The quirky side of Karisma Kapoor

Killing Mubarak’s casting director Pancham says Kapoor’s return to the screen after five years

Karima Kapoor

Casting director Panchami Ghwri has a soft spot for 90s leading ladies who grew up on their films. For him, there’s nothing better than seeing these actors take on new roles that will tap into their potential. He points Ravenna Tandon, for example, who directed the recent web series, Karmma Calling. Gawri is equally excited about his next, Killing Mubarak, in which Karima Kapoor returns to the screen after five years from Mentalo (2019).

The casting director says that with Kapoor on his mind for the project, director Homi Adajania gave him a pointed brief to rope in a diverse cast. “My brief was to get an eclectic cast, actors who can bring themselves to the table, add quirks to their characters and think on their feet. Karisma was the first few suggestions I made for the character. I wanted to find something fun for her, I knew she was looking for something good. He listened to the narration and started,” smiles Ghvri, knowing that actor Vijay Varma, Sarah Ali KhanDimple Kapadia, Pankaj Tripathi and Sanjay Kapoor – created curiosity around the film.

He also did the casting for The Crew starring Tabu, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Kriti Sanon and Diljit Dosanjh. But she gets little credit for assembling today’s talented leading lady. “It was all Rhea Kapoor [producer]! He wanted a strong female lead and he got it. Together we managed to cast Diljit. in our work is high. There is nothing more precious than calling an actor and saying, “It’s you.”