Anuuj Awasthi

Casting Director and entertainment professional with 16+ years of specialist experience in casting actors, models, child artists, international models and performers for feature films, television serials, 200+ TV commercials, promos, print campaigns, short films and reality programming. Skilled in interpreting scripts and character briefs, sourcing and auditioning talent, shortlisting performers, coordinating representatives, managing budgets and availability, finalising dates and organising background artists. Now based in the UK with Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), bringing extensive international-facing casting and entertainment experience to the UK screen and creative industries.

Casting Director & Founder - Codworkz Casting / Codworkz Entertainment - India

Founded and led an end-to-end casting service for film, television, advertising, digital and live entertainment projects.

• Handled casting for 200+ TV commercials across varied brands, formats, character requirements and production schedules.
• Cast actors, models and child artists for commercial, television, film and print projects.
• Worked with directors and creative teams to interpret scripts, character briefs, mood boards, age/look requirements and performance expectations.
• Built targeted talent pools, conducted auditions and screen tests, evaluated performances and presented shortlists.
• Managed coordinators and representatives, including availability, fees, dates, requirements and final confirmations.
• Managed casting budgets, negotiated artist fees, organised background/supporting talent and handled fast-turnaround requirements.
• Specialised in children's casting, including campaigns for Kellogg's.
• Provided first-break and career-building opportunities to emerging television actors and models.
• Coordinated talent and production requirements for celebrity promotional events and entertainment activations.
• Feature-film casting involvement included Paa, Kaminey, Ready, Double Dhamaal, Mausam, Rowdy Rathore and Raanjhanaa.
• Casting Director for Ravi Ojha Productions on StarPlus daily soap Sasural Genda Phool (2010) and Endemol's Teri Meri Love Stories telefilm.
• Freelance casting assignments for Tubelight Films, Creo Film, Sage Films, Bling Unplugged, Doctor Film, Redwood Film, Filament Productions India Pvt. Ltd., Supari Studios and Endemol.

Operations Head - Sheene Mill Hotel & Wedding Venue - Cambridge, United Kingdom

• Managed day-to-day operations of a busy UK hotel, restaurant and wedding venue.
• Coordinated teams, suppliers, events, schedules and customer requirements in a fast-paced environment.
• Strengthened transferable skills in event coordination, people management, scheduling, communication, problem-solving and deadline management.

Senior Customer Service Executive - Firstsource - United Kingdom

• Worked in UK banking and customer service operations.

Customer Service Executive - Wipro BPO - Powai, India

• Handled Delta Airlines US calls, reservations and complaints.

Operations Head - Awasthi Sweets

• Managed operations for a sweets and food business.