Archive · 8 Aug 2026
Veteran actor Tej Sapru calls rookie-run auditions insulting
Tej Sapru is a famous Indian actor who has made more than 300 movies.
He has been acting for over forty years.
Today, actors often have to audition for new movie roles by performing a small scene.
Long ago, movie makers chose actors because they already knew their work.
Now, special people called casting directors run the auditions.
Mr. Sapru thinks it is unfair when young casting directors ask experienced actors to audition without knowing their history.
He says this feels insulting and that the system was copied from the West.
He is okay with a quick appearance check, but he wants casting people to study an actor's background first.
He believes senior actors like him should be treated with more respect.
Veteran actor Tej Sapru, with more than 300 films and over four decades in the industry, criticised today's casting process in an interview with Rediff.
He said being asked to audition despite his track record hurts him, calling the casting-director and look-test system 'borrowed from the West.'
Sapru said auditions are often taken by young casting executives — 'a rookie' — who may not know an actor's contribution to cinema.
He understands the need for look tests but urged casting professionals to study a senior actor's background before calling them.
He debuted with Surakshaa in 1979 and claims to be the only actor in India to have worked in 13 languages, with recent projects including Razakar and the upcoming They Call Him OG.
- Who
- Tej Sapru, a veteran Indian actor with over 300 films and more than four decades of experience.
- What
- Criticised the modern casting process for asking experienced senior actors to audition before casting directors who may be unfamiliar with their work.
- When
- Reported recently in an interview with Rediff; the article does not specify an exact date.
- Where
- Indian film industry (Hindi and regional cinema).
- Why
- He considers it disrespectful that accomplished actors' decades of experience are not acknowledged before they are asked to prove themselves in auditions.
Veteran actors' perspective
Industry's modern casting practice
Auditions for senior actors
Veteran actors' perspective
Experienced actors who have delivered major hits should not have to audition; casters should first study their full history, and being asked to audition feels insulting.
Industry's modern casting practice
Auditions and look tests are simply how the casting system works today, with casting directors having taken over the role of selecting actors.
- Actor
- Tej Sapru
- Career
- More than four decades; debut with Surakshaa in 1979
- Film credits
- Over 300 films in 13 languages
- Known for
- Tezaab, Tridev, Mohra, Gupt and Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan
- Main criticism
- Senior actors being asked to audition by casting directors unfamiliar with their body of work
- Recent projects
- Razakar; upcoming Telugu film They Call Him OG
- Interview source
- Rediff
- Family
- Son of veteran actor DK Sapru