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  • 6 days ago
Mukesh Chhabra, one of Bollywood's busiest casting directors, has completed casting for Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana (2026) after discovering actors including Sanya Malhotra, Vicky Kaushal, Mrunal Thakur, Kriti Sanon, Rajkummar Rao, and Sushant Singh Rajput across his career spanning over 300 films, 100 web series, and 500 advertisements.

In an interview with Lalita Iyer, Chhabra explains his casting process can take up to two years, requiring him to understand each director's vision completely. "You have to stop thinking like yourself and start thinking like them," he explains, describing the challenge of working with filmmakers including Raj Kumar Hirani, Vishal Bhardwaj, Imtiaz Ali, and Anurag Kashyap who all approach films differently.

Gangs of Wasseypur, Dangal, Bajrangi Bhaijaan, and web series like Delhi Crime, Black Warrant, and Scam 1992 are among his notable ensembles. For Dangal alone, he auditioned over 12,000 children across 18 months, with Aamir Khan personally auditioning every shortlisted candidate.

Chhabra emphasises mental fitness for actors, noting Mumbai's challenges create emotional and financial pressures that can derail careers. He discovers talent in unconventional places - finding the Chillar Party actor at a traffic light and Bajrangi Bhaijaan's Munni at a Gurgaon mall. OTT platforms have transformed casting, creating opportunities for actors like Jaideep Ahlawat, Vijay Varma, and Pankaj Tripathi who might not have succeeded in traditional cinema.

#MukeshChhabra #Ramayana2026 #Bollywood #Casting #VickyKaushal #SanyaMalhotra #Dangal #Chhichhore #FamilyMan #CastingDirector#RajkummarRao #MrunalThakur #KritiSanon #SushantSinghRajput #Scam1992 #DelhiCrime #BlackWarrant

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Transcript
00:00It's very difficult to me to say no to kids.
00:02At that time of Chiller Party and at the time of Chiller Party,
00:04to saying no to other two kids who were in top shot list,
00:08was a very difficult part of my life.
00:10So I literally, that girl started crying when I said,
00:12son, you're not doing the film.
00:14Harshali is doing the film.
00:16So now you feel really, really, really bad.
00:17But I always make sure that I'm going to cast them in a film.
00:21So kids are difficult to say that the rejection is part of your life.
00:30Hello and welcome to Outlook Talks.
00:32My name is Lalita and today we have with us
00:35one of the busiest casting directors of Indian cinema, Mukesh Chhabra.
00:42He has actually cast for over 400 movies and TV shows.
00:49And he's also an actor and a director.
00:52Welcome to Outlook.
00:53I'm just a movie lover.
00:56I try to do everything.
00:57That's all.
00:57Casting is my main job.
00:58I love it.
00:59People know me because of casting and I've got direction.
01:02Acting is not a very important part in my life.
01:05I just do it for fun.
01:06Mukesh has introduced many faces to the Indian industry
01:10like Rajkumar Rao, Pankaj Tripathi, Fatima Sheikh,
01:15Sanya Malhotra, Sushant Singh Rajput.
01:18And I can go on and on.
01:19He is also cast for Ramayan, Dangal, Kaipoche, Bajrangi Bhaijan,
01:26Lal Singh Chadda, Jaban, Dunkey, and many, many other movies and TV shows.
01:32I want to start with asking you, Mukesh, what is your approach to casting?
01:38Can you tell me a little bit about your process?
01:40My process is depending on the director's brief.
01:42First, I meet the director.
01:44See, I work with so many different different directors.
01:47Whether it's Raju Sir, Vishal Badalbaaj, Anand Afsina, Hansal Mehta, Intiya Jali.
01:50They all have a different different way of directing film.
01:53So first, I read the script.
01:56I make my casting brief.
01:57And of course, I see the director.
01:58And then we discuss each and every character.
02:01What world they want me to create.
02:04That there's a lot of realistic approach, performance, and all of that.
02:08Where is it? Where is it? Where is it? Where is it in Gujarat? Where is it in Punjab?
02:10First, we also think.
02:11And then we also think, do we need completely fresh faces?
02:15Or do we need semi-known? Or do we need a bigger star?
02:18So we discuss everything in detail.
