Pallavi Joshi says that there is no place for character-driven image-films of stars like Shah Rukh Khan.
Pallavi Joshi’s Revolutionary Casting Formula
Pallavi Joshi has made her mark in films about politics—The Kashmir Files (2022), The Vaccine War (2023) and now The Bengal Files (2025).
The first character of the story she tells with her husband and director Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri becomes the pivot of the film.
Here, the soul of the character matters more than the shine of great stars.
The rigidity of the star image
Joshi explains that when big names come on screen, their image also goes with them.
“No matter how powerful an inspector you write, if Shah Rukh Khan plays him, his signature style will be seen first, the character later.”
For this reason, she does not give importance to image-driven films—her focus is on character-driven cinema.
When it is necessary to get lost in the character
In her films, the presence of the actor alone does not work. “We need talent that completely molds itself into a film character, so that it is seen as a character – not an actor.”
This thinking speaks of the importance of hard work, preparation and real acting.
Combination of training and truth
As much as what is seen in the camera frame, talent also contributes to living the character truthfully outside the camera.
According to Pallavi, star-driven films are noisier, while her project is about soulful acting.
Industry didn’t utilize Shahrukh Khan’s acting capabilities fully. He has much much more potential and it comes out in films like Swadesh & Chak De.
by inBollyBlindsNGossip
The Bengal Files: A new chapter of characters
The Bengal Files, releasing on September 5, will try this formula – instead of big names, characters have been made the soul of the film.
The role of these new faces and experienced actors in the depth and political fabric of the film’s world will prove to be the real key to the success of the cast.
This much difference in the picture
When the camera turns, the audience gets a chance to go beyond the white-collar label in Pallavi’s stories.
One comes not to catch a glimpse of a big star, but to share emotions with the character.
This thinking is a breath of fresh air away from the names stuck on the front pages of Bollywood.
The future of character-driven cinema
The path chosen by Pallavi Joshi and Vivek Agnihotri gives the audience a real feeling on screen.
When The Bengal Files hits the screens, it will prove that charismatic characters are what keep cinema alive—not just the images of big stars.
