Seher Latif, Casting Director For 'The Lunchbox' And 'Shakuntala Devi', Passes Away

Seher Latif, prominent casting director and film producer, passed away following renal failure, reports said Monday. Known for work in both Hollywood and Bollywood, Latif was a known name in industry circles with successful names to her credit.

A trailblazing figure noted for her superior creative sense and artistic ability, Latif was associated with Hindi films The Lunchbox, &t=16s">Shakuntala Devi, Bhaag Beanie Bhaag, Maska and Durgamati. Her international projects included Julia Roberts-starrer Eat Pray Love, hit online series Sense 8, and Zero Dark Thirty.

Netflix series Feels Like Ishq was Latif's upcoming co-production with Shivani Saran under her banner Mutant Films.

A Creative Figure Across Borders: Social Media Mourns Seher Latif's Passing

Latif completed her education in New Delhi, obtaining a higher education degree from Sophia College, Mumbai. She had been part of the film industry for well over a decade, making her mark as one of the most dependable casting directors.

Film industry friends and colleagues of Latif's have expressed shock over news of her sudden passing. Her social media account shows she was operative at least until May 29.

Here is how Twitter reacted:

Absolutely shattered to hear about the passing of Seher Latif. She was one of the kindest, gentlest people I knew. Always dreaming big. We were chatting just a few days ago, and I had no idea it was to be our last. It's horrible how often we've had to say this in the recent past.

— Arati Raval (@AratiRaval) June 7, 2021

Seher Latif was one of the most extraordinary women I've ever worked with. Creative, empathetic and a fantastic person. Anyone who has worked with Mutant will vouch for it. This in unfair, so unfair. I feel devastated.

Rest in peace, Seher. Your legacy will be carried on.

— Sulagna Chatterjee (@BeingChatterjee) June 7, 2021

Seher Latif. A kind, brilliant, empathetic artist, casting director, producer, human being. A rare friend. First person to give me a job during difficult first years in Bombay. An inspiring leader. Unable to process this. World cinema lost a great one. See you on the other side.

— Shashank Arora (@ShashankSArora) June 7, 2021

A force to be reckoned with in the world of casting , started producing and more than anything just a wonderful woman. Heaven is lucky to have you, Seher💔🤲🏼 إِنَّا لِلَّٰهِ وَإِنَّا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُونَ #seherlatif pic.twitter.com/NFnOr3SPGd

— Sophie C (@Sophie_Choudry) June 7, 2021

"Advice not just for women but for anyone who wants to achieve, especially in film, just stay persistent. If you have conviction just stay the course": Seher Latif

Latif helmed several women-centric undertakings during the course of her career, focused on stories honouring the lives and journeys of female icons as equally as that of everyday characters. In interviews and other public platforms, Latif routinely opened up on the need to bring more women into the fold of filmmaking to make storytelling more diverse and inclusive.

"All those notions like ‘Women can’t do technical stuff’, ‘Women aren’t ambitious’ and ‘They can’t handle money.’ It is always asked, ‘Producer! Can she?’ But all that is now being challenged," she said in an interview with Indian Express last year.