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{{short description|Indian filmmaker and actor}}
{{short description|Indian casting director}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2023}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2023}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name              = Mukesh Chhabra
| name              = Mukesh Chhabra
| image              = Mukesh_Chhabra.jpg
| image              = The Casting Director Mukesh Chhabra at the Master Class on Characterisation and Casting for Cinema, during the 48th International Film Festival of India (IFFI-2017), in Panaji, Goa on November 25, 2017.jpg
| caption            =  
| caption            = Chhabra in 2017
| birth_date        = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1980|05|27}}
| birth_date        = {{birth date and age|df=y|1984|05|27}}
| years_active      = 2000{{endash}}present
| birth_place        = Delhi, India
| birth_place        = [[Mumbai]], [[Maharashtra]], India
| years_active      = 2006–present
| alma_mater        = [[University of Delhi]]
| occupation        = {{hlist|[[Casting director]]|Filmmaker|Actor}}
| occupation        = [[Actor]], [[Casting director]], Acting workshop director
| known_for          = {{ubl|''[[Dil Bechara]]'' (2020)|''[[Jawan (film)|Jawan]]'' (2023)|''[[Bajrangi Bhaijaan]]'' (2015)|''[[Bombay Velvet]]'' (2015)|''[[Rockstar (2011 film)|Rockstar]]'' (2011)}}
| other_names        =  
| alma_mater        = [[National School of Drama]]
| website            = http://www.mccc.in
}}
}}
'''Mukesh Chhabra'''<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/my-directorial-debut-a-love-story-mukesh-chhabra/|title=My directorial debut a love story: Mukesh Chhabra|date=2016-01-23|work=The Indian Express|access-date=2017-10-06|language=en-US}}</ref> (born 27 May 1980) is an Indian film [[Film director|director]], [[casting director]], acting workshop director, and [[actor]] who has cast several actors for movies including director [[Vikas Bahl]]'s [[Chillar Party]], [[Anurag Kashyap]]'s [[Gangs of Wasseypur]], [[Abhishek Kapoor]]'s [[Kai Po Che]] and [[Nikhil Advani]]'s [[D-Day (2013 film)|D-Day]]. Mukesh has now started his new office at Delhi for all the aspiring actors from Delhi NCR and north region.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://bollywoodgaliyara.com/2020/02/mukesh-chhabras-casting-company-comes-to-delhi/|title=Mukesh Chhabra’s Casting Company comes to Delhi|date=2020-02-21|work=Bollywoood Galiyara|access-date=2020-02-21|language=en-US}}</ref>