02:20Once I know that we are on the same page, then I start my research.
02:23Then I start searching the right actor for different roles.
02:25So that process is on and on.
02:29Until that time, I'm not fully happy and satisfied with my option.
02:32I don't share it with the director.
02:34When I'm 100% sure this person is right, then only I show it to the director.
02:38So sometimes the process can take one year, maybe two years, maybe three months.
02:42You don't know the time.
02:43Okay, that brings me to my next question.
02:45What are some of the biggest challenges in casting?
02:49The biggest challenge in casting to fulfill everyone's reason.
02:53Every director thinks completely differently, right?
02:55Raju Sir thing very differently, Amitya thing very differently.
02:58So make sure, get into their vision.
03:00Because when you're working with one director, you're already subconsciously thinking only about him.
03:05Suddenly you move and meet other directors, whether it's Anir Basmi.
03:09And then you work with David Devon also.
03:10You work with Rakit Mara.
03:11So there are different, different projects.
03:13Actually, to fulfill everyone's vision, that's very, very, very challenging.
03:16You have to stop yourself.
03:17You have to think about them, you have to think about them, you have to think about them, you have to think about them.
03:21You have to think about them, you have to think about them, you have to think about them.
03:23And to find fresh talent every time for every director is very, very, very difficult.
03:28Because it can happen that Raju Sirmaid Nait will not like the same actor, Vishal Barul is the same actor.
03:33It's very difficult to explain and convince every director that why this person is right.
03:38Because they all have a different, different point of view.
03:40Yeah.
03:40So it's very, very, very challenging.
03:42It's a very hectic job.
03:44So can you tell me about a casting that really surprised you or, you know, something that you're really proud of?
03:50There are so many films I'm very proud of.
03:52I think I would say Gangso Basipur because that changed my life.
03:56And I think I would say Dangal, maybe Bajrangi Bhajan, Muni.
04:01I would say Super 30 Cats, Chiller Party Cats, Kaipo Che, all three new actors.
04:06Laila Mashnu, Thrifty Dimre, I think Sanju V.K. Gawshal, Casting of Masan.
04:12And recently, if you see, now Ramayana is coming, Durandar is coming, and Black Warren, Family Man.
04:17I think I'm proud of so many different, different shows.
04:19Yes, so many shows and films, yeah.
04:21I can imagine that when you're casting for a particular project, it also involves, you know,
04:27when you choose one person, you're also rejecting so many others.
04:30Yeah.
04:30How do you deal with rejection?
04:33How do you prepare an actor for rejection?
04:35I always tell everyone that I'm not rejecting the actor.
04:38I'm only rejecting my character.
04:39I'm only looking for my character.
04:41Because sometimes, I feel like the actor is really, really, really good, but he's not right for my film.
04:46So I will reject him also, or her also.
04:48But the saying no to them is very difficult.
04:51Because, you know, they come with a lot of hope and expectation.
04:56And saying them that it's not happening, it's a very difficult part of my job.
04:59Because as you say, I reject more and select only few.
05:03So it's very difficult to do that.
05:04But I think I always tell them that, please, you don't fit in the character.
05:07It's not about your performance.
05:10Sometimes, if they're really good, I always make sure that I cast them in another film or another show.
05:14It's a bit difficult to do, but that's my job.
05:16Especially, it's very difficult when you say no to kids.
05:19You know, especially because they're very sensitive.
05:21They're very small kids.
05:22I was in a little bit of a time.
05:24And maybe I was in a little bit of a time.
05:25But I was saying no to other two kids who were in top shortlist.
05:29Was a very difficult part of my life.
05:31Because I literally, that girl started crying when I said,
05:33You're not doing the film.
05:35Harshali doing the film.
05:36So now you feel really, really, really bad.
05:38But I always make sure that I'm going to cast them in another film.
05:42The same kid.
05:43Then I gave that kid a master.
05:48Because you do this film.
05:49So kids are difficult.
05:51The kids always say that rejection is part of your life.
05:53You have to be fully prepared.
05:55Because you have to be rejected here.
05:57So the kids are going to handle it.
05:59It's very difficult to handle kids.
06:01You must have also faced the same thing with Dungal, right?
