Vedang Raina Next Breakout Star in Industry, Says Mukesh Chhabra

Renowned casting director Mukesh Chhabra recently appeared in an exclusive chat with IMDb. In this candid interview, Chhabra delves into the often untold stories behind his most remarkable casting decisions, sharing insights into his favourite projects, and the deep relationships he builds with actors.

When asked about actors whose casting surprised him, Chhabra revealed, “Every single character from Gangs of Wasseypur changed my life and everyone else's. Then there’s Munni from my favorite film Bajrangi Bhaijaan. To find Munni, I auditioned 10,000 kids. For the casting of Chillar Party, I needed one child who genuinely belonged to that background and had never acted in films. I found a boy named Irfan in the Lokhandwala red-light area; he was doing wheelies. I followed him, went to his house, and convinced his parents. I conducted a 10-day acting workshop with him, and then he starred in Chillar Party, for which he won a National Award.”

Chhabra also shared a behind-the-scenes story that has remained a secret until now. He said, “The Family Man was initially led by another actor, who said, 'I don’t want to do this show.' On the same day, we approached Manoj Bajpayee, and that's how The Family Man came to be. Now, we can’t imagine The Family Man without Manoj Bajpayee.”

On the topic of actors experiencing anxiety before a release, Chhabra said, “Mrunal Thakur was very anxious. Throughout all the films she has done, she has always reached out to me after Super 30, so we stay in constant touch and talk frequently. I was constantly in touch with Sushant Singh Rajput for all his films, whether I cast him or he worked with different production houses. I would always be there.”

When asked about the actor he looks up to, Chhabra responded, “I really look up to Manoj Bajpayee as an actor. The way he delivers his performances has surprised us in every film—whether it’s Shool, Satya, Joram, The Family Man, Kaun?, or Gangs of Wasseypur. He is a very interesting actor who has developed a unique acting style and who challenges himself every time. For many years now, I have genuinely looked up to Manoj Bajpayee as an actor. Of course, I also look up to my brother Irrfan Khan and Nawazuddin Siddiqui.”

When asked about emerging talent, Chhabra also expressed his excitement, stating, “I believe there are several actors poised for success. Vedang Raina, in particular, will break out in the industry. Over the next year, we will see many of these rising talents everywhere.”