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Khaleej Times
18 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Khaleej Times
Dubai could be the next big acting hub, says leading casting director Mukesh Chhabra
For someone who has spent his life helping others take centre stage, Mukesh Chhabra rarely seeks the spotlight. But when he enters a room, he doesn't need it. His energy does the work for him. He's warm, quick with a joke, and quicker still to notice what most people overlook — a flicker of doubt, a hint of potential, a person just beginning to believe in oneself. It's this understated superpower that has made him one of Indian cinema's most trusted casting directors. From breakout choices in Kai Po Che!, Gangs of Wasseypur, and Dangal to recent hits like Scam 1992, Laal Singh Chaddha, and Jawan, Chhabra is widely credited with reshaping how Bollywood discovers talent, consistently introducing fresh, unexpected faces who've gone on to become household names. Think Rajkummar Rao, Sanya Malhotra, Tripti Dimri, among many others. His company, Mukesh Chhabra Casting Company, has worked on over 300 films and hundreds of web series and commercials, redefining the role of the casting director from a behind-the-scenes, often mysterious, figure to a frontline creative force. But behind the successes, and the infectious laughter, is a story of someone who's been carrying more than he lets on. 'Humour is the only way to deal with stress,' says Chhabra, who was recently in Dubai to host his first acting workshop, JUST ACT, a seven-day masterclass co-led with Kabir Khan, the acclaimed director of the Salman Khan-starrer Bajrangi Bhaijaan. One of the most sought-after casting directors in Bollywood, Chhabra works in a space where every decision carries weight, shaping lives and dreams in ways one can only fathom. 'The stress, the tension... My work comes with immense responsibility. People come to me with hope in their eyes. If I show them my heaviness, I'll end up taking something from them. And that's not fair.' He may work in one of the most competitive film industries in the world, but he refuses to pass on the burden. 'I've been through my share of grief,' he says, with a softer voice. 'And it doesn't go away. It just changes shape. Sometimes it's loud. Sometimes it sits in the corner of the room. But it's always there. You learn to walk with it.' Chhabra never once considered stepping away. Not when he lost his lead actor and close friend Sushant Singh Rajput weeks before the release of his debut directorial, Dil Bechara. Not even when he lost his mother, Kamla Chhabra, in 2023. Through it all, he's continued to show up — to classes, to auditions, to crowded rooms filled with nervous newcomers. He's kept nurturing young talent, kept laughing with them, kept believing in the magic of fresh starts. 'I think the only thing that saved me was work. I love it so much. I have never taken a vacation in my life. Not because I couldn't, but because I never felt the need. This is my holiday. I rest through work. It's what keeps me alive.' Hunger to do more But if you think he's driven purely by ambition, you'd be mistaken. Because what guides him isn't just his hunger to do more, but also his intuition. A quiet, almost spiritual kind of gut instinct that's only sharpened over time. 'In this world of reels and filters and likes, it's so easy to get lost,' he says. 'Everyone's trying to be seen. But very few are actually listening to their gut. That inner voice? It's still the most honest thing you have.' He says he protects his intuition like it's a fragile heirloom. And perhaps it is. In an industry where voices get shaped, smoothed, and sometimes jaded by the machinery, Chhabra stays rooted by surrounding himself with people who knew him before the fame. His old friends. His family. People who see him, not his filmography. 'The moment your circle keeps changing, your gut gets diluted. You forget who you are. And in this line, if you forget that, you've lost everything.' It's this clarity that informs his casting choices too. He reads a script again and again until the characters feel like people he knows. Then, and only then, does he begin imagining who can carry that truth on screen. 'I don't go by faces. I go by feeling. Sometimes someone walks into the room and surprises me. I can't explain it. But I know they're right. That's the magic of it. The surprise.' When asked what he's usually looking for in an audition as a casting director, he's quick to respond, 'The truth is, the more honest someone is in an audition, the more powerful it is. Even if they mess up lines. Honesty moves people. That's what I'm always chasing.' The Dubai factor Recently, that search brought him to Dubai, where he conducted an acting workshop that left him unexpectedly inspired. He was taken aback by how much raw, untrained talent exists here and how little of it has access to platforms that could truly nurture it. He envisions a future where Dubai becomes a casting destination in its own right. Not an extension of Mumbai, but a new, parallel space where stories from this region can take centre stage. And he doesn't want to wait. 'There's a massive gap,' he says. 'I want to do so much more in Dubai. I want to come back, host a full-fledged masterclass, maybe even collaborate with local theatre groups. This isn't just a one-off visit. It feels like the beginning of something long-term.' Lastly, when asked about one faux pas an aspiring actor should never commit, Chhabra doesn't mince his words. 'Don't ask me 'When will I get the part?'' he says, smiling but firm. 'That's not how this works. You're not here to chase roles, you're here to chase honesty. If you're doing it just to be picked, you'll lose the joy of the process. The right part will come when you're ready, but you can't force it.' Because, after all, 'You don't need to be perfect,' says Chhabra. 'Acting is not about showing off. It's about showing up. Just show up with your truth. That's all I need to see.'