In 2020, Chhabra has made his directorial debut with ''[[Dil Bechara]]'', a remake ''[[The Fault in Our Stars (film)|The Fault in Our Stars]]'' featuring [[Sushant Singh Rajput]] is the leading role and music composed by [[A. R. Rahman]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/sushant-singh-rajput-locked-for-the-fault-in-our-stars-remake/story-JCrcSNgYSTClBe5fCvCR6J.html|title=Sushant Singh Rajput locked for The Fault In Our Stars remake|date=2017-10-06|work=hindustantimes.com/|access-date=2017-10-06|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/mukesh-chhabra-fired-from-kizzie-aur-manny-sushant-singh-rajput-5408693/|title=Mukesh Chhabra suspended as director of Kizzie Aur Manny amid sexual harassment allegations|date=19 October 2018}}</ref>  
'''Mukesh Chhabra''' (born 27 May 1984) is an Indian casting director, filmmaker and actor.<ref name="auto2">{{Cite web |title=Mukesh Chhabra announces his 2nd film as director after 'Dil Bechara' {{!}} Exclusive |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/bollywood/story/mukesh-chhabra-casting-director-all-set-to-direct-his-second-film-to-go-on-floors-in-2024-after-sushant-singh-rajput-dil-bechara-chamak-2466174-2023-11-22 |access-date=21 December 2023 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref><ref name="auto3">{{Cite web |date=14 June 2023 |title=Exclusive Interview {{!}} Meet casting director Mukesh Chhabra, the man who found Sushant Singh Rajput |url=https://www.financialexpress.com/life/entertainment-meet-casting-director-mukesh-chhabra-the-man-who-found-actors-like-rajkummar-rao-sanya-malhotra-sushant-singh-rajput-2968715/ |access-date=21 December 2023 |website=Financialexpress |language=en}}</ref> Some of his notable works include [[Bajrangi Bhaijaan|''Bajrangi Bhaijan'']] (2015), ''[[Bombay Velvet]]'' (2015), ''[[Dangal (2016 film)|Dangal]]'' (2016), ''[[Dil Bechara]]'' (2020), ''[[Scam 1992]]'' (2020), ''[[Laal Singh Chaddha]]'' (2022), [[Commando (TV series)|''Commando'']] (2023), ''[[Jawan (film)|Jawan]]'' (2023), ''[[Dunki (film)|Dunki]]'' (2023), [[Chamak (web series)|''Chamak'']] (2023),  ''[[Kafas (TV series)|Kafas]]'' (2023), ''[[Dhurandhar]]'' (2025) and ''[[Dhurandhar: The Revenge]]'' (2026).<ref name="auto5">{{Cite web |date=20 October 2023 |title=Mukesh Chhabra says there were fights between him and Atlee for the first two months over casting for Jawan: 'It was very difficult' |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/mukesh-chhabra-says-there-were-fights-between-him-and-atlee-for-the-first-two-months-over-casting-for-jawan-it-was-very-difficult-8992434/ |access-date=21 December 2023 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref><ref name="auto1">{{Cite web |title=Mukesh Chhabra says Shah Rukh Khan's Dunki will be remembered for next 10 years |url=https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/bollywood/news-mukesh-chhabra-says-shah-rukh-khans-dunki-will-remembered-for-next-10-years-662017 |access-date=21 December 2023 |website=WION |language=en-us}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Bureau |first=ABP News |date=4 April 2023 |title=From Kai Po Che To Dangal: Top 5 Films That Mukesh Chhabra Did Absolute Justice |url=https://news.abplive.com/entertainment/movies/from-kai-po-che-to-dangal-top-5-films-that-mukesh-chhabra-did-absolute-justice-in-terms-of-casting-1593143 |access-date=21 December 2023 |website=news.abplive.com |language=en}}</ref>


== Early life ==
== Early life and education ==
Chhabra graduated from [[University of Delhi|Delhi University]] with an acting diploma from the [[Shri Ram Centre for Performing Arts]]. He completed a six-year acting and teaching stint with the ‘Theatre in Education’ Company (TIE) affiliated with the [[National School of Drama]] in India.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/theatre-of-dreams/1158827/|title=Theatre of Dreams - Indian Express|date=2013-08-23|publisher=Archive.indianexpress.com|accessdate=2014-06-08}}</ref> Chhabra is based in Mumbai.
He was born in Delhi in 1984. He studied acting at the [[Shri Ram Centre for Performing Arts]]. He completed a six-year acting and teaching stint with the ‘Theatre in Education’ Company (TIE) affiliated with the [[National School of Drama]] in New Delhi.<ref name="auto4">{{Cite web |date=17 January 2016 |title=Meet Mukesh Chhabra, the man who discovers actors who critics love |url=https://www.mid-day.com/sunday-mid-day/article/meet-mukesh-chhabra--the-man-who-discovers-actors-who-critics-love-16869199 |access-date=21 December 2023 |website=Mid-day |language=en}}</ref>