06:04Where, you know, you had a huge, long list.
06:07More than 12,000 kids.
06:09And then I already shortlisted 400 girls.
06:12Then I already shortlisted 200.
06:13Then came down to 100.
06:15Then 60.
06:16Then 40.
06:17Then 20.
06:19Then 10.
06:19Then 8.
06:20And then 4.
06:21Very, very difficult.
06:22The process went to one and a half years.
06:25In Dungal audition, I also met Munal Dhakur.
06:28I met so many people in that film.
06:29In Dungal audition.
06:30That's why then I met Nala.
06:31I gave her Super 30.
06:32And I saw her in Super 30.
06:34In Dungal audition.
06:35You know, that's how you keep remembering people.
06:37Because of their performance.
06:38But it's very, yeah.
06:39It's a very difficult process.
06:41I think Dungal the process also has been so many years.
06:44But the best part about that process.
06:46That Amir Shah was very supportive.
06:48He came for everyone's audition personally.
06:51He auditioned with every single girl.
06:52I remember only top shortlist.
06:54He said, I will personally come and test with every single girl.
06:57That was a very interesting part of that process.
07:01And he also explained to all 20 shortlisted girls,
07:04it's the process.
07:06So we will all go through the same process.
07:08Yeah.
07:09I've often heard you speak about actors needing to be mentally fit.
07:14Can you explain what that means?
07:16And how is it important?
07:17I think it's very important because very less work.
07:20And there's so many people.
07:21And this city is also very, you know, very challenging city.
07:25You face emotional problems, financial status,
07:28your family pressure.
07:30Suddenly you lose hope.
07:32And when you're not mentally fit,
07:33then you get a negative remark.
07:35You need contacts here.
07:38Then you really don't work on your craft.
07:39So I think we have to deal with different,
07:40different ways to deal with them.
07:41I always tell them,
07:42you chose this field,
07:44so be happy.
07:45It's not that you'll get a job today.
07:46I'll get a year later.
07:47I'll get a year later.
07:48I'll get a year later.
07:49So my main focus,
07:50as far as you see outside my office,
07:52there are still 2-3 thousand people sending outside.
07:54I tell everyone,
07:55please be happy.
07:56It is okay if you don't make it as an actor.
07:59It is absolutely fine.
08:00Because it's very difficult city.
08:02Very less work.
08:03And there are so many of them.
08:05And pressure,
08:06city pressure,
08:07financial pressure,
08:08family pressure,
08:09emotional pressure,
08:10age pressure.
08:11So then negative thinking,
08:13that's very important to tell them,
08:14it is okay if you don't make it.
08:17That's my main goal of life.
08:18Because I realized over the period,
08:20they get into the negative space.
08:22Then they lose hope.
08:24Then they feel frustrated.
08:25They get angry.
08:26They get sad.
08:27So I don't like that.
08:28Can you tell us,
08:29what would you advise someone
08:30who wants to build a career in acting?
08:33I think,
08:34I don't know anyone.
08:36I want to advise someone.
08:37The only thing is that,
08:38please do your work in your craft.
08:40And networking is not going to happen.
08:42You want to be physically fit or mentally fit
08:43is very, very, very important.
08:45But gym is not the only option.
08:46If you show a certain look,
08:47then you will work in your performance.
08:49You should just work on your craft.
08:52It is very important.
08:53In today's time,
08:54you only see good actor and good performance.
08:55Because of digital,
08:57because of all the new shows and new film,
08:59now we only thrive for good acting.
09:01Just work on your craft.
09:02You don't have to do anything with networking,
09:04you don't have to do anything with socializing,
09:04you don't have to do anything with socializing,
09:05you don't have to do anything with extra nice.
09:09Just work on your craft.
09:10And please welcome,
09:11if you really want to make it happen.
09:13Don't just do it,
09:14that someone has told me,
09:15that someone has told me,
09:16that I want to get into acting.
09:17What you really want to do with,
09:18please figure out whether you want to do it
09:20or you're doing it
09:20because you've seen other people
09:22are doing it for glamour world.
09:23It's a very sincere, serious job acting.
09:26Just don't take it lightly.
09:27Can you tell us about
09:28the most unusual places
09:30where you've found talent?
