Latest news with #MukeshChhabra
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.'
News18
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- News18
The Traitors: Maheep Kapoor Calls Karan Johar's Show 'Mentally, Physically' Tiring
Last Updated: Maheep Kapoor said it is easy for viewers to judge the contestants as they already know who the traitors are. Week 2 of Prime Video's The Traitors was a wild ride, packed with twists, turns, and explosive exits. Maheep Kapoor and Ashish Vidyarthi were voted out in a fiery Circle of Shaq, the Traitors murdered Mukesh Chhabra, and Raftaar's shocking elimination followed a full-blown meltdown from Sufi Motiwala. While talking about the intense experience on the show, Maheep Kapoor said, 'We were mentally and physically very tired. And I've said it before, and I'm saying it again. It's very easy to sit in your living room and switch on the TV, and say… You guys know who the Traitors are, we didn't. It's very convenient to say, 'What are they doing? Why are they doing that?' It's a mind game. It's all psychological." Speaking about his shocking exit from the show, Raftaar added, 'I am toh quite happy, matlab yeh pehla aisa show hai, jisme exit hona bhi ijjat vali baat hai 'Yeh toh bada smart tha, isko nikalna zaroori tha.' Toh, it is a great thing. That is the format of the show I like." Ashish Vidhyarthi said, 'Yeh ek game hai, lekin yeh real life ko mimic karta hai. Real life mein bhi hum sochte hain ki hum samajdaar hain, lekin humein khud nahi pata chalta kab hum bhed chaal ka hissa ban jaate hain. So what you see in Traitors iss jo duniya me ho raha hai ki aapko lagta hai ki aap bohot samajhdar hai. And that's when the individual realises. So it was a masterclass in life for me." Reflecting on his experience on the show, Mukesh Chhabra said, 'Yeh reality show sabse alag hai. Jaise inhone show plan kiya hai, woh hi kamal ka hai. Jiske saath baith kar main abhi khana kha raha hoon, woh hi agle pal meri opinion badal deta hai, sirf ek plate lene jaate hi. Peeche mudh ke dekho toh sab badal chuka hota hai. Har second log ek doosre ke baare mein apna opinion badal rahe hain, wahi toh is show ka asli khel hai." Produced by BBC Studios India Productions, Prime Video brings the Indian adaptation of IDTV's BAFTA and Emmy award-winning global format, The Traitors, in collaboration with All3Media International. Episodes 1 to 6 of The Traitors are now streaming on Prime Video, with new episodes dropping every Thursday at 8 PM.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Who is Mukesh Chhabra? From working as a background dancer to becoming Bollywood's top casting director - All you need to know
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. The Traitors Review: Drama, Deception & Chaos Unfold
Time of India
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Mukesh Chhabra, known for casting roles in Gangs of Wasseypur & Dangal, says you can't trust anyone
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.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
"I groomed him—then he backstabbed me, opened his own company, I was shocked": Mukesh Chhabra shares real-life betrayal after 'The Traitors' exit
Mukesh Chhabra is no stranger to drama—he's the man behind the scenes, shaping some of the most powerful on-screen performances in Hindi cinema. As one of Bollywood's most respected casting directors, Mukesh has been instrumental in launching fresh talent and curating unforgettable ensembles for films like Gangs of Wasseypur , Dangal , Chhichhore , and Tamasha . He also made his directorial debut with Dil Bechara , the last film of the late Sushant Singh Rajput , which continues to hold a special place in the hearts of audiences. But in a surprising turn, Mukesh recently stepped into the spotlight in a completely different way—as a contestant on The Traitors , the Indian reality show hosted by Karan Johar . Known for its psychological twists and high-stakes betrayals, the show eliminated Mukesh in a recent episode, making him the latest to exit the game. In an exclusive interview with ETimes following his elimination, Mukesh opened up about the emotional aftermath of the show and how it echoed some painful moments from his own life. '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 shared. 'You never know who's actually betraying you or who the real traitor is.' When asked if he had ever experienced betrayal in real life, Mukesh didn't hold back. 'In real life, I've felt betrayed many times,' he admitted. 'But one instance that really hurt was during 'Dil Bechara'. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villa For Sale in Dubai Might Surprise You Villas in Dubai | Search ads Learn More Undo 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.' The pain in his voice is unmistakable—but so is his resilience. Even though he faced elimination early in the show, Mukesh says he'd return in a heartbeat if given a wildcard entry. '100%! Now I know how to play the game,' he said with a smile. Mukesh's experience on The Traitors wasn't just about gameplay—it became a mirror to deeper truths about trust, loyalty, and the unpredictability of human nature. And whether it's in cinema or real life, his journey continues to prove that even the most seasoned storytellers have chapters of pain, betrayal, and surprising lessons to share.