== Career ==
== Career ==
Chhabra came to Mumbai in 1997 and worked as an Assistant Casting Director before setting up his own casting company. His first film as independent casting director was the small budget film Chintuji..
He started his career as an assistant casting director in 2006 with ''[[Rang De Basanti]]''.<ref name="auto4"/> In 2012, he played a cameo in [[Anurag Kashyap]]'s [[Gangs of Wasseypur – Part 2]], which also featured [[Nawazuddin Siddiqui]] and [[Manoj Bajpayee]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=17 June 2023 |title=Mukesh Chhabra reveals funny tale of his 'dance-only role' in 'Gangs of Wasseypur' |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/mukesh-chhabra-reveals-funny-tale-of-his-dance-only-role-in-gangs-of-wasseypur/articleshow/101065933.cms?from=mdr |access-date=21 December 2023 |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> In 2015, he was the casting director for [[Kabir Khan (director)|Kabir Khan]]'s ''[[Bajrangi Bhaijaan|Bajrangi Bhaijan]],'' starring [[Salman Khan]] and [[Kareena Kapoor Khan]].<ref name="auto">{{Cite news |date=29 November 2023 |title=Mukesh Chhabra worked as back-up dancer initially while in Delhi |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/mukesh-chhabra-worked-as-back-up-dancer-initially-while-in-delhi/articleshow/105594584.cms?from=mdr |access-date=21 December 2023 |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> In the same year, he did the casting for ''[[Bombay Velvet]]'', featuring [[Ranbir Kapoor]], [[Anushka Sharma]] and [[Karan Johar]].<ref name="auto"/> In 2016, he did the casting for [[Nitesh Tiwari]]'s [[Dangal (2016 film)|''Dangal'']], starring [[Aamir Khan]], who also produced the film.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1 July 2023 |last=Kaushal |first=Ruchi |title=Mukesh Chhabra: Gangs of Wasseypur script had so long that I had to cast 384 actors to create a new world |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/mukesh-chhabra-on-gangs-of-wasseypur-casting-nepotism-star-kids-101688116681615.html |access-date=21 December 2023 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Dangal to Shubh Mangal Saavdhan: Here's how perfect casting creates blockbusters |url=https://zeenews.india.com/bollywood/dangal-to-shubh-mangal-saavdhan-here-s-how-perfect-casting-creates-blockbusters-2484930.html |access-date=21 December 2023 |website=Zee News |language=en}}</ref> 


