Who is Mukesh Chhabra? From working as a background dancer to becoming Bollywood's top casting director - All you need to know

Time of India

3 days ago

Mukesh Chhabra
, one of the most well-known casting directors in Bollywood, is grabbing headlines for his appearance on the reality show 'The Traitors'. Hosted by
Karan Johar
, the show has added a new twist to his journey, from behind the camera to being in the spotlight himself.
But before he became the man who shaped many acting careers, Mukesh had very humble beginnings.
From dancing for Rs 50 to sharing the screen
Mukesh once appeared on 'Indian Idol 15', where he shared a touching memory from his early days in the industry. During a fun chat with singer
Mika Singh
, he revealed just how far he had come. 'I worked as a background dancer for Mika Singh for just 50 rupees. He gave me my first opportunity, and I will always be grateful for that.
It's surreal to see how far we've both come, and I'm thrilled to be sharing the screen with him again," Mukesh shared.
This simple moment showed the strong bond between the two and reminded everyone of Mukesh's long journey from background dancer to a casting expert.
Theatre roots and years of hard work
As per IMDb, Mukesh spent two years training in acting at Shri Ram Centre. After that, he worked with the 'Theatre in Education' Company (TIE), which is linked with the National School of Drama in India.
For nine years, he acted and taught there, learning the ins and outs of performing and storytelling.
In 2008, he started his own company, Mukesh Chhabra Casting Company (MCCC). In just a few years, MCCC became one of the best casting companies in India and started working with clients from around the world.
The man behind Bollywood's fresh faces
With over 15 years in the film industry, Mukesh has cast for more than 300 films, over 100 web series, and countless TV ads.
His most famous works include 'Bajrangi Bhaijaan' (2015), 'Dangal' (2016), 'Dil Bechara' (2020), 'Scam 1992' (2020), and 'Laal Singh Chaddha' (2022).
Mukesh has helped launch many actors who are now household names. These include
Rajkummar Rao
,
Sushant Singh Rajput
, Mrunal Thakur, Pratik Gandhi, Sanya Malhotra, and Fatima Sana Shaikh.
Mukesh has become the go-to person for for top directors like Rajkumar Hirani, Nitesh Tiwari, Imtiaz Ali,
Kabir Khan
, Aanand L.
Rai, Anurag Kashyap, and Hansal Mehta.
A new role on 'The Traitors'
In a surprising move, Mukesh stepped into the spotlight by joining the reality show 'The Traitors'. Known for its dramatic twists and mind games, the show brought out a different side of him. However, in a recent episode, Mukesh was eliminated from the show.
In an interview with ETimes after his exit, Mukesh opened up about what the show taught him. 'One of my biggest learnings from the show is that you really can't trust anyone—not even the people you eat, sit, or roam around with,' he said. 'You never know who's actually betraying you or who the real traitor is.'
Mukesh Chhabra's story is one of hard work, talent, and never giving up. From being paid Rs 50 as a background dancer to helping shape the future of Bollywood, his journey is inspiring.
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