Mukesh Chhabra, known for casting roles in Gangs of Wasseypur & Dangal, says you can't trust anyone

Time of India

4 days ago

Mukesh Chhabra
, known for casting roles in films like
Gangs of Wasseypur
,
Dangal
, and Chhichhore, has been eliminated from the Indian reality show
The Traitors
. The show, hosted by
Karan Johar
, is known for its strategic twists and psychological turns. Mukesh, also the director of
Dil Bechara
, was recently voted out, making him one of the latest contestants to exit the competition.
From behind the scenes to centre stage
Mukesh Chhabra has worked behind the scenes for years in the Hindi film industry. As a casting director, he has helped discover new talent and build strong ensembles for major films. In 2020, he directed Dil Bechara, the last film of actor Sushant Singh Rajput.
Stepping into a new role, Mukesh joined The Traitors, a reality show that requires players to detect betrayal and deception among themselves. His exit from the show offered a moment of reflection, both on-screen and off-screen.
'You really can't trust anyone'
Speaking to ETimes after his elimination, Mukesh said the experience left a lasting impact.
'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.'
Live Events
When asked if this applied to real life, Mukesh shared a personal story from the time he was directing Dil Bechara.
'In real life, I've felt betrayed many times,' he said. 'But one instance that really hurt was during Dil Bechara. I had entrusted one of my casting assistants to look after my company while I was away making the film. When I returned, I found he had taken away all my data and secretly opened his own casting company. I was shocked. I had literally groomed that child in front of me. It felt like a stab in the back.'
Willing to return if called back
Despite the emotional experience and early exit, Mukesh says he would be ready to return to The Traitors.
'100%! Now I know how to play the game,' he said.
His time on the show, while short, became a chance to confront past experiences of betrayal and reflect on trust and human behaviour. Whether in front of the camera or behind it, Mukesh Chhabra continues to navigate the stories and challenges that come with both cinema and real life.