Pink Villa
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
'Deepika Padukone gets more than a lot of male actors': Director Kabir Khan backs her amid Sandeep Vanga's Spirit controversy
Deepika Padukone created quite a stir after her fallout with Sandeep Reddy Vanga over her demand for an 8-hour shift. The industry has since then been divided, and many have come out in support of the actress. The recent one being Kabir Khan, who has voiced his support for the Piku star and her demands. He also revealed that even actors like Aamir Khan and Akshay Kumar work on an 8-hour shift. What did Kabir Khan say about Deepika Padukone's 8-hour shift demand? Talking to Movified, Kabir Khan emphasized the importance of work-life balance in their field. He revealed working with 500 members who have their own families and their own lives. He stated that their well-being matters for two reasons: mental health and efficiency. Backing Deepika Padukone's demand for an 8-hour shift, he called it a 'fair point'. 'Aamir Khan works on an 8-hour shift. Akshay Kumar too. So I don't see why Deepika should be denied the same,' said the Chandu Champion director. He also dismissed the notion that filmmaking comes with a cost to personal life. According to the filmmaker, the work should have a structure. He revealed that he had never shot beyond 12 hours, never worked overtime, and never worked on the 7th day of the week. 'These are basic rules.' Furthermore, Khan also stated that everyone has the right to set their own terms, which suit them. He concluded by saying, 'If a filmmaker doesn't agree, they should have a valid reason. It's that simple.' What did Kabir Khan say about Deepika Padukone's pay demand? Deepika Padukone had reportedly also demanded Rs 25 crore for Spirit, which again did not land well with Vanga. When asked about the reason behind male actors being paid more. Kabir called it a misunderstood argument. He stated that the Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani actress gets paid more than a lot of male actors. 'Whoever brings in the viewers, whether it's an actor, director, man or woman… they deserve to be paid what they're worth. Deepika consistently pulls crowds, so she rightly commands the fee she does,' he stated. On the work front, it was recently announced that Deepika Padukone has come on board Atlee and Allu Arjun's next AA22 X A6. From the looks of the announcement video, it seems she will play a warrior princess in the same.
Time of India
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
FWICE urges Indian Film Industry to boycott Turkey as shooting destination over diplomatic concerns
The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE), representing 36 crafts of workers, technicians, and artists in the Indian media and entertainment sector, has issued a strong appeal to all Indian film producers and industry professionals to avoid Turkey as a filming location. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The appeal comes in response to Turkey's continued diplomatic support of on issues that directly affect India's national interests. Citing the principle that 'Nation Comes First,' FWICE emphasized that recent geopolitical developments and Turkey's position in international forums have raised serious concerns about the country's alignment with India's sovereignty and security. In an official statement, FWICE said, 'As an industry deeply rooted in Indian soil and culture, we cannot remain indifferent to actions that undermine our nation's dignity or security. It is not in the best interest of our film fraternity to invest in or collaborate with countries that openly support positions contrary to India's core national values.' The federation has appealed to production houses, line producers, actors, directors, and crew members to stand in unity and refrain from shooting in Turkey until there is a clear shift in the country's diplomatic stance. The move, FWICE believes, is necessary to send a firm message that India's sovereignty and dignity are non-negotiable. FWICE, a longstanding pillar of support for the Indian film industry, reaffirmed its commitment to standing by the nation during critical moments. 'Our unity is our strength,' the statement read, 'and we trust the Indian film community will uphold this appeal in the larger interest of national integrity.' The call to action underscores the growing intersection of geopolitics and global filmmaking decisions, highlighting how cultural diplomacy can often reflect broader national sentiments. Kabir Khan recalls a haunting incident from the time he interviewed a Taliban member in Afghanistan: 'You think we are gone, we will be back'
