Journey

She has launched many actors. She is known for being more than up- to- snuff. She is one of the most accomplished casting directors in today's time. Meet Reema Gupta, the woman with an eye of perfection. It was her daunting spirit, and endless craving to learn more that made her what she is today, a well- respected, duty-bound woman of many words (she loves to talk and her profession loves that she talks). From being an intern at an event company to a rookie journalist and finally, an established casting director, Reema has come a long way. "When I look back, I know for sure, I never said no to anything, and that's the reason I am what I am today, " says Reema Gupta, who has done casting for cliffhanger shows like Paanch, Ramdev on Netflix, Yeh Rishtey Hain Pyaar Ke, Anupama, Ek Duje Ke Vaaste season 2 and more.

Divulging details about her career in the initial years, Reema says, "I bumped around sometimes, and that's how you learn the ropes, and finally, I was inducted in Balaji Telefilms. It took me a while, but I had the guts, and it is that unfathomable strength that makes you go and achieve the unimaginable." 

She means business

What drew you into this business? " Unblemished and high-grade talent and I love to watch that kind of talent on screen. Actually, this business may not require post-graduate degrees. Still, it demands a perfect propensity to pick the right actor and make that character come alive through that actor," informs Reema, who has worked with illustrious production houses like Sunshine Productions, Katha Cottage, Ajay Devgan Films, Vikram Bhatt Productions, DKP and more.

"You see, there is no real conundrum to get into this business. If you want to be in casting, find out what part of the business you enjoy the most. It was meeting new people and identifying great talent that worked for me," adds Gupta, who is a constant watcher of perfect talent.

Reema has launched some of the finest talents of the industry. Her never-ending list comprises names like Viven Desena, Ashim Gulati, Priyal Gor, Kunal Jaisingh, Kaveri Priyam, Vikram Kochhar Mohit Kumar, Kanika Kapur and many others. But, she is different and here's why she is different. "No one is born perfect, then why do we expect actors to be perfect? Casting should be real or close to the real and not perfect. The human feel is essential, and it's a universal fact that humans aren't fact," she explains.

To her, a good casting director is the one who sees as many people as possible for any role, "To me, an audition is a process, where an ambience is imperative for the best narrative to come out. An actor flourishes its character, and that does justice to both, the actor and the character. I always set –up the scene then take an audition. I detest single frame standing auditions," quips Gupta, who has done casting for more than 40 shows, which includes films and web series too. Speaking about television actors versus movie actors, vehemently Reema sets her point, "An actor should never be classified as a television actor or a movie actor. It's disconcerting, the industry considers this divide, and in the bargain, we aren't exploiting the talent of an actor to the fullest."

For now…

She is enjoying her work, and is keen on getting married, hence the lookout for Mr Right is on. "I love my work the most, but I want to marry and settle down because I want to be a working housewife," she concludes.

For more such exciting stories updates follow us on www.tellychakkar.com.