09:31I think everywhere.
09:32I think I found Fatka,
09:34I was doing a wheelie.
09:37So I was doing a wheelie.
09:39So I followed him.
09:40Then I met his mother.
09:42And then we trained him.
09:43Then he did Children's Body
09:44and he got a national award for that film.
09:46I think Red Light,
09:47I think when you're in casting field,
09:49you meet so many people,
09:50so many places.
09:50When you go for a marriage,
09:52wedding,
09:53or go to someone's function,
09:55go to school,
09:56go to the rest,
09:56go to the cafe,
09:57go to the cafe.
09:57So you're in every place,
09:58where you're in every place,
09:58where you're in every place.
09:59Because subconsciously,
10:01you're only noticing people's personality.
10:04Because I'm working on so many films.
10:06So it was the most unusual for me
10:08when I found Badrangi Bajanika,
10:09Munni,
10:10I found so Lugurgaava,
10:11I found that girl.
10:13Children's Body Kid,
10:14I found the Red Light.
10:15I think Amish Saad,
10:16I found like on the road.
10:18So what I put you in.
10:19For me,
10:20Children's Body Kid,
10:21I'm super 30 kids,
10:23from the one very small NGO in Patna,
10:26from there we found.
10:27Can you talk about
10:28how OTT has changed
10:30the whole casting landscape in India?
10:32Yeah, because of OTT,
10:34so many new tel-actors
10:35who have the opportunity
10:36because of OTT, right?
10:37Now, Jadhi Pallavad and Vijay Gharman
10:39are also a very big star
10:40in today's time.
10:40I think OTT is also,
10:42because of OTT,
10:43we can give new actors,
10:45new writers,
10:46new young directors,
10:47new DOP,
10:48new editors.
10:48Because OTT's way,
10:50now people really look at acting
10:53in a very serious profession.
10:54Because I've just seen
10:55so many actors in today's time,
10:56they all are very liquid.
10:58Pratik Gandhi,
10:58Vijay Varma,
10:59Jadhi Pallavad,
11:00Pankit Palladhi,
11:00Jishan Nayyub,
11:01Rasekar Dugul,
11:02Amithas Bhash.
11:03They're great actors
11:04because of OTT.
11:04If they're not a film,
11:06if they're a film,
11:06if they're not a film,
11:07then they're not a big star.
11:09And new writers,
11:10new directors,
11:11because of OTT,
11:12you see so many young writers,
11:14so many young directors,
11:15young DOP,
11:16young production designers,
11:18so these are all
11:18of you from OTT's way.
11:19So the opportunity scale,
11:21is a big because of OTT.
11:23What are the five do's
11:25and five don'ts?
11:26that you would recommend
11:28to someone who wants
11:29to build a career as an actor?
11:31Don't try to impress anyone
11:32in this industry.
11:34Just focus on your craft
11:35and just maintain the dignity
11:37and respect is very,
11:38very, very important.
11:40Follow the professionalism
11:41and approach people
11:42during working hours
11:43and meet people only in office.
11:47This is what I always suggest
11:48on the actor.
11:49And just be absolutely honest
11:50when you're auditioning.
11:51Don't try to be someone else.
11:53Don't try to hide your age.
11:55Your experience
11:55from your age.
11:56Don't try to hide your age.
11:58And just be real.
11:59Don't change your personality.
12:00Be you.
12:01That's the only way
12:02I always tell everyone.
12:02Yes.
12:04Any tips when someone gets started,
12:06what should they do first?
12:08First thing they should do
12:09just theater.
12:10Because they don't focus
12:12directly on the stage.
12:12The first thing,
12:13they should just join
12:14some theater group.
12:15Maybe start with one play.
12:17At least understand
12:17whether they are made
12:18for this field or not.
12:19First, understand them.
12:20Very important.
12:21And maybe do some training.
12:24Do one workshop.
12:25Maybe one small acting core.
12:27Maybe some one play.
12:28At least start something.
12:30Don't directly jump into Bollywood.
12:32That's because you are on Instagram
12:33making reels and content creating.
12:36That's not acting.
12:37Thank you so much, Mukesh.
12:38It's been lovely speaking to you.
12:41Yeah, all the best.

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