Mirzapur's Isha Talwar reveals YRF casting director Shanoo Sharma shattered her confidence: 'Asked me to..'

Actor Isha Talwar, known for her impactful performance in Mirzapur, recently opened up about a disturbing experience she had early in her career with renowned casting director Shanoo Sharma. Taking to social media, Talwar shared a detailed account of an audition that left a lasting impression on her confidence as a young actor in the film industry.

In her post, Talwar recalled being asked to perform an emotionally intense crying scene at a restaurant in Versova, Mumbai. The venue, Mia Cucina, was a bustling dining spot filled with customers. According to Talwar, she was instructed to break down into tears in front of Sharma and her assistants while people continued to dine just a few feet away.

“So when I started auditioning for roles with Shanoo I was told to perform a scene at a restaurant called Mia Cucina in Versova Bombay. A crying scene in the middle of a busy working restaurant with customers dining next to my table,” she wrote. “I was told I should have no inhibitions as an actor and hence I should be able to do a crying scene with Shanoo sitting in front of me and some of her assistants.”

Talwar expressed how the experience was confusing and deeply unsettling. She questioned the necessity of such an unconventional audition setting, stating it shattered her confidence as a young girl trying to make her way in films. She further emphasized the importance of providing actors with a proper space for auditions or at the very least a professionally hired real location.

So when i started auditioning for roles with Shanoo... i was told to perform a scene at a restaurant called Mia cucina in Versova, Bombay ... a CRYING scene in the middle of a busy working restaurant with customers dining next to my table... i was told i should have no inhibitions as an actor and hence i should be able to do a crying scene with Shanoo sitting in front of me and some of her assistants ... it was such a confusing / weird ask... it shattered my confidence as a young girl in films... i couldn't understand why a senior casting director needed to put a young girl through this ... it's only fair that an actor is given a good casting office space to be able to audition in ... or if you want to do a real location then hire a spot,pay for it and audition! Anyway just putting this story a decade later for all the new comers to tell you that feel no pressure... i do remember saying i can't do it and of course i never got the role... but at least i dint give in to the weird ask and surely dint cry at a restaurant for a role !!!!!

- Isha Talwar

While she admitted that she did not go through with the scene and did not get the role, Talwar stood firm in her decision. “At least I did not give in to the weird ask and surely did not cry at a restaurant for a role,” she concluded.

Her post has resonated with many aspiring actors and industry insiders, sparking a conversation about boundaries and professionalism in casting practices. Talwar’s story serves as both a cautionary tale and an empowering message for newcomers to trust their instincts and never feel pressured into uncomfortable situations.