Surprising Fact: ‘Stree 2’ Star Jana Was Behind the Cast of ‘Mirzapur’ and Has Ties to ‘Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai’!

September 1, 202435 Views 7 min read

Abhishek Banerjee, born on May 5, 1985, in Kharagpur, West Bengal, is a versatile Indian actor and casting director whose career has spanned theatre, film, and television. From his humble beginnings to his rise as a prominent figure in the entertainment industry, Banerjee’s journey is one of persistence, talent, and diverse contributions.

Early Life and Education

Birth and Family Background: Abhishek was born into a Bengali family. His father, Aloke Kumar Banerjee, was an assistant commandant with the Central Industrial Security Force, and his mother, Sumira Banerjee, played a supportive role in his early life.
Educational Background: Initially pursuing computer science, Abhishek switched to English Honours at Kirori Mal College, University of Delhi. There, he developed a passion for acting, actively participating in the college’s dramatics society.

Initial Career and Breakthrough

Theatre and Early Film Appearances: Abhishek started his acting career in Delhi theatre and made his film debut with a minor role in “Rang De Basanti” (2006). This early exposure marked the start of his film career.
Move to Mumbai: In 2008, Abhishek relocated to Mumbai, where he took on roles behind the scenes as a casting director and began to build his acting career.

Career as a Casting Director

Abhishek Banerjee’s work as a casting director has been pivotal in shaping numerous films and web series:

2010: He began working as a casting director on “Knock Out,” followed by “Soul of Sand.”
2011: His casting contributions included “The Dirty Picture” and “No One Killed Jessica,” where he also had a role as a pickpocket.
2013: Worked on “Bajatey Raho” and “Mickey Virus.”
2015: Cast for “Gabbar Is Back” and “Umrika,” and also worked on “Fuddu Boys” and “Agli Baar” as an actor.
2016-2017: Involved in casting for films like “Dear Dad,” “Do Lafzon Ki Kahani,” “Rock On 2,” “Tu Hai Mera Sunday,” “Ok Jaanu,” “Toilet: Ek Prem Katha,” “Secret Superstar,” and “Ajji.”
2018: Cast for “Brij Mohan Amar Rahe” and “Stree,” where his work earned him critical acclaim.
2019: Contributed to “Kalank” and “The Sky Is Pink,” and was praised for his casting in “Stree.”
2020: Worked as the casting director for “Paatal Lok,” where he also played the role of Vishal Tyagi (Hathoda Tyagi).

Notable Role in “Mirzapur”

One of Abhishek Banerjee’s significant contributions was as the casting director for the Amazon Prime series “Mirzapur” (2018). His meticulous casting helped in creating a gripping narrative and a memorable ensemble cast that contributed to the series’ critical and commercial success.

Impact of His Work: The series became known for its intense storytelling and strong performances, in part due to Abhishek’s strategic casting decisions.

Acting Career

Abhishek’s transition from casting to acting showcased his diverse talents:

2018: His role as Jana in “Stree” was highly appreciated, earning him a Zee Cine Award nomination for Best Actor in a Comic Role.
2019: Appeared in “Arjun Patiala,” “Dream Girl,” and “Bala.”
2020: Starred in “Bhonsle” and “Unpaused.”
2021: Featured in “Bhediya” and “Rashmi Rocket,” continuing to impress audiences with his range of roles.
2024: Reprised his role as Jana in the sequel “Stree 2,” which has been praised for its engaging and humorous performance.

Television and Web Series

Abhishek Banerjee has also made significant contributions to television and web series:

2015-2022: Played Bhati in “TVF Pitchers.”
2018: Portrayed Subodh aka Compounder in “Mirzapur.”
2019: Featured as Fakeer in “Typewriter.”
2020: Starred as Hathoda Tyagi in “Paatal Lok” and Jin Liang in “Kaali 2” on ZEE5.
2023: Appeared in “Rana Naidu” and “Aakhri Sach.”

Short Films

Abhishek’s work in short films includes:

2015: Acted in “Fuddu Boys” and “Agli Baar.”
2020: Featured in “Second Hand.”
2021: Played a truck driver in “Paash – Trapped.”

Awards and Recognition

Abhishek Banerjee’s talent has been recognized through several awards:

2023: Won the Filmfare OTT Award for Best Actor in a Series (Male): Comedy for “The Great Weddings of Munnes.”
Nominations: Received nominations for Zee Cine Awards (Best Actor in a Comic Role, 2019), Filmfare OTT Awards (Best Supporting Actor, 2020), and Filmfare Awards (Best Supporting Actor, 2022).

Casting Bay

Establishment: Co-founded Casting Bay in 2017 with Anmol Ahuja, a company that focuses on casting for films, advertisements, and web series.
Achievements: The company has played a significant role in shaping the careers of many actors and contributing to various successful projects.

Recent Insights into Abhishek Banerjee’s Impressive Career

Abhishek Banerjee has been making waves with his acting skills, especially in his latest films “Stree 2” and “Vedaa.” Here’s a detailed look at his career and recent revelations:

Standout Performances: Abhishek has recently starred in two big releases on August 15, 2024: “Stree 2” and “Vedaa.” In “Stree 2,” he plays Jana and is praised for his excellent comedic timing, which has won over many fans. In “Vedaa,” he takes on the role of a villain, showcasing his range as an actor. Both performances have been widely talked about and appreciated.
Casting Mirzapur: It was recently revealed that Abhishek Banerjee was the casting director for the popular series “Mirzapur.” This information came out during an interview with comedian Bharti Singh. Harsh Limbachiya, a fellow actor, mentioned that he was impressed by Abhishek’s role in “Paatal Lok” and discovered through social media that Abhishek owns a casting agency called Casting Bay.
Experience with Casting Bay: Abhishek owns Casting Bay, which has cast actors for more than 100 films and TV shows. He started working as a casting director when he was just 23 or 24 years old. Initially, he did this job to make ends meet, earning a modest salary of ₹9,000 while working with a production company called Cinemastars. Despite starting with limited resources, his hard work in casting has played a crucial role in his career.
Surprise on Set: Abhishek shared an interesting story about his time on the set of “Bhediya.” He mentioned that actor Varun Dhawan was surprised to learn that Abhishek had been the casting director for “Mirzapur.” This anecdote highlights the respect and surprise he has earned in the industry for his dual role as both an actor and a casting director.

These insights into Abhishek Banerjee’s career show not only his acting talent but also his significant behind-the-scenes work in casting.

Source: Wikipedia