{{short description|Indian casting director}} {{Use Indian English|date=December 2023}} {{Use dmy dates|date=December 2023}} {{Infobox person | name = Mukesh Chhabra | image = The Casting Director Mukesh Chhabra at the Master Class on Characterisation and Casting for Cinema, during the 48th International Film Festival of India (IFFI-2017), in Panaji, Goa on November 25, 2017.jpg | caption = Chhabra in 2017 | birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=y|1984|05|27}} | birth_place = Delhi, India | years_active = 2006–present | occupation = {{hlist|Casting director|Filmmaker|Actor}} | known_for = {{ubl|''Dil Bechara'' (2020)|''Jawan'' (2023)|''Bajrangi Bhaijaan'' (2015)|''Bombay Velvet'' (2015)|''Rockstar'' (2011)}} | alma_mater = National School of Drama }}
'''Mukesh Chhabra''' (born 27 May 1984) is an Indian casting director, filmmaker and actor.<ref name="auto2">{{Cite web |title=Mukesh Chhabra announces his 2nd film as director after 'Dil Bechara' {{!}} Exclusive |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/bollywood/story/mukesh-chhabra-casting-director-all-set-to-direct-his-second-film-to-go-on-floors-in-2024-after-sushant-singh-rajput-dil-bechara-chamak-2466174-2023-11-22 |access-date=21 December 2023 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref><ref name="auto3">{{Cite web |date=14 June 2023 |title=Exclusive Interview {{!}} Meet casting director Mukesh Chhabra, the man who found Sushant Singh Rajput |url=https://www.financialexpress.com/life/entertainment-meet-casting-director-mukesh-chhabra-the-man-who-found-actors-like-rajkummar-rao-sanya-malhotra-sushant-singh-rajput-2968715/ |access-date=21 December 2023 |website=Financialexpress |language=en}}</ref> Some of his notable works include ''Bajrangi Bhaijan'' (2015), ''Bombay Velvet'' (2015), ''Dangal'' (2016), ''Dil Bechara'' (2020), ''Scam 1992'' (2020), ''Laal Singh Chaddha'' (2022), ''Commando'' (2023), ''Jawan'' (2023), ''Dunki'' (2023), ''Chamak'' (2023), ''Kafas'' (2023), ''Dhurandhar'' (2025) and ''Dhurandhar: The Revenge'' (2026).<ref name="auto5">{{Cite web |date=20 October 2023 |title=Mukesh Chhabra says there were fights between him and Atlee for the first two months over casting for Jawan: 'It was very difficult' |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/mukesh-chhabra-says-there-were-fights-between-him-and-atlee-for-the-first-two-months-over-casting-for-jawan-it-was-very-difficult-8992434/ |access-date=21 December 2023 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref><ref name="auto1">{{Cite web |title=Mukesh Chhabra says Shah Rukh Khan's Dunki will be remembered for next 10 years |url=https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/bollywood/news-mukesh-chhabra-says-shah-rukh-khans-dunki-will-remembered-for-next-10-years-662017 |access-date=21 December 2023 |website=WION |language=en-us}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Bureau |first=ABP News |date=4 April 2023 |title=From Kai Po Che To Dangal: Top 5 Films That Mukesh Chhabra Did Absolute Justice |url=https://news.abplive.com/entertainment/movies/from-kai-po-che-to-dangal-top-5-films-that-mukesh-chhabra-did-absolute-justice-in-terms-of-casting-1593143 |access-date=21 December 2023 |website=news.abplive.com |language=en}}</ref>
== Early life and education == He was born in Delhi in 1984. He studied acting at the Shri Ram Centre for Performing Arts. He completed a six-year acting and teaching stint with the ‘Theatre in Education’ Company (TIE) affiliated with the National School of Drama in New Delhi.<ref name="auto4">{{Cite web |date=17 January 2016 |title=Meet Mukesh Chhabra, the man who discovers actors who critics love |url=https://www.mid-day.com/sunday-mid-day/article/meet-mukesh-chhabra--the-man-who-discovers-actors-who-critics-love-16869199 |access-date=21 December 2023 |website=Mid-day |language=en}}</ref>
