Mukesh Chhabra on Dhurandhar 2 Casting: Akshaye Khanna a True Artist, “Bade Sahab” Kept Secret for 1.5 Years
Mumbai: Casting director Mukesh Chhabra, widely praised for his work on Dhurandhar 2, recently spoke exclusively to NDTV about the painstaking casting process behind the film and his efforts to maintain secrecy around one of its most talked-about characters, “Bade Sahab.”
Keeping “Bade Sahab” a Secret
Chhabra revealed that maintaining the character’s identity was a deliberate and challenging decision.
“I kept a secret in my heart for almost one and a half years. It was very, very difficult,” he said. Despite constant speculation online, no one came close to guessing the actor behind the role.
The unexpected choice was Danish Iqbal, an NSD-trained actor and Chhabra’s senior. Chhabra explained that his priority was talent and impact rather than star power:
“Every day I would read new names. People were guessing all the big stars, and I would just laugh. No one could guess that we were going to come up with a completely different name.”
Akshaye Khanna’s Commitment
Chhabra also spoke about Akshaye Khanna’s involvement as Rehman Dakait, highlighting his craft-focused approach. Known for being highly selective, Khanna initially needed convincing.
“I told him, please come and hear the story first,” Chhabra recalled. Khanna, who resides in Alibaug, made the trip to Mumbai to listen to the narration in person.
“He came all the way, heard the story, and said it’s fantastic. We sent him the script, and the same day he read it and called me back saying, ‘It’s so good, I’m doing it,'” Chhabra said, praising the film’s writing for attracting top-tier talent.
He added that Khanna’s focus remains singular:
“He’s not bothered about anything else. He only wants to act, only thinks about the script. That’s what defines him.”
Assembling the Ensemble Cast
Chhabra credited director Aditya Dhar for trusting his vision and noted the challenges of bringing together multiple big stars in today’s film industry:
“Even getting two heroes together is difficult today, but here we brought together so many stars, and correctly,” he said.
The casting process also included fresh faces like Sara Arjun, who Chhabra described as a perfect fit due to her energy and lack of adult acting baggage:
“We needed a completely fresh face and energy among so many big stars,” he explained.
Despite numerous requests from actors wanting to join the project, Chhabra emphasized his priorities:
“I only focus on the script, the character, and the director’s brief. Actors today respect my process far more than they did a decade ago.”
Patience and Conviction Rewarded
The secrecy surrounding “Bade Sahab” and the careful casting choices have been widely applauded, which Chhabra sees as validation of his process:
“It’s a process built on patience, conviction, and a commitment to storytelling over stardom,” he said.
The success of Dhurandhar 2’s ensemble cast, including Arjun Rampal, R. Madhavan, Ranveer Singh, and Khanna, underscores Chhabra’s philosophy that strong writing and well-matched actors drive cinematic impact, even in roles with limited screen time.
