Luv Ranjan defends casting newcomers in Pehla Pyaar Doosri Baar

Filmmaker Luv Ranjan is backing six young actors in his upcoming romantic comedy Pehla Pyaar Doosri Baar, and he believes giving newcomers an opportunity is important for the Hindi film industry to keep evolving. The filmmaker, who has previously worked with fresh talent, said new stars and directors can only emerge when established filmmakers and producers are willing to take a chance on them.

Explaining his approach towards newcomers, Ranjan said, “How will new stars or directors be created if no one gives them a chance? People took a chance on me when I didn't know anyone in this city. You have to pay it forward to create new talent. When people ask, ‘Why work with newcomers?’ my answer is: ‘Why not?’”

The casting process for Pehla Pyaar Doosri Baar

For Pehla Pyaar Doosri Baar, the casting process took several months. Ranjan revealed that the team auditioned actors over a period of six to eight months before putting the final cast together.

“We auditioned and cast them over a period of six to eight months. Most had some prior training. After casting, the workshops were primarily handled by the film's director, focusing mainly on script readings,” he said.

Ranjan also believes that aspiring actors need to be clear about what they want from their careers. According to him, there is an important distinction between pursuing acting as a craft and pursuing stardom.

“I always tell newcomers to be very clear about why they entered the industry in the first place. Understanding the crucial difference between coming here to become an actor versus coming here to become a star is the most important thing for any new face,” he said.

Social media and industry risks

While discussing the current generation of actors, Ranjan noted that they have access to more information and exposure than performers did in previous decades, though this also brings additional distractions.

Addressing the industry's debate around established stars versus newcomers, Ranjan stated, “What is safe? No one can guarantee success today. Established stars can give you a ₹50 crore opening or an ₹8 crore opening depending on the content. But more importantly, if you don't bring in newcomers, where will the next generation of stars come from?”

Co-produced by Luv Ranjan and Ankur Garg, Pehla Pyaar Doosri Baar is scheduled to release in theatres across India on October 23, 2026.