Subsequently, Chhabra did the casting for films of different genres like Kai Po Che, [[Shahid (film)|Shahid]], [[Chennai Express]], [[Jai Ho (film)|Jai Ho]], [[Hasee Toh Phasee|Hasee To Phasee]], [[Mastram]] and D-day<ref>{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news-interviews/D-Day-Its-gripping-and-has-gravitas/articleshow/21141280.cms/|title='D-Day': It's gripping and has gravitas - The Times of India|author=|date=2013-07-19|publisher=Timesofindia.indiatimes.com|accessdate=2014-06-09}}</ref> Apart from films, he's also done casting for TVCs. In his career, Chhabra has employed several unconventional casting methods. For example, he spotted the budding actor Irfan Khan, who played the character 'Fatka' in the film Chillar Party, on the streets of Mumbai.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blogs.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/one-for-the-balcony/meet-casting-director-mukesh-chhabra-the-man-behind-films-like-gangs-of-wasseypur-shahid-highway/|title=Meet casting director Mukesh Chhabra: The man behind films like Gangs of Wasseypur, Shahid, Highway &#124; Times of India Blogs|author=|date=|publisher=Blogs.timesofindia.indiatimes.com|accessdate=2014-06-09}}</ref> Chhabra's democratic style of auditioning has previously invited nuisance value from potential actors.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/casting-director-mukesh-chhabra-gets-threat-calls/article1-929216.aspx/ |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2014-06-09 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120915173259/http://www.hindustantimes.com/Entertainment/Bollywood/Casting-director-Mukesh-Chhabra-gets-threat-calls/Article1-929216.aspx |archivedate=2012-09-15 }}</ref>
Mukesh made his directorial debut with ''[[Dil Bechara]]'' in 2020, featuring [[Sushant Singh Rajput]] and [[Sanjana Sanghi]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Dil Bechara Director Mukesh Chhabra On Sushant Singh Rajput's Nature: "He Was An Oversensitive Person" |url=https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/dil-bechara-director-mukesh-chhabra-remembers-best-friend-sushant-singh-rajput-4632706 |access-date=21 December 2023 |website=NDTV.com}}</ref><ref name="auto2"/><ref>{{Cite web |date=24 December 2022 |title=Mukesh Chhabra recalls Sushant Singh Rajput was his first choice for Dil Bechara, says 'after that, I have never seen the film' |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/mukesh-chhabra-sushant-singh-rajput-first-choice-dil-bechara-never-seen-the-film-8342193/ |access-date=21 December 2023 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> In 2020, he was the casting director for ''[[Scam 1992]]'', directed by [[Hansal Mehta]].<ref name="auto3"/> In 2022, he did the casting for [[Advait Chandan]]'s ''[[Laal Singh Chaddha]]'', starring [[Aamir Khan]] and [[Kareena Kapoor Khan]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=3 December 2023 |title=Aamir Khan threw a party after Laal Singh Chaddha tanked at the box office, says Mukesh Chhabra |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/aamir-khan-threw-a-party-after-laal-singh-chaddha-tanked-at-the-box-office-says-mukesh-chhabra-101701510605472.html |access-date=21 December 2023 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=6 December 2023 |title=Mukesh Chhabra on 'Laal Singh Chaddha': 'Couldn't believe it was a disaster, but Aamir Khan threw a party because…' |url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/mukesh-chhabra-on-laal-singh-chaddha-couldnt-believe-it-was-a-disaster-but-aamir-khan-threw-a-party-because-13471052.html |access-date=21 December 2023 |website=Firstpost |language=en}}</ref> In 2023, he did the casting for [[Commando (TV series)|''Commando'']] by [[Vipul Amrutlal Shah]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Vipul Amrutlal Shah on casting a 'new face' in the form of Prem Parija for 'Commando' |url=https://www.indiaforums.com/article/vipul-amrutlal-shah-on-casting-a-new-face-in-the-form-of-prem-parija-for-commando_199062 |access-date=21 December 2023 |website=India Forums |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Commando Teaser: Adah Sharma, Vaibhav Tatwawadi, Shreya Singh Chaudhry, Amit Tigmanshu Dhulia, Sial, Mukesh Chhabra And Ishteyak Khan Starrer Commando Official Teaser {{!}} Entertainment – Times of India Videos |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/videos/entertainment/web-series/hindi/commando-teaser-adah-sharma-vaibhav-tatwawadi-shreya-singh-chaudhry-amit-tigmanshu-dhulia-sial-mukesh-chhabra-and-ishteyak-khan-starrer-commando-official-teaser/videoshow/102128353.cms |access-date=21 December 2023 |website=The Times of India |language=en}}</ref> In the same year, he played a role in [[Atlee (director)|Atlee]]'s ''[[Jawan (film)|Jawan]],'' featuring alongside [[Shah Rukh Khan]] and [[Deepika Padukone]].<ref name="auto5"/><ref>{{Cite news |date=3 December 2023 |title=Mukesh Chhabra: Shah Rukh Khan is the most gracious host |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/mukesh-chhabra-shah-rukh-khan-is-the-most-gracious-host/articleshow/105704435.cms?from=mdr |access-date=21 December 2023 |issn=0971-8257}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=11 September 2023 |title=Mukesh Chhabra reveals how mammoth cast of Shah Rukh Khan's Jawan fell in place: 160 actors and more than a year of prep |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/mukesh-chhabra-reveals-how-mammoth-cast-of-shah-rukh-khans-jawan-fell-in-place-160-actors-and-more-than-a-year-of-prep-8933300/ |access-date=21 December 2023 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>  
 
