Jaipur: Casting director and actor Navneet Ranga, who transitioned from a career in the pharmaceutical industry to films, on Saturday said that understanding the craft of acting and the casting process is essential for anyone hoping to build a sustainable career in the entertainment industry.
Ranga was speaking during a media interaction in Jaipur at the six-day residential acting workshop ‘Actor Within’, organised by Prime Habitare near Rundal in the Aravali hills.
“I come from Bikaner and had no connection with the film industry. After working for several years in the pharma sector, I realised that if I wanted to act, I had to start from scratch and learn the craft,” Ranga said. “Many people reach Mumbai without clarity about what they need to do. Acting has to be learnt first.”
Ranga, who has acted in Raid 2 and Dahaad, said casting can support an actor’s journey but cannot replace training. “Casting can help you move forward, but it cannot teach you acting. The first search is always for a face that fits the character,” he said.
As a casting director, Ranga has worked on projects such as Panchayat, Lust Stories 2 and Jaane Jaan. Recalling the casting of Panchayat, he said strong preparation was the deciding factor. “We cast Pratiek Pachori because his foundation was solid and he understood the character,” Ranga said.
He added that discipline and patience are critical for longevity in the industry. “There is ample work today across films and web series, but doing the right things at the right time matters,” he said. Ranga’s upcoming project includes Monkey in a Cage, directed by filmmaker Anurag Kashyap.
Actor Pratiek Pachori, who mentored participants at the workshop, echoed the emphasis on training over visibility. “Looks do not matter—skills do. If someone thinks that only making Instagram reels will be enough, that is a misconception,” Pachori said.
Pachori, who began theatre in 2008 and moved to Mumbai in 2015, said he struggled for nearly four years before finding recognition with Panchayat. “Rangmanch is like primary schooling for an actor. If you want to make acting your career, prepare yourself properly before going to Mumbai,” he said.
Prime Habitare director and organiser Akash Gaur said ‘Actor Within’ was conceived to bridge the gap between aspiration and professional readiness outside Mumbai, while yoga trainer Sharmila Asha Suresh highlighted the importance of body and breath training for performers.
