An actor with a million followers is not proof enough of being a good talent: Casting Director Dimpy Sinha

Casting Director Dimpy Sinha has put in more than 18 years of work, which includes casting for successful projects. Today’s trend of casting raises questions about the aptitude of casting directors and urges them to select the cast based on talent and nothing else.

In an interview with IWMBuzz.com, Dimpy talks about the most challenging aspect of casting and the goals she sets before herself at work.

Read on.

What is the most challenging aspect when it comes to casting?

It has been almost more than 18 years since I have been in casting. Before the lockdown, I used to personally audition actors, brief them, guide them if they were wrong, and work on their looks during auditions if they are not in perfect attire or if they looked dull near the camera so that they would do better and don’t lose the opportunity. But things have changed so much after lockdown, it has become so easy for actors to record their auditions and send them. Come on, seriously, does this work? Sorry, not for me, at least. In all my interviews, I have always mentioned that scripting and writing are the most important aspects of carrying out any project, irrespective of the medium.

Casting directors are often called out for choosing options based on social media standing rather than talent. What is your take on it?

Well, yes, casting directors are asked to see followers, but I think that a million followers does not prove that he or she would be a great talent or carry the show on their shoulders for a long period. If I find any actors who are talented and don’t have followers, it never bothers me. I always take the initiative to cast them without any hesitation. Ultimately, it’s the talent that will run the show for a longer period and not the million followers. This is what I believe.

I always want my producers to be tension-free when I am there… It upsets me when they are upset.

How do you go about locating a new actor?

Theatres, and sometimes social media, irrespective of how many followers they have. I check all emails that actors send me and also WhatsApp forwards of actors and their bodies of work.

Have you faced situations where you have had to cast in literally a very short time?

Recently,  I have just locked my entire casting for a project in just 9 days for a mainstream channel. I was called for casting for a show on 12th March 2025, and that was when the creative told me that we had to shoot max by 15th March. I am happy that I completed my entire cast in 15 to 20 days, but this was like a challenge to me, and I took it up.

What is the motto you follow at work?

I always want my producers to be tension-free when I am there… It upsets me when they are upset. I feel low when I see them stressed. Such situations motivate me all the more to work towards achieving my goals.

What do you wish to tell new actors trying to get good work?

I would suggest they check on their skills, take advice on their performances that they have recorded from some senior talent or director they know, and keep improving themselves and working on their weakest point. Keep yourself fit, healthy and happy and never use the words ‘I am a struggler’.

You mostly work from home nowadays, isn’t it difficult to manage?

Yes, I mostly work from home, but when you have such a cooperative and lovely husband who understands that work is more important than anything, I cannot ask for much. Even from the shoot, he keeps calling and guiding kids that they should give me space to work and not disturb me. My kids are also very understanding, which is why I can peacefully work for long hours.