I was sitting face to face with Sanjay Leela Bhansali Sir for his next Inshallah. I remember SLB was all praise, all appreciative and asked me many times, 'How come you haven’t worked so much? I saw the audition, you are super talented.'"

The film Inshallah was eventually shelved, but the meeting left a lasting impression on Shukla. His reflection was a direct response to Isha Talwar’s account, to which he added,
"I can relate, and I think insults are an opportunity to meet the people who value your talent and time."

Abhinav Shukla, who began his career in television and transitioned to films and reality shows, including Bigg Boss 14, has been known for speaking his mind. His post adds to a growing list of actors who have shared difficult experiences with casting directors in an industry often criticised for its selective gatekeeping.

As the conversation grows, more voices continue to shed light on the lesser-seen side of the casting process in Bollywood.