Exclusive: Panchami Ghavri on casting Rajkummar Rao, Janhvi Kapoor for Mr and Mrs Mahi
Exclusive interview with Mr and Mrs Mahi casting director
Rajkummar Rao and Jahnvi Kapoor starrer Mr and Mrs Mahi opened to a great response in theatres with critics and fans hailing the film’s sweet storyline, a love story in the backdrop of cricket. With Rajkummar and Janhvi’s chemistry becoming a huge selling point for the film, we got in touch with casting director Panchami Ghavri who got together the two stars for this film.
Once a story is in place and the director has been okayed, the next big thing that decides whether a film will be a success is the right kind of casting. From casting for the lead role to finding the rightsupporting cast, it is important to get it right the first time because that sets the mood for any feature. For Panchami, its “super fun”. Speaking exclusively to WION, she said, “Me and my team really enjoy the process. Once we read the script we usually ideate together. Ofcourse as I’m reading, ideas come into my head and I make notes about that. There are a lot of factors that are taken into consideration. I love jamming with directors, making plots, bouncing ideas….it’s a very fun process.”
It was always going to be the world of films for her. Panchami, who has made a name for herself in the Hindi film industry, knew from the start that this was her “calling”. “From when I was younger, I knew. I always knew I would end up in films but there are many more things I want to do with my life. I have lots of goals to fulfil and working as a casting director is one of them.”
Most exciting part about being a casting director
Films thrill Panchami. When asked what she finds the most exciting part about her job, she said, “I think the fact that we get to see a film and actors through – from paper to celluloid. That’s very exciting for me. The immense gratitude we get, it never gets old. Seeing our name in the credits makes me immensely happy.”
Rajkummar and Janhvi look so great together but how did you know they will look perfect as Mr and Mrs Mahi? she replied, “Our brief was to actually get a little bit of the “small city energy” in our characters. So if you see the parents in the film, people at the workplace, everyone has been cast keeping the city of Jaipur in mind.”
“We also wanted to bring some humour in with secondary characters so you will see subtle comic timing actors when you watch the film,” Panchami added.
On casting Rajkummar and Janhvi for Mr and Mrs Mahi
On their crackling chemistry on screen even though they look like they come from two different factions of the society in real life, Panchami said, “We love their chemistry. The audience is feeling it too. They are magical on screen together. I think Janhvi really looks up to him as an actor. That shows on camera.”
We hear you have aspecial connection with the film courtesy your father who was a cricketer himself. Panchami gushed and said, “Yes, I went for the cast and crew screening and my father was my date. He sent me the sweetest message after. My dad is a huge cheerleader for both me and my sister Tanya.”
Talking about the challenges inher profession, Panchami who’s been in the trade for sometime, said, “It’s very competitive and often we have to say no to actors who have tested well because someone else was better. Saying no is still so hard because my team understands that every actor puts in a lot of effort to crack it the first time. Also, having tight timelines is stressful.” Read WION's review of Mr and Mrs Mahi here
Mr and Mrs Mahi is currently running in theatres.
