Cinema Shaped My World

ESS Joseph, the renowned casting director in the film industry, is recognised globally and has been an inspiration to many.

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As the casting director for Mira Nair's The Namesake, she established a distinct identity for herself. Passionate about her work, she was recently spotted at an event in the city, where she shared insights into her journey and future aspirations in an interaction with CE.

Excerpts

Take us through your journey so far.

I am an Indian international casting director, and I believe serendipity has played a significant role in my career. My journey began with The Namesake while I was living in Kolkata, directing The Bournvita Quiz Contest. Since then, I have worked on numerous international productions with directors I deeply admire, including Wes Anderson, Joe and Anthony Russo, Ramin Bahrani, and Riz Ahmed.

It has been both a joy and a privilege to be a casting director for two Oscar-nominated films, with Sunny Pawar's magical performance in Lion putting India on the global map in a unique way. Similarly, the entire cast of The White Tiger contributed to another significant milestone. I am one of only two Indian casting directors who are part of the Academy's Casting Directors Branch, making me a voting member for the Oscars. Additionally, I am a member of the Casting Society of America (CSA) and the International Casting Directors Network in Europe.