Actor [[Rajkummar Rao|Rajkumar Rao]] was chosen to play one of the leads for the film Kai Po Che only on Chhabra's insistence.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://movies.ndtv.com/bollywood/when-raj-kumar-yadav-faced-rejection-for-kai-po-che-337524/|title=When Raj Kumar Yadav faced rejection for Kai Po Che! - NDTV|date=2013-03-03|publisher=Movies.ndtv.com|accessdate=2014-06-09}}</ref> Rao's talent in the film won him critical acclaim and later Chhabra cast him in [[Shahid (film)|Shahid]] as the leading man.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.timeoutmumbai.net/film/features/interview-casting-director-mukesh-chhabra/|title=Film &#124; Raj Kumar &#124; Shahid|date=2013-10-09|publisher=Time Out Mumbai|accessdate=2014-06-09|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140608230919/https://www.timeoutmumbai.net/film/features/interview-casting-director-mukesh-chhabra/|archive-date=8 June 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>
In 2023, Chhabra also did the casting for [[Rajkumar Hirani]]'s [[Dunki (film)|''Dunki'']], starring [[Shah Rukh Khan]], [[Taapsee Pannu]], [[Vicky Kaushal]] and [[Boman Irani]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=13 December 2023 |title='Dunki' Casting Director Mukesh Chhabra Predicts Record-Breaking Success For The Shah Rukh Khan-Starrer Film |url=https://www.outlookindia.com/art-entertainment/-dunki-casting-director-mukesh-chhabra-predicts-record-breaking-success-for-the-shah-rukh-khan-starrer-film-news-336144 |access-date=21 December 2023 |website=Outlook}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Mukesh Chhabra reacts to fans' high expectations from Shah Rukh Khan, Rajkumar Hirani's Dunki: 'Yeh combination...' |url=https://www.dnaindia.com/bollywood/report-mukesh-chhabra-reacts-to-fans-high-expectations-from-shah-rukh-khan-rajkumar-hirani-s-dunki-3071410 |access-date=21 December 2023 |website=DNA India |language=en}}</ref><ref name="auto1"/> In the same year, he acted and did the casting for [[Rohit Jugraj Chauhan|Rohit Jugraj]]'s [[Chamak (web series)|''Chamak'']] and [[Subhash Kapoor]]'s [[Kafas (TV series)|''Kafas'']], featuring [[Mona Singh]] and [[Sharman Joshi]].<ref name="auto2"/><ref>{{Cite web |title=Exclusive! Mukesh Chhabra on Kafas: The show isn't about the entertainment industry, but... |url=https://www.ottplay.com/news/exclusive-mukesh-chhabra-on-kafas-the-show-isnt-about-the-entertainment-industry-but/01cd866fad707 |access-date=21 December 2023 |website=OTTPlay |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=13 July 2023 |title=Kafas actor Mona Singh says she's seen parents trying to realise their acting dreams through their kids: 'They quit their job…' |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/web-series/kafas-actor-mona-singh-parents-push-acting-dreams-through-children-8829862/ |access-date=21 December 2023 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>


== Filmography ==
== Filmography ==
=== Casting director ===
=== As casting director (select films) ===
{| class="wikitable"
* ''[[Rang De Basanti]]'' (2006) – Assistant
|-
* ''[[Rockstar (2011 film)|Rockstar]]'' (2011)
! Year !! Film
* ''[[Bajrangi Bhaijaan]]'' (2015)
|-
* ''[[Bombay Velvet]]'' (2015)
| rowspan="3" | 2011 || [[Yeh Faasley|''Yeh Faasle'']]
* ''[[Dangal (2016 film)|Dangal]]'' (2016)
|-
* [[Laila Majnu (2018 film)|Laila Majnu]] (2018)
|[[Force (2011 film)|''Force'']]
* ''[[Scam 1992]]'' (2020)
|-
* ''[[Laal Singh Chaddha]]'' (2022)
|[[Rockstar (2011 film)|''Rockstar'']]
* ''[[Commando (TV series)|Commando]]'' (2023)
|-
* ''[[Jawan (film)|Jawan]]'' (2023)
| rowspan="18" | 2013 || ''Amal''
* ''[[Dunki (film)|Dunki]]'' (2023)
|-
* ''[[Chamak (web series)|Chamak]]'' (2023)
|''[[Chintu Ji]]''
* ''[[Kafas (TV series)|Kafas]]'' (2023)
|-
* ''[[Deva (2025 film)|Deva]]'' (2025)
|[[Teen Thay Bhai|''Teen The Bhai'']]
* ''[[Dhurandhar]]'' (2025)
|-
* ''Main Vaapas Aaunga'' (2026)
|''[[Chillar Party]]''
* ''[[Dhurandhar: The Revenge]]'' (2026)
|-
* ''Ramayana Part 1'' (2026)<ref>{{Cite web |title=When Mukesh Chhabra revealed why he cast Ranbir Kapoor as Ram in Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/when-mukesh-chhabra-revealed-why-he-cast-ranbir-kapoor-as-ram-in-nitesh-tiwaris-ramayana-101752057188323.html |access-date=2025-07-09 |website=[[Hindustan Times]]}}</ref>
| ''Trishna''
|-
|[[Gangs of Wasseypur (film series)|''Gangs of Wasseypur'']]
|-
|[[Shahid (film)|''Shahid'']]
|-
|''[[Luv Shuv Tey Chicken Khurana]]''
|-
|[[I.D. (2012 film)|''I.D.'']]
|-
| ''Pehla Sitara''
|-
|[[Kai Po Che!|''Kai Po Che'']]
|-
|[[Ugly (film)|''Ugly'']]
|-
|''[[Monsoon Shootout]]''
|-
|[[D-Day (2013 film)|''D-Day'']]
|-
|''[[Chennai Express]]''
|-
| ''Siddharth''
|-
|''[[Mastram]]''
|-
|[[That Day After Everyday|''That Day After Every Day'']]
|-
| rowspan="6" | 2014 || [[Jai Ho (film)|''Jai Ho'']]
|-
|[[Hasee Toh Phasee|''Hasee to Phasee'']]
|-
|[[Highway (2014 Hindi film)|''Highway'']]
|-
|[[Bhoothnath Returns|''Bhootnath Returns'']]
|-
|[[Haider (film)|''Haider'']]
|-
|''[[Tamanchey]]''
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2015 || ''[[Bombay Velvet]]''
|-
|[[Tamasha (2015 film)|''Tamasha'']]
|-
| 2016 || ''[[Dangal (film)|Dangal]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://mumbaimirror.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/Meet-Aamir-Khans-wrestler-daughters/articleshow/47007245.cms|title=Meet Aamir Khan’s wrestler daughters|website=Mumbai Mirror}}</ref>''
|-
| 2017 || [[Tubelight (2017 Hindi film)|''Tubelight'']]
|-
| 2018 || ''[[Sanju]]''
|-
| 2019 || [[Bharat (film)|''Bharat'']]
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2020 || ''[[Dil Bechara]]''
|-
|''[[99 Songs]]''
|}


