Mumbai,: Currently Google search engine acknowledged Casting Director turned Director Dinesh Sudarshan Soi as All-time best casting directors of Bollywood. On Google search for ‘Best Casting Director of Bollywood’ Google ranks Dinesh at seventh place, though now a days Dinesh is comparatively less active in casting due to his ongoing directorial projects. Other Casting Directors in Google’s top ten list are Mukesh Chhabra, Shanoo Sharma, Vicky Sidana, Atul Mongia, Jogi Malang, Shruti Mahajan, Abhishek Banerjee, Honey Trehan and Nandini Shrikent. 

Dinesh is also bringing global recognition to Indian Casting fraternity by holding world records for maximum Castings in his kitty. Not just one but three casting records are in his name. Many aren’t aware that along with several other recognitions and awards, Dinesh by completing 4,500 casting direction projects got his name entered in India Book of Records on Nov 1, 2017 for maximum castings. Asia Book of Records gave him the title of ‘Finest Casting Director’ on completion of 5000 projects on April 13, 2019. Later on  Bravo’s International Book of World Records also gave him the title of ‘Best Casting Director’ on setting up a record by completing 6000 casting projects on Nov 29, 2019. Till now Dinesh has done casting for more than 3000 music videos.

The Casting Director turned Director Dinesh is a big supporter of the Indian Casting Fraternity. He wants Indian Casting Directors to work globally so that Indian actors should have better international exposure. Though Dinesh is extremely busy working as a Film Director and casting is now being handled by his team working under his founded Casting firm DS Creations™️, still today he is considered to be the busiest casting director in the world. Having completed 22 years in the entertainment industry and on being asked on how it feel to be called ‘The busiest Casting Director in the world’ he said “This is indeed an honour. Recognition like this inspires me to work harder and makes me feel like a proud Indian.” For his immense contribution in the casting direction field he was awarded Dadasaheb Phalke Icon Award Films 2019 in Best Casting Director category.

Born in a small town Kalanaur of district Gurdaspur of Punjab state, Dinesh had his upbringings in S.A.S Nagar Mohali, Punjab. To learn how the entertainment industry functions, he started working as a Casting Director and opened his Casting firm DS Creations™️ in 2002. Academically ACCA (I), M.com, MBA, Dinesh taught commerce stream students simultaneously. In 2008 Dinesh moved to Mumbai and in a year’s span bagged Star Plus show ‘Mann Kee Awaaz Pratigya’ as an actor and won millions of hearts. While working on this television daily soap he decided to re-start his Casting firm DS Creations™️ in Mumbai which is now run by his wife Sonia Malhotra Soi and partner Gaurav Sharma. Till 2017 with a lot of hard work and dedication he became one of the finest and record-breaking casting director. 

Even after achieving this much success, Dinesh Sudarshan Soi is very humble and believes in consistent hard work. He is now a days doing great as a Film Director and  received Dadasaheb Phalke Icon Award Films second time in Best Debutant Director category. What a drastic transformation it is from a Casting Director to Director. Recently he also came up with his own DS Creations™️ Entertainment and Record Label – DS Creations™️ Music in collaboration with renowned Producer  Shahroz Ali Khan. His recently released music video ‘Lalla Lalla Lori’ on his own music label starring social media star Shrutika Gaokkar got tremendous response.
His upcoming music videos are Ishq Lagan, Aldo, Yeh Galiyan Yeh Chaubara, Tumne Na Jana, Tere Bin Rehna Nahi Aaunda, Ban Sajna, Ruthna Manana, Gustaakhiyan, Adhoori, Humko Aaya Hi Nahi, Hum Dil Manate Rahe, Kya Thi Dosti, Aayi Ho Jabse Tum, L for Laila, Aaye Haye, Hifaazat,  & Raat Ajj Di. Raat Ajj Di also features Dinesh’s cute little daughter Maesha Soi and people are just waiting for it. When we asked Dinesh about this great phase of life he said very humbly – “My daughter Maesha Soi is my luck. Only best things are happening to me since she has entered into my life”. Dinesh Sudarshan Soi is truly a big inspiration for many.

by Sachin Murdeshwar