Actor Nikhil Angrish, who features in the crime and courtroom drama thriller Pooja Meri Jaan, has detailed the whirlwind casting process that landed him the part. From walking into an audition for an entirely different project to sharing the screen with seasoned performers, Nikhil described the unexpected sequence of events that brought him into the ensemble cast. He also reflected on his admiration for co-star Mrunal Thakur and the invaluable learning curve of working alongside veteran actor Vijay Raaz.
An Impromptu Audition with a 60-Minute Deadline
Nikhil recounted that the thriller originally bore the working title Dear Pooja, a name that immediately caught his attention. His involvement in the film was purely coincidental. He had arrived at a casting studio to test for a completely different production, where the team from Casting Bay Mumbai happened to be running auditions for the role of Mayank Joshi.
The casting directors approached Nikhil and asked whether he would be interested in auditioning for Mayank. Nikhil agreed immediately, but there was an urgent catch: the casting team had travel commitments scheduled for the very next day. As a result, Nikhil was given just one hour to review the material, prepare his lines, and deliver his audition on camera.
The Call Back and Dedicated Script Reading Sessions
Despite the tight timeframe, Nikhil delivered his audition within the allotted sixty minutes. A few days later, he received the call confirming that he had secured the role of Mayank Joshi, marking a pivotal step forward in his acting journey.
Once selected, Nikhil received the complete screenplay with ample time to digest the narrative. Detailed reading sessions followed with Navjot and Vipasha Arvind, who walked him through Mayank Joshi's background and emotional layers. These preparatory discussions ensured he gained a solid grasp of the character's core motives before filming commenced.
Admiration for Mrunal Thakur's Screen Presence
Reflecting on his experience working alongside Mrunal Thakur, Nikhil explained that he had admired her craft ever since her performance in the film Super 30. Sharing space with such an established cast was deeply rewarding from the outset.
Nikhil noted that meeting Mrunal in person revealed a noticeable sense of self-assurance and positive energy that translated directly into her craft. After watching the completed film at a screening, he was struck by the natural grace with which she navigated intricate, demanding emotional shifts across pivotal courtroom sequences.
A Dream Masterclass Alongside Vijay Raaz
Working directly with Vijay Raaz proved to be a milestone experience for Nikhil, who grew up watching the veteran actor's movies. Stepping onto the set with him felt like a lifelong dream coming to fruition, prompting Nikhil to observe Vijay Raaz closely throughout production like an attentive student.
Nikhil observed how effortlessly the senior actor elevated standard dialogue, moving seamlessly from solemn gravitas in one beat to an idiosyncratic humor in the very next. According to Nikhil, this ability to blend unpredictability and depth is precisely what elevates a written screenplay into compelling cinema. Alongside Nikhil Angrish, Pooja Meri Jaan features an ensemble including Mrunal Thakur, Huma Qureshi, Vikram Singh Chauhan, and Vijay Raaz.
