While discussing Irrfan: A Life In Movies:

Rajyasree: Your book reveals the important role that National School of Drama played in determining the kind of people who work in Indian cinema today...like Irrfan, Tigmanshu Dhulia, Ratna Pathak Shah, Naseeruddin Shah, and more. 

Shubhra: There’s an interesting anecdote in Tigmanshu’s interview [in the book] from when he was the casting director on Bandit Queen. This was directed by Shekhar Kapur. Tigmanshu recounts that he tried very hard to convince Shekhar to take Irrfan on, but Shekhar was adamant. He wasn’t interested.

Rajyasree: Oh yes, who did he take instead? Nirmal Pandey, right? 

Shubhra: Yes, because he wanted someone who would make the audience think ‘yeh to pakka marega!’ 

Rajyasree: (laughs) And you don’t feel endearing towards Nirmal Pandey in the film at all! Maybe it’s Irrfan’s eyes. There was a little bit of softness in them. Can’t say the same for Nirmal Pandey! 

Shubhra: (cracks up)

Rajyasree: I agree with the casting, sure. 

Shubhra: The whole gang in the film was from NSD. It’s almost like Shekhar walked in and said, ‘All of you, just come!’ 

This and a whole lot of stuff awful and awesome as Rajyasree Sen is joined by special guest Shubhra Gupta, a film critic with Indian Express and author of Irrfan: A Life In Movies. They review the book, the movie Tiku Weds Sheru, and the series Never Have I Ever and Just Like That S2.

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