From starting off as an independent casting director with a small budget film Chintuji to making his directorial debut with a Hindi remake of The Fault in Our Stars, Dil Bechara, Mukesh Chhabra has come a long way. The Delhi boy believed his instinct and begun his journey as a casting director having worked at Theatre in Education (TIE Company) and the National School of Drama in Delhi when was 19.
Chhabra did the casting for various films of different genres which includes movies like Kai Po Che, Shahid, Chennai Express, Jai Ho, Hasee To Phasee, Mastram and D-day. His recent film Delhi Crime was honoured at the Emmy Award and currently his bag is full of projects which are ready to be deployed.
In an exclusive conversation with Bollywood Life, Mukesh Chhabra spoke about how difficult it was to cast for Delhi Crime, his upcoming projects, his journey and how he deals with emotional outbursts of the actors who get rejected at auditions.
Congratulations for Delhi Crime's Emmy's win. Did you anticipate at any point of time while casting that the series would get nominated and bring home an international award?
Our main thought process whenever we cast for anything is that we need to give our best and put forward the best actors for the role. Me along with my casting team comprising of Siddharth Malik and Robin Singh Rathore worked really hard and gave it our best. While starting any project we always aim for the best outcome. The Emmy was a cherry on the cake so to say. We obviously knew that it was going to be a brilliant series. But I am always grateful and humbled when my work gets recognised.
Did you face any challenge while looking for actors in Delhi Crime since it is based on real life event.
Where do I start? Since it was a real life incident we had the added pressure to be sensitive while auditioning and also to be true to the real people who went through this personally. It was also a task to find real looking faces who are also good actor. We searched in every nook and corner. Each actor had to be spot on. But me and my team took up the challenge.
Do you think there's a need of stringent laws and punishment for rapists?
Yes, I think it's the need of the hour. Every person who cannot respect women needs to be severely punished.
Talking about Scam 1992, how did you visualise Pratik Gandhi for the titular character and normally how many times you take auditions while casting ?
I remember Pratik Gandhi from a role he previously played in an award winning film that my company cast for. He was a part of Loveyatri too alongside Aayush Sharma. He is Gujarati which is a plus point. I had him audition and I knew he had to play the part. If I really believe an actor is right for the part I will audition him/her until I get the right emotion I'm looking for.
Tell us about your upcoming projects - Laal Singh Chaddha, 83, Haathi Mere Saathi and Shaabaash Mithu.
I'm really thrilled for all of these projects to be out. Since some of them are real life stories, I had a blast during the casting process. I have a great line up of upcoming projects and can't wait for them to be announced.
Is there a formula or do you follow your instinct while selecting artists?
I have to say my instinct. And it has very rarely disappointed me. Once I find an actor that looks the part, half my job is done.
Do actors hold grudges against you when they face rejection at auditions? How do you deal with their emotional outburst?
I think people sometimes do not understand that we will only do what's best for the role/script. Sometimes actors take it personally when they are not selected. We only cast actors that best suit a particular role, it is nothing personal. It's absolutely fine when an actor rejects a role/audition. It is his/her choice. We look for the next best option, it's all a part of the process. I only focus on talent. And we thoroughly enjoy casting new faces and bringing to the screen untapped talent. This country is full of Actors and we as casting directors are surviving only because of talented actors.
Tell us about your journey so far in the industry.
I started taking up various projects when I came to Mumbai. At one point one of my mentors told me that I should take up casting as a business and set it up professionally cause I have a keen eye for it. I starting casting independently and then there was no looking back.
Are you taking your direction forward after Dil Bechara?
I am currently focusing on my casting right now. When I find the right script I'll take it up.
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