== Career == He started his career as an assistant casting director in 2006 with ''Rang De Basanti''.<ref name="auto4"/> In 2012, he played a cameo in Anurag Kashyap's Gangs of Wasseypur – Part 2, which also featured Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Manoj Bajpayee.<ref>{{Cite news |date=17 June 2023 |title=Mukesh Chhabra reveals funny tale of his 'dance-only role' in 'Gangs of Wasseypur' |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/mukesh-chhabra-reveals-funny-tale-of-his-dance-only-role-in-gangs-of-wasseypur/articleshow/101065933.cms?from=mdr |access-date=21 December 2023 |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> In 2015, he was the casting director for Kabir Khan's ''Bajrangi Bhaijan,'' starring Salman Khan and Kareena Kapoor Khan.<ref name="auto">{{Cite news |date=29 November 2023 |title=Mukesh Chhabra worked as back-up dancer initially while in Delhi |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/mukesh-chhabra-worked-as-back-up-dancer-initially-while-in-delhi/articleshow/105594584.cms?from=mdr |access-date=21 December 2023 |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> In the same year, he did the casting for ''Bombay Velvet'', featuring Ranbir Kapoor, Anushka Sharma and Karan Johar.<ref name="auto"/> In 2016, he did the casting for Nitesh Tiwari's ''Dangal'', starring Aamir Khan, who also produced the film.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1 July 2023 |last=Kaushal |first=Ruchi |title=Mukesh Chhabra: Gangs of Wasseypur script had so long that I had to cast 384 actors to create a new world |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/mukesh-chhabra-on-gangs-of-wasseypur-casting-nepotism-star-kids-101688116681615.html |access-date=21 December 2023 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Dangal to Shubh Mangal Saavdhan: Here's how perfect casting creates blockbusters |url=https://zeenews.india.com/bollywood/dangal-to-shubh-mangal-saavdhan-here-s-how-perfect-casting-creates-blockbusters-2484930.html |access-date=21 December 2023 |website=Zee News |language=en}}</ref>
Mukesh made his directorial debut with ''Dil Bechara'' in 2020, featuring Sushant Singh Rajput and Sanjana Sanghi.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Dil Bechara Director Mukesh Chhabra On Sushant Singh Rajput's Nature: "He Was An Oversensitive Person" |url=https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/dil-bechara-director-mukesh-chhabra-remembers-best-friend-sushant-singh-rajput-4632706 |access-date=21 December 2023 |website=NDTV.com}}</ref><ref name="auto2"/><ref>{{Cite web |date=24 December 2022 |title=Mukesh Chhabra recalls Sushant Singh Rajput was his first choice for Dil Bechara, says 'after that, I have never seen the film' |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/mukesh-chhabra-sushant-singh-rajput-first-choice-dil-bechara-never-seen-the-film-8342193/ |access-date=21 December 2023 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> In 2020, he was the casting director for ''Scam 1992'', directed by Hansal Mehta.<ref name="auto3"/> In 2022, he did the casting for Advait Chandan's ''Laal Singh Chaddha'', starring Aamir Khan and Kareena Kapoor Khan.<ref>{{Cite web |date=3 December 2023 |title=Aamir Khan threw a party after Laal Singh Chaddha tanked at the box office, says Mukesh Chhabra |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/aamir-khan-threw-a-party-after-laal-singh-chaddha-tanked-at-the-box-office-says-mukesh-chhabra-101701510605472.html |access-date=21 December 2023 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=6 December 2023 |title=Mukesh Chhabra on 'Laal Singh Chaddha': 'Couldn't believe it was a disaster, but Aamir Khan threw a party because…' |url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/mukesh-chhabra-on-laal-singh-chaddha-couldnt-believe-it-was-a-disaster-but-aamir-khan-threw-a-party-because-13471052.html |access-date=21 December 2023 |website=Firstpost |language=en}}</ref> In 2023, he did the casting for ''Commando'' by Vipul Amrutlal Shah.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Vipul Amrutlal Shah on casting a 'new face' in the form of Prem Parija for 'Commando' |url=https://www.indiaforums.com/article/vipul-amrutlal-shah-on-casting-a-new-face-in-the-form-of-prem-parija-for-commando_199062 |access-date=21 December 2023 |website=India Forums |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Commando Teaser: Adah Sharma, Vaibhav Tatwawadi, Shreya Singh Chaudhry, Amit Tigmanshu Dhulia, Sial, Mukesh Chhabra And Ishteyak Khan Starrer Commando Official Teaser {{!}} Entertainment – Times of India Videos |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/videos/entertainment/web-series/hindi/commando-teaser-adah-sharma-vaibhav-tatwawadi-shreya-singh-chaudhry-amit-tigmanshu-dhulia-sial-mukesh-chhabra-and-ishteyak-khan-starrer-commando-official-teaser/videoshow/102128353.cms |access-date=21 December 2023 |website=The Times of India |language=en}}</ref> In the same year, he played a role in Atlee's ''Jawan,'' featuring alongside Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone.<ref name="auto5"/><ref>{{Cite news |date=3 December 2023 |title=Mukesh Chhabra: Shah Rukh Khan is the most gracious host |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/mukesh-chhabra-shah-rukh-khan-is-the-most-gracious-host/articleshow/105704435.cms?from=mdr |access-date=21 December 2023 |issn=0971-8257}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=11 September 2023 |title=Mukesh Chhabra reveals how mammoth cast of Shah Rukh Khan's Jawan fell in place: 160 actors and more than a year of prep |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/mukesh-chhabra-reveals-how-mammoth-cast-of-shah-rukh-khans-jawan-fell-in-place-160-actors-and-more-than-a-year-of-prep-8933300/ |access-date=21 December 2023 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>
In 2023, Chhabra also did the casting for Rajkumar Hirani's ''Dunki'', starring Shah Rukh Khan, Taapsee Pannu, Vicky Kaushal and Boman Irani.<ref>{{Cite web |date=13 December 2023 |title='Dunki' Casting Director Mukesh Chhabra Predicts Record-Breaking Success For The Shah Rukh Khan-Starrer Film |url=https://www.outlookindia.com/art-entertainment/-dunki-casting-director-mukesh-chhabra-predicts-record-breaking-success-for-the-shah-rukh-khan-starrer-film-news-336144 |access-date=21 December 2023 |website=Outlook}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Mukesh Chhabra reacts to fans' high expectations from Shah Rukh Khan, Rajkumar Hirani's Dunki: 'Yeh combination...' |url=https://www.dnaindia.com/bollywood/report-mukesh-chhabra-reacts-to-fans-high-expectations-from-shah-rukh-khan-rajkumar-hirani-s-dunki-3071410 |access-date=21 December 2023 |website=DNA India |language=en}}</ref><ref name="auto1"/> In the same year, he acted and did the casting for Rohit Jugraj's ''Chamak'' and Subhash Kapoor's ''Kafas'', featuring Mona Singh and Sharman Joshi.<ref name="auto2"/><ref>{{Cite web |title=Exclusive! Mukesh Chhabra on Kafas: The show isn't about the entertainment industry, but... |url=https://www.ottplay.com/news/exclusive-mukesh-chhabra-on-kafas-the-show-isnt-about-the-entertainment-industry-but/01cd866fad707 |access-date=21 December 2023 |website=OTTPlay |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=13 July 2023 |title=Kafas actor Mona Singh says she's seen parents trying to realise their acting dreams through their kids: 'They quit their job…' |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/web-series/kafas-actor-mona-singh-parents-push-acting-dreams-through-children-8829862/ |access-date=21 December 2023 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>
== Filmography == === As casting director (select films) === * ''Rang De Basanti'' (2006) – Assistant * ''Rockstar'' (2011) * ''Bajrangi Bhaijaan'' (2015) * ''Bombay Velvet'' (2015) * ''Dangal'' (2016) * ''Laila Majnu'' (2018) * ''Scam 1992'' (2020) * ''Laal Singh Chaddha'' (2022) * ''Commando'' (2023) * ''Jawan'' (2023) * ''Dunki'' (2023) * ''Chamak'' (2023) * ''Kafas'' (2023) * ''Deva'' (2025) * ''Dhurandhar'' (2025) * ''Dhurandhar: The Revenge'' (2026) * ''Kartavya'' (2026) * ''Main Vaapas Aaunga'' (2026) * ''Governor'' (2026) * ''Ramayana Part 1'' (2026)<ref>{{Cite web |title=When Mukesh Chhabra revealed why he cast Ranbir Kapoor as Ram in Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/when-mukesh-chhabra-revealed-why-he-cast-ranbir-kapoor-as-ram-in-nitesh-tiwaris-ramayana-101752057188323.html |access-date=2025-07-09 |website=Hindustan Times}}</ref>
=== As film director === * ''Dil Bechara'' (2020; also casting director)
=== As actor === * ''Gangs of Wasseypur - Part 2'' (2012) as Nawab * ''Luv Shuv Tey Chicken Khurana'' (2012) as Lovely * ''Te3n'' (2016) as Taariq * ''Jawan'' (2023) as Health Minister's secretary * ''Chamak'' (2023–2025) as Dimpy
== Awards and nominations == {| class="wikitable" |+ !Year !Award !Category !Result !{{refh}} |- |2016 |Stardust Awards |Special Recognition to a Casting Director |{{Won}} |<ref>{{Cite web |title=Stardust Awards 2016: Complete List of Winners |url=https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/stardust-awards-2016-complete-list-of-winners-1257753 |access-date=21 December 2023 |website=NDTV.com}}</ref> |}
== References == {{Reflist}}
== External links== *{{IMDb name|id=nm2535507}}{{DEFAULTSORT:Chhabra, Mukesh}} Category:Living people Category:1984 births Category:Indian casting directors Category:Male actors from Delhi Category:Hindi-language film directors Category:21st-century Indian male actors Category:Indian filmmakers