IFFI 2025: सुशांत को यादकर इमोशनल हुए मुकेश छाबड़ा: बोले- दिल बेचारा मेरी नहीं सुशांत की फिल्म, उसके साथ ही वो चली गई

The 9-day International Film Festival of India is being organized in Panaji, Goa. People from the film industry from all over the world are coming and showcasing their work in the 56th IFFI, which will run from 20-28 November.

Bollywood’s famous casting director Mukesh Chhabra has also become a part of it. He has set up a stall at IFFI to showcase his journey as a casting director. In a special conversation with Dainik Bhaskar, Mukesh has talked about the motive behind setting up the stall in IFFI and his casting journey.

Besides, he also talked about his directorial debut film ‘Dil Bechara’ made with late actor Sushant Singh Rajput. During this he was seen becoming emotional. Read the main excerpt of the interview…

You have attended IFFI 2025. Your stall is also set up. What kind of experience is it?

Feels good. My objective of setting up a stall in IFFI is that people from foreign countries also come here. Let them know how Indian casting directors work. It is very important to deliver your work to those people.

IFFI is a place where you meet new people. That’s why I have set up the stall so that people know how many years I have been working. I have been working in the industry for 18 years. Casting is a responsible job. I want people to know my work globally.

You are the first casting director who is internationally registered. The credit goes to you for popularizing the term casting director among the people. How do you see it?

I never thought that because of me the term casting director would become popular among people. I felt that people were not taking this job seriously. I tried to do my work from my heart. When you keep working, you don’t know where you have to reach. You just have to do your work diligently.

I am very happy that people now take this work seriously. The term casting director is getting so much respect. Along with me, many other people are moving forward in this profession. Today the job of casting director has been established as a full-fledged career. I didn’t know that life would bring me this far.

Your first directorial film ‘Dil Bechara’ is very close to your heart. What are the memories?

Only Sushant comes to my mind regarding this film. I always say that ‘Dil Bechara’ is not left for me. It is Sushant’s film, it went with him.

‘Dil Bechara’ is dedicated only to Sushant. This film is about and around Sushant. ‘Dil Bechara’ was also made because of Sushant. This is only for Sushant.

After that film you did not direct any other film. Why did your direction work stop?

I don’t think it has stopped. In between I was preparing to make a film but I lost my mother. Life came to a halt again. Then the casting work increased so much that the responsibility increased. Meanwhile, I did many projects like Dhurandhar, King, Ramayan, Tere Ishq Mein, Border-2, Romeo, Delhi Files-3, Family Man-3, Maharani.

I became very busy with these projects. I was doing a workshop. I thought that whatever is going on in life right now, let’s continue it. When I get time and life automatically takes me in that direction, then I will make a film.

You are not limited to just casting. You are conducting a workshop called Khidkiyaan for new actors. How did this idea come to you?

I felt that actors who are not getting opportunities in cinema can at least work in drama. I am producing everyone’s play so that people can come and watch the play for free. I believe that one should keep doing something.

I tell people if you want to make a short film, make it, I will give you money. Just keep working and persevere.

Apart from India, Mukesh also organizes workshops in foreign countries.

Giving opportunity to new people. Where does the courage and energy to continue working come from?

I think when you come from a poor home, you get used to working every day. My father used to work at a place and also did private work in the evening. The intensity that was there in him is there in me.

I think work 24 hours a day. If you don’t work you won’t get food. If you want to move forward, you will have to work every day.