GUJARAT, INDIA – In a landmark moment for regional cinema, renowned casting director Avani Soni has achieved a significant milestone by securing a nomination for ‘Best Casting’ at the prestigious Indian National Cine Academy (INCA) Awards. The nomination recognizes her exceptional work in the superhit Gujarati film, Kaashi Raghav.
The INCA Awards, held in collaboration with the Producers Guild of India, operates on an Academy-style platform that brings together excellence from 12 different Indian languages. This year’s nomination list places regional masterpieces alongside Bollywood’s biggest blockbusters, highlighting the growing influence of regional storytelling.
Avani Soni’s nomination is particularly noteworthy as she shares the category with some of the biggest names in Indian cinema. Her work on Kaashi Raghav is competing against casting heavyweights like Mukesh Chhabra and Vaibhav Vishant, who are nominated for major Bollywood projects such as Sitare Zameen Par, Chhaava, and Dhurandhar.
Reflecting on this achievement, an emotional Avani Soni shared that this is her first-ever nomination in the casting category, making it a deeply personal and professional milestone.
“Receiving this nomination among many regional films and blockbuster Bollywood projects is truly special,” said Avani Soni. “It’s beautiful to see that following the Oscar Academy’s recent recognition of casting, the Indian film industry is also giving this craft the importance it deserves. Casting is a crucial part of storytelling, and this recognition means a lot to the entire fraternity.”
Kaashi Raghav has earned widespread acclaim from both critics and audiences for its unique narrative and authentic performances. Soni’s ability to find the perfect faces to bring these characters to life has been cited as a key pillar of the film’s success. This nomination serves as a testament to the rising power of Gujarati cinema on the national stage.