=== Acting workshop director ===
=== As film director ===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
* ''[[Dil Bechara]]'' (2020; also casting director)
|-
! Year !! Film
|-
| 2007|| ''Amal''
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2011|| [[Yeh Faasley|''Yeh Faasle'']]
|-
|''[[Chillar Party]]''
|-
| 2012|| ''[[Luv Shuv Tey Chicken Khurana]]''
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2013|| [[Kai Po Che!|''Kai Po Che'']]
|-
|''[[Aashiqui 2]]''
|-
| 2014|| ''[[Ek Villain]]''
|}


=== Actor ===
=== As actor ===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
* ''[[Gangs of Wasseypur - Part 2]]'' (2012) as Nawab
|-
* ''[[Luv Shuv Tey Chicken Khurana]]'' (2012) as Lovely
! Year !! Film !! Role
* ''[[Te3n]]'' (2016) as Taariq
!Notes
* ''[[Jawan (film)|Jawan]]'' (2023) as  Health Minister's secretary
|-
* ''[[Chamak (web series)|Chamak]]'' (2023–2025) as Dimpy
| 2006|| ''[[Rang De Basanti]]''|| Manmath Nath
|
|-
| 2007|| ''Amal''|| Subhash
|
|-
| 2008|| [[Hijack (2008 film)|''Hijack'']]|| Shakeel
|
|-
| 2009|| ''[[Kaminey]]''|| Guddu's friend
|
|-
| 2011|| ''[[Chillar Party]]''|| Panuti's Guest
|
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2012|| ''[[Gangs of Wasseypur – Part 2]]''|| Nawab
|
|-
|''[[Luv Shuv Tey Chicken Khurana]]''|| Lovely
|
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2013|| [[Vakratunda Mahakaaya|''Vakratunda Mahakaya'']]|| Man in the Bus
|
|-
|[[Siddharth (2013 film)|''Siddharth'']]|| Mukesh Bhai
|
|-
| rowspan="2" |2016 || [[I Don't Watch TV (web series)|''I Don't Watch TV'']]|| Himself
|
|-
|''[[Raman Raghav 2.0]]''|| Loan Shark
|
|-
|2018 || ''[[Rajma Chawal]]''|| Anoop Ji
|
|-
|2019
|''[[Fixerr]]''
|Agantuk
|Web series released on [[ALTBalaji]] and [[List of ZEE5 original web series|ZEE5]]
|}


