Mukesh Chhabra is one of the most renowned casting directors in the film industry. In a new episode of Pinkvilla’s podcast, he opened up about the casting process of different filmmakers. He revealed how he fought a lot with Hansal Mehta, how Imtiaz Ali gave wrong stories and how Rajkumar Hirani was very clear about his demands.
Mukesh Chhabra talks about the casting process of Hansal Mehta, Imtiaz Ali and Rajkumar Hirani
In an exclusive conversation with Pinkvilla, Mukesh Chhabra spoke about the role he got from Hansal Mehta during the casting process. He said, “We both respect each other a lot for our work, love each other, fight and quarrel.”
Talking about their equation, Chhabra said, “Sabse jaata ladaiyan kisi se hoti hogi wo Hansal sir se hi hoti hai meri. Aur his brief is that, ‘Tune dekh liya na.’ Aur woh jo bolte hain naa tune dekh liya wo jo pressure hota hai naa bahut zyada tension wala hota hai. (The most fights I have had with someone would have been with Hansal sir. And his brief is, ‘Tumne dekh hai na.’ And when he says that, you feel a lot of tension).”
He said that Hansal Mehta never gave him any direct instructions and asked him to think differently and uniquely.
Watch the full interview here!
Talking about Imtiaz Ali, Mukesh Chhabra said, “Imtiaz Ali jo bhi brief dete hain na unke andar bahut zindaar mohabbat hoti hai. Woh ek chahe chota sa bhi role ho na uski bhi ek bahut pyaari kahani bataye hain (Whatever brief Imtiaz Ali gives, there is a lot of love in it. Even if it is a small role, he tells a very lovely story about it).”
He told that Imtiaz would tell him the whole story of any character, even if he had only one scene.
Mukesh Chhabra told about Rajkumar Hirani, “Raju sir has a very specific brief. He has a picture in his mind that his height will be this much, he will wear glasses. Raju sir has a very specific brief. He has a picture in his mind that his height will be this much, he will wear glasses. His physical description is very clear.”
Chhabra further added that the filmmakers would give him exact physical details according to which the casting was done.