Exclusive: How an Instagram reel got Shanaya Kapoor her first feature film
He knew the character needed 'a lot of freshness, innocence, inherent charm, and strong acting chops.' But multiple auditions and rounds of discussions didn't yield the right fit - until a casual conversation with music composer Vishal Mishra changed everything.'During one of our sessions, I shared our casting ordeal. Vishal suggested Shanaya Kapoor and asked what I thought of her. Honestly, I hadn't seen any of her work, so I went to Instagram,' Singh recalled. While scrolling through her profile, he stumbled upon a reel of Shanaya walking the ramp in a saree to the song 'Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan'. 'She looked very good on screen. That was the moment a seed was planted," he recalled.Watch the trailer of the film here: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Zee Studios (@zeestudiosofficial)But it wasn't just about screen presence. Singh was impressed by Shanaya's commitment to her craft even when projects weren't materialising. He continued, 'She could've slipped into self-doubt, but she kept working on her acting. She kept auditioning quietly in the background." When her audition for 'Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan' came to him, 'there was a spark.'When asked whether he felt pressured about casting a debutante in his film, Santosh Singh admitted there was definitely a sense of responsibility. 'Of course, there was pressure - when people see you on screen, you have to be so good that there's no scope for criticism. Shanaya understood that,' he added.TRACING BACK VIKRANT MASSEY'S CAREERThe film also reunites Singh with Vikrant Massey, whom he has worked with on the beloved romantic series 'Broken But Beautiful'. Reflecting on Massey's journey, the director said, 'From TV shows like 'Balika Vadhu' to where he is today, it's been a long journey. I've known him since before 'Broken But Beautiful', and his growth as an actor has been immense.'advertisementBut beyond talent, what Singh values most is Massey's humility. 'We tend to get corrupted by success, but Vikrant has remained the same person I knew in 2015. He's still growing - and he's only going upward from here," he noted.With 'Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan', Santosh Singh brings together fresh energy and familiar trust. The film released in theatres on July 11 and has been getting lukewarm reviews.- EndsMust Watch
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