Mukesh Chhabra

Mukesh Chhabra (born 27 May 1984) is an Indian casting director, filmmaker and actor. Some of his notable works include Bajrangi Bhaijan, 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).

Early life and education 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.

Career He started his career as an assistant casting director in 2006 with Rang De Basanti. In 2015, he was the casting director for Kabir Khan's Bajrangi Bhaijan, starring Salman Khan and Kareena Kapoor Khan. In the same year, he did the casting for Bombay Velvet, featuring Ranbir Kapoor, Anushka Sharma and Karan Johar.

Mukesh made his directorial debut with Dil Bechara in 2020, featuring Sushant Singh Rajput and Sanjana Sanghi. In 2020, he was the casting director for Scam 1992, directed by Hansal Mehta. In 2023, he did the casting for Commando by Vipul Amrutlal Shah. In the same year, he played a role in Atlee's Jawan, featuring alongside Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone.

In 2023, Chhabra also did the casting for Rajkumar Hirani's Dunki, starring Shah Rukh Khan, Taapsee Pannu, Vicky Kaushal and Boman Irani.

Filmography As casting director (select films) Rang De Basanti (2006) – Assistant Rockstar (2011) Bajrangi Bhaijaan (2015) Bombay Velvet (2015) Dangal (2016) Laila Majnu (2018) Laal Singh Chaddha (2022) Jawan (2023) Dunki (2023) Deva (2025) Dhurandhar (2025) Dhurandhar: The Revenge (2026) Kartavya (2026) Main Vaapas Aaunga (2026) Governor (2026) The Vvaan (2026) Ramayana Part 1 (2026)

Television Scam 1992 (2020) Commando (2023) Chamak (2023) Kafas (2023) Pritam and Pedro (2026)

As film director Dil Bechara (2020; also casting director; remake of 2014 English film The Fault in Our Stars and based on 2012 novel The Fault in Our Stars)

As actor Gangs of Wasseypur - Part 2 (2012) as Nawab Luv Shuv Tey Chicken Khurana (2012) as Lovely Te3n (2016) as Taariq Jawan (2023) as Health Minister's secretary Chamak (2023–2025) as Dimpy

Awards and nominations