In this deep-dive conversation, Aakriti sits down with Mona Irani, a pioneering casting director, producer, and one of the first women to shape modern casting in the Hindi film industry. With over 35 years of experience, Mona opens up about her unlikely journey from training as a pilot to becoming one of Bollywood’s most respected creative forces. This episode is packed with real stories, insider knowledge, and clear-eyed reflections on how Bollywood has changed — and how it hasn’t. If you’ve ever wondered how actors are chosen, what producers really do, why certain stories fail, or what it actually takes to survive in the industry, this conversation is a masterclass.