=== Director ===
== Awards and nominations ==
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Year
!Award
!Category
!Result
!{{refh}}
|-
|-
! Year !! Film
|2016
|-
|[[Stardust Awards]]
| 2020 || ''[[Dil Bechara]]''
|Special Recognition to a Casting Director
|{{Won}}
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=Stardust Awards 2016: Complete List of Winners |url=https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/stardust-awards-2016-complete-list-of-winners-1257753 |access-date=21 December 2023 |website=NDTV.com}}</ref>
|}
|}


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{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


== External links ==
== External links==
* {{Official website|http://www.mccc.in/}}
*{{IMDb name|id=nm2535507}}{{DEFAULTSORT:Chhabra, Mukesh}}
*{{IMDb name|2535507}}
*{{Twitter|CastingChhabra}}
 
{{DEFAULTSORT:Chhabra, Mukesh}}
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:1980 births]]
[[Category:1984 births]]
{{India-film-bio-stub}}
[[Category:Indian casting directors]]
[[Category:Male actors from Delhi]]
[[Category:Hindi-language film directors]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian male actors]]
[[Category:Indian filmmakers]]

Latest revision as of 11:51, 26 March 2026


Mukesh Chhabra
Chhabra in 2017
Born (1984-05-27) 27 May 1984 (age 42)
Delhi, India
Alma materNational School of Drama
Occupation
Years active2006–present
Known for

Mukesh Chhabra (born 27 May 1984) is an Indian casting director, filmmaker and actor.[1][2] Some of his notable works include Bajrangi Bhaijan (2015), Bombay Velvet (2015), Dangal (2016), Dil Bechara (2020), Scam 1992 (2020), Laal Singh Chaddha (2022), Commando (2023), Jawan (2023), Dunki (2023), Chamak (2023), Kafas (2023), Dhurandhar (2025) and Dhurandhar: The Revenge (2026).[3][4][5]

Early life and education[edit | edit source]

He was born in Delhi in 1984. He studied acting at the Shri Ram Centre for Performing Arts. He completed a six-year acting and teaching stint with the ‘Theatre in Education’ Company (TIE) affiliated with the National School of Drama in New Delhi.[6]

Career[edit | edit source]

He started his career as an assistant casting director in 2006 with Rang De Basanti.[6] In 2012, he played a cameo in Anurag Kashyap's Gangs of Wasseypur – Part 2, which also featured Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Manoj Bajpayee.[7] In 2015, he was the casting director for Kabir Khan's Bajrangi Bhaijan, starring Salman Khan and Kareena Kapoor Khan.[8] In the same year, he did the casting for Bombay Velvet, featuring Ranbir Kapoor, Anushka Sharma and Karan Johar.[8] In 2016, he did the casting for Nitesh Tiwari's Dangal, starring Aamir Khan, who also produced the film.[9][10]

Mukesh made his directorial debut with Dil Bechara in 2020, featuring Sushant Singh Rajput and Sanjana Sanghi.[11][1][12] In 2020, he was the casting director for Scam 1992, directed by Hansal Mehta.[2] In 2022, he did the casting for Advait Chandan's Laal Singh Chaddha, starring Aamir Khan and Kareena Kapoor Khan.[13][14] In 2023, he did the casting for Commando by Vipul Amrutlal Shah.[15][16] In the same year, he played a role in Atlee's Jawan, featuring alongside Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone.[3][17][18]

In 2023, Chhabra also did the casting for Rajkumar Hirani's Dunki, starring Shah Rukh Khan, Taapsee Pannu, Vicky Kaushal and Boman Irani.[19][20][4] In the same year, he acted and did the casting for Rohit Jugraj's Chamak and Subhash Kapoor's Kafas, featuring Mona Singh and Sharman Joshi.[1][21][22]

Filmography[edit | edit source]

As casting director (select films)[edit | edit source]

As film director[edit | edit source]

As actor[edit | edit source]

Awards and nominations[edit | edit source]

Year Award Category Result Ref.
2016 Stardust Awards Special Recognition to a Casting Director Won [24]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Mukesh Chhabra announces his 2nd film as director after 'Dil Bechara' | Exclusive". India Today. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Exclusive Interview | Meet casting director Mukesh Chhabra, the man who found Sushant Singh Rajput". Financialexpress. 14 June 2023. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Mukesh Chhabra says there were fights between him and Atlee for the first two months over casting for Jawan: 'It was very difficult'". The Indian Express. 20 October 2023. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Mukesh Chhabra says Shah Rukh Khan's Dunki will be remembered for next 10 years". WION. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  5. ↑ Bureau, ABP News (4 April 2023). "From Kai Po Che To Dangal: Top 5 Films That Mukesh Chhabra Did Absolute Justice". news.abplive.com. Retrieved 21 December 2023. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Meet Mukesh Chhabra, the man who discovers actors who critics love". Mid-day. 17 January 2016. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  7. ↑ "Mukesh Chhabra reveals funny tale of his 'dance-only role' in 'Gangs of Wasseypur'". The Times of India. 17 June 2023. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "Mukesh Chhabra worked as back-up dancer initially while in Delhi". The Times of India. 29 November 2023. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  9. ↑ Kaushal, Ruchi (1 July 2023). "Mukesh Chhabra: Gangs of Wasseypur script had so long that I had to cast 384 actors to create a new world". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  10. ↑ "Dangal to Shubh Mangal Saavdhan: Here's how perfect casting creates blockbusters". Zee News. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  11. ↑ "Dil Bechara Director Mukesh Chhabra On Sushant Singh Rajput's Nature: "He Was An Oversensitive Person"". NDTV.com. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  12. ↑ "Mukesh Chhabra recalls Sushant Singh Rajput was his first choice for Dil Bechara, says 'after that, I have never seen the film'". The Indian Express. 24 December 2022. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  13. ↑ "Aamir Khan threw a party after Laal Singh Chaddha tanked at the box office, says Mukesh Chhabra". Hindustan Times. 3 December 2023. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  14. ↑ "Mukesh Chhabra on 'Laal Singh Chaddha': 'Couldn't believe it was a disaster, but Aamir Khan threw a party because…'". Firstpost. 6 December 2023. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  15. ↑ "Vipul Amrutlal Shah on casting a 'new face' in the form of Prem Parija for 'Commando'". India Forums. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  16. ↑ "Commando Teaser: Adah Sharma, Vaibhav Tatwawadi, Shreya Singh Chaudhry, Amit Tigmanshu Dhulia, Sial, Mukesh Chhabra And Ishteyak Khan Starrer Commando Official Teaser | Entertainment – Times of India Videos". The Times of India. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  17. ↑ "Mukesh Chhabra: Shah Rukh Khan is the most gracious host". The Times of India. 3 December 2023. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  18. ↑ "Mukesh Chhabra reveals how mammoth cast of Shah Rukh Khan's Jawan fell in place: 160 actors and more than a year of prep". The Indian Express. 11 September 2023. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  19. ↑ "'Dunki' Casting Director Mukesh Chhabra Predicts Record-Breaking Success For The Shah Rukh Khan-Starrer Film". Outlook. 13 December 2023. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  20. ↑ "Mukesh Chhabra reacts to fans' high expectations from Shah Rukh Khan, Rajkumar Hirani's Dunki: 'Yeh combination...'". DNA India. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  21. ↑ "Exclusive! Mukesh Chhabra on Kafas: The show isn't about the entertainment industry, but..." OTTPlay. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  22. ↑ "Kafas actor Mona Singh says she's seen parents trying to realise their acting dreams through their kids: 'They quit their job…'". The Indian Express. 13 July 2023. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  23. ↑ "When Mukesh Chhabra revealed why he cast Ranbir Kapoor as Ram in Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 9 July 2025.
  24. ↑ "Stardust Awards 2016: Complete List of Winners". NDTV.com. Retrieved 21 December 2023.

External links[edit | edit source]

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