# Nikhil Angrish Reveals How an Impromptu One-Hour Audition Won Him His Role in Pooja Meri Jaan > Actor Nikhil Angrish shared the backstory of bagging the role of Mayank Joshi in courtroom thriller Pooja Meri Jaan within an hour, while praising co-stars Mrunal Thakur and Vijay Raaz. **Type:** article · **Category:** Entertainment · **Published:** 2026-10-05 · **Source:** TrendKia **Canonical:** https://trendkia.com/en/entertainment/mayank-joshi-ke-kiradara-ke-lie-mila-tha-sirpha-60-minata-ka-vakta-nikhil-angrish-ne-sunaya-pooja-meri-jaan-ki-kastinga-ka-kissa-43386 · **Language:** English **Tags:** Nikhil Angrish, Pooja Meri Jaan, Mrunal Thakur, Vijay Raaz, Huma Qureshi, Vikram Singh Chauhan, Bollywood 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. ## What this means for you This account provides cinema enthusiasts and aspiring actors a practical glimpse into casting pressures and collaborative filmmaking. - **For Aspiring Actors:** Adapting to extreme audition timelines can be decisive in landing major film projects. Performing with just sixty minutes of preparation highlights the value of continuous readiness and spontaneity. - **For Thriller Audiences:** Fans of courtroom and crime dramas gain insight into the character preparation behind the ensemble. The combination of established performers and fresh talent promises depth across key dramatic scenes. - **For Industry Networking:** Being present in casting spaces can open unexpected doors even when testing for an unrelated title. Professional flexibility often turns random encounters into career-defining roles. - **Importance of Pre-Production:** Dedicated script reading sessions before filming ensure actors fully understand character motives. This meticulous preparation directly enhances performance quality across complex courtroom sequences. ## Why this happened This account emerged as actor Nikhil Angrish shared behind-the-scenes memories during promotional conversations around the film. - **Serendipitous Casting:** Nikhil visited the studio for an unrelated audition when the casting agency happened to be screening candidates for the role of Mayank Joshi, prompting an instant offer to audition. - **Urgent Travel Constraints:** The casting team from Casting Bay Mumbai had scheduled travel commitments for the following day, which restricted the prep window to a single hour. - **Structured Character Prep:** After securing the role, reading sessions conducted with Navjot and Vipasha Arvind allowed the actor to thoroughly absorb the character's backstory. ## Questions & Answers ### 1. What character does Nikhil Angrish portray in Pooja Meri Jaan? Nikhil Angrish plays the role of Mayank Joshi in the film. ### 2. What was the original working title of Pooja Meri Jaan? The film was initially titled Dear Pooja before being renamed. ### 3. How much time did Nikhil Angrish get to prepare for his audition? He was given exactly one hour to prepare because the casting team was scheduled to travel the following day. ### 4. Who conducted the character reading sessions with Nikhil Angrish? Reading sessions were conducted by Navjot and Vipasha Arvind to help him understand Mayank's background. ### 5. Who are the other prominent cast members in Pooja Meri Jaan? The film features Mrunal Thakur, Huma Qureshi, Vikram Singh Chauhan, and Vijay Raaz in key roles. ## Inspiration & Lessons Nikhil Angrish's casting story demonstrates how readiness and openness to unforeseen opportunities can reshape a professional trajectory. - **Stay Prepared for the Unexpected:** Welcoming an impromptu challenge rather than declining due to short notice often yields career breakthroughs. Performing under a one-hour deadline tests true foundational preparation. - **Remain an Eager Learner:** Approaching senior colleagues with the humility of a student accelerates personal and artistic development, as demonstrated by Nikhil's close observation of Vijay Raaz. - **Value Thorough Preparation:** Investing serious effort into script reading sessions and collaborative character work lays the groundwork for convincing performances. --- _TrendKia — Har trend, sabse pehle.. Machine-readable view; canonical HTML